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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. 


  • National Museum of American History 52 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of African American History and Culture 44 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • NMNH - Anthropology Dept. 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dresses (garments) 86 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Entire Body 22 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Main garments 21 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Costume 6 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dress, 1-Piece 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Ensembles (costume) 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • dress, 1-piece 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Belts (costume accessories) 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dress, 1-Piece; Entire Body; Main Dress; Female 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dress, 2-Piece; Entire Body; Main Dress; Female 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • African Americans 47 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
  • Choctaw Indians 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Indians of North America 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Latin Americans 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Native Americans 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Romanies 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1860s 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1930s 6 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1940s 6 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1950s 10 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1960s 16 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1970s 15 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1980s 14 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1990s 19 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 2000s 6 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 2010s 7 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • New York City 45 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • North and Central America 44 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • New York 21 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • California 15 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Los Angeles 10 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • District of Columbia 9 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Washington 7 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Illinois 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Manhattan 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection 44 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Black Fashion Museum Collection 30 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing - Fashion and Historical 28 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Home and Community Life: Costume 28 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing & Accessories 27 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing - Costume 19 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Culture and the Arts: Entertainment 14 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Popular Entertainment 8 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Cultures & Communities 4 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
  • Clothing and dress 71 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Design 38 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Women 38 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Fashion 29 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dress accessories 27 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Costume 22 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Actors and actresses 16 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Music 11 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Amusements 9 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Society 6 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Not determined 66 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • CC0 25 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Usage conditions apply 10 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus

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Included:

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Red dress designed by Diane von Furstenberg and worn by Whitney Houston

Ensemble associated with Marian Anderson's 1939 Lincoln Memorial concert

Dress worn by Viola Davis to the 2015 Emmy Awards ceremony

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

Woman's Dress, 1789

Becky Sharp dress

Woman's Dress, 1936

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

Woman's Dress, 1968–69

Woman's Dress, 1750-1780

Dress worn by Diana Ross

Woman's Dress, Wedding, 1847

Woman's Dress, 1860

Woman's Dress, 1945

Costume worn by Flip Wilson as Geraldine

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

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

Prom Dress

Circa 1930 Women's Gown (cheong sam)

Dress designed by Ann Lowe

Dress designed by Ann Lowe

Dress designed by Ann Lowe

Dress worn by Isabel Sanford as Louise Jefferson on The Jeffersons

Gold lamé strapless dress designed by Peter Davy

Dress designed by Ann Lowe

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

Dark grey velvet dress designed by Arthur McGee

Dress worn by Phyllis Diller in The Pruitts of Southampton

Dress designed by Ann Lowe

Dress worn by Diahann Carroll on the television show Julia

Dark iridescent green and rainbow sequin dress designed by Peter Davy

Hello, Dolly Dress

Light grey wool dress designed by Arthur McGee

Grey balloon sleeve dress designed by Arthur McGee

Red dress with ruffled collar designed by Peter Davy


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