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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. 


  • Dresses (garments) 132 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Main garments 31 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Entire Body 29 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dress, 1-Piece 16 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dress, 1-Piece; Entire Body; Main Dress; Female 11 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Gowns 8 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Costume 7 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • dress, 1-piece 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dress, 1-piece 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dress, 2-Piece; Entire Body; Main Dress; Female 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • African Americans 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Latin Americans 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Indians of North America 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Native Americans 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Asian Pacific Americans 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Chinese Americans 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Mexican Americans 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Romanies 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Spaniards 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1910s 9 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1920s 11 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1930s 6 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1940s 9 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1950s 14 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
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  • 1970s 12 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1980s 7 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 2000s 9 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 2010s 8 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • United States 52 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • New York 21 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • New York City 16 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • California 9 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • District of Columbia 6 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Los Angeles 6 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • France 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Paris 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Île-de-France 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Washington 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Home and Community Life: Costume 50 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing & Accessories 44 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Culture and the Arts: Entertainment 42 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of American History 26 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Popular Entertainment 23 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Political History: Political History, White House/First Ladies Collection 22 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • First Ladies 21 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Political History: Political History, First Ladies Collection 12 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Music & Musical Instruments 9 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Political History: Political History, General History Collection 7 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • First ladies 45 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Presidents' spouses 45 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing and dress 44 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dress accessories 44 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Women 37 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Amusements 25 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Inaugurations 19 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Music 18 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Theater 15 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Musical instruments 9 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Not determined 156 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • CC0 8 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Usage conditions apply 6 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus

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Paper Dress, Campbell's Soup Company

Dress worn by Phyllis Diller on Circus of the Stars

Cuban Flag Bata Cubana worn by Celia Cruz

Woman's Dress, 1789

Becky Sharp dress

Tennis Dress, worn by Billie Jean King during the "Battle of the Sexes"

Woman's Dress, 1936

Black dress worn by Rachel Brosnahan in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Frances Cleveland's Floral chine skirt and two bodices

Woman's Dress, 1968–69

Evening Dress, Oleg Cassini

Woman's Dress, 1750-1780

Woman's Dress, 1967

Dress worn by Diana Ross

Dress worn by Dustin Hoffman in the Film Tootsie

Woman's Dress, Wedding, 1847

Dress worn by Celia Cruz

Woman's Dress, 1860

Woman's Dress, 1945

Sequin Dress from Hulu series East Los High

Dress worn by Misty Copeland in "On the Town" for Broadway Debut

Prom Dress

Circa 1930 Women's Gown (cheong sam)

Reneé Fleming's Gown

Dress worn by Phyllis Diller

Concert Dress Worn By Phyllis Diller

Dress worn by Phyllis Diller in Hello, Dolly! on Broadway

Dress worn by Phyllis Diller in The Pruitts of Southampton

Hello, Dolly Dress

Hattie Carnegie Original Two-Piece Dress

dress for a squirrel; dress on cardboard hanger

Cuban Rumba Dress

"Hippie" Dress or Shirt

Woman's Dress, 2002

Feedsack Dress


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