Skip to main content Skip to main navigation
heart-solid My Visit Donate
Home Smithsonian Institution IK development site for ODI
Press Enter to activate a submenu, down arrow to access the items and Escape to close the submenu.
    • Overview
    • Museums and Zoo
    • Entry and Guidelines
    • Museum Maps
    • Dine and Shop
    • Accessibility
    • Visiting with Kids
    • Group Visits
    • Overview
    • Exhibitions
    • Online Events
    • All Events
    • IMAX & Planetarium
    • Overview
    • Topics
    • Collections
    • Research Resources
    • Stories
    • Podcasts
    • Overview
    • For Caregivers
    • For Educators
    • For Students
    • For Academics
    • For Lifelong Learners
    • Overview
    • Become a Member
    • Renew Membership
    • Make a Gift
    • Volunteer
    • Overview
    • Our Organization
    • Our Leadership
    • Reports and Plans
    • Newsdesk
heart-solid My Visit Donate

Best Dressed: Fashion Trends and Famous Wearers

While the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is home to the renowned First Ladies' gown collection, dresses can be found throughout the Smithsonian's museums. These dresses reflect fashion trends, pop culture history, and their wearers. 


  • National Museum of African American History and Culture 43 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of the American Indian 19 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum 9 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of American History 6 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of African Art 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dresses (garments) 45 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Woman's dress 18 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing 17 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Costume 10 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Costume accessories 6 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Belts (costume accessories) 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Ensembles (costume) 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Child's dress 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dress, 1-Piece 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dress, 1-Piece; Entire Body; Main Dress; Female 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • African Americans 43 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Indians of North America 19 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Native Americans 19 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Plains Indians 15 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Northern Plains 6 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Absaroke Indians 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Assiniboine Indians 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dakota Indians 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Kiowa Indians 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Niitsitapii (Blackfoot/Blackfeet) 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1860s 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1870s 6 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1890s 9 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1900s 8 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1920s 6 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1950s 9 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1960s 13 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1970s 14 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1980s 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1990s 8 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • United States 32 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • North and Central America 31 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • New York City 19 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • USA 18 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • South Dakota 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • California 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Canada 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Oklahoma 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Washington 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • District of Columbia 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection 43 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing - Costume 25 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Black Fashion Museum Collection 21 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing - Fashion and Historical 19 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing/Garments 17 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum Collection 9 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Textiles Department 8 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 054 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Taking the Stage 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Musical Crossroads 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing and dress 45 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Design 32 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Costume 22 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Fashion 21 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Actors and actresses 15 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Women 15 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Singers (Musicians) 10 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Society 7 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Musical Theatre 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Sitcoms 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • CC0 48 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Usage conditions apply 32 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus

Filter Settings

Excluded:

  • Remove Rights & Restrictions: Not determined close

Ensemble associated with Marian Anderson's 1939 Lincoln Memorial concert

Dress designed by Tracy Reese and worn by the First Lady in connection with the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington

Dance staff; Necklace; Woman's dress; Woman's moccasins; Woman's underdress/slip

Woman's Battle Dress, worn by female relatives of warriors of the Ton-Kon-Ga (Kiowa Black Leggings Society)

Woman's ensemble

Red Starfleet uniform worn by Nichelle Nichols as Lt. Uhura on Star Trek

Yellow cocktail dress designed by Don Loper and worn by Ella Fitzgerald

Child's dress

Woman's dress

Woman's dress

Green velvet dress worn by Lena Horne in the film Stormy Weather

Costume worn by Flip Wilson as Geraldine

Peach dress and belt worn by Oprah Winfrey on The Oprah Winfrey Show

Dress designed by Ann Lowe

Dress designed by Ann Lowe

Dress designed by Ann Lowe

Dress worn by Celia Cruz

Dress worn by Isabel Sanford as Louise Jefferson on The Jeffersons

Dress designed by Ann Lowe

Dark grey velvet dress designed by Arthur McGee

Dress designed by Ann Lowe

Dress worn by Diahann Carroll on the television show Julia

Woman's dress

Woman's dress depicting Hunkpapa Lakota battles with the Arikara

Light grey wool dress designed by Arthur McGee

Grey balloon sleeve dress designed by Arthur McGee

Dress

Dress

Dress and belt worn by Marla Gibbs as Florence Johnston on The Jeffersons

Costume gown and petticoat for Evillene in The Wiz on Broadway

Satin gown worn by Marian Anderson and Denyce Graves

Costume dress and belt for Dorothy in The Wiz on Broadway

Brown and cream striped day dress from the Civil War era

Dress worn by Denyce Graves in Washington National Opera's production of Carmen

Wedding dress worn by Lollaretta Pemberton with veil and headpiece

Child's dress

Costume dress for Lady in Orange from for colored girls... on Broadway

Nurse's uniform dress worn by Pauline Brown Payne


  1. Current page 1
  2. Page 2
  3. Page 3
  4. Next page Next
  5. Last page Last
arrow-up Back to top
Home
  • Facebook facebook
  • Instagram instagram
  • LinkedIn linkedin
  • YouTube youtube

  • Contact Us
  • Get Involved
  • Shop Online
  • Job Opportunities
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Inspector General
  • Records Requests
  • Accessibility
  • Host Your Event
  • Press Room
  • Privacy
  • Terms of Use