Nancy Reagan's Inaugural Gown (back), 1981

Gift of Nancy Reagan

Nancy Reagan wore this white beaded one-shouldered sheath gown of lace over silk satin to the 1981 inaugural balls. It was designed by James Galanos, who also designed the one-shouldered white gown Mrs. Reagan wore to her husband’s first gubernatorial inaugural ball. In interviews, Galanos said that he wanted to make Mrs. Reagan look glamorous, “... elegant and in keeping with the new formality.”

Photo credit: Photo courtesy of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History