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 American History 9 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of African American History and Culture 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of the American Indian 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of African Art 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dresses (garments) 12 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Entire Body 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Costume 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Costume accessories 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Main garments 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Gowns 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Red Dress 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Scarves (costume accessories) 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Sculpture 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • African Americans 3 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
  • Great Lakes 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Kiowa Indians 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Latin Americans 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Ojibwe Indians 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Plains Indians 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Woodland culture 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • United States 6 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • District of Columbia 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • New York 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • New York City 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Washington 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Argentina 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Caddo County 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • California 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Canada 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Chaco 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Culture and the Arts: Entertainment 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing & Accessories 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Home and Community Life: Costume 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of American History 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Popular Entertainment 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing - Costume 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum Collection 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Family & Social Life 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • First Ladies 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing and dress 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Amusements 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dress accessories 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Music 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Women 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Actors and actresses 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Costume 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Family 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • First ladies 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Inaugurations 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Not determined 12 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Usage conditions apply 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • CC0 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus

Filter Settings

Included:

  • Remove Date: 2000s close
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)

Forest Parade

Woman's Dress, 2002

Teal waitress uniform worn by Halle Berry in the film Monster's Ball

Michelle Obama’s Inaugural Gown, 2009

Dress

Dress, worn by Ruth Fernandez

Dress worn by Olga Guillot

Dress

Sculpture

Jingle Dress

Quinceanera dress

Costume worn by Beyoncé as Deena Jones in the film Dreamgirls

Bonita dress

Dress worn by Lucy Lawless in the role of Xena on the TV Series Xena: Warrior Princess

Dress from Grizabella costume used in the musical Cats

Laura Bush’s Inaugural Ball Gown, 2001  

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