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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 African American History and Culture 57 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of American History 44 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Smithsonian American Art Museum 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dresses (garments) 88 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Entire Body 24 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Main garments 24 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dress, 1-Piece 7 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Costume 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dress, 1-Piece; Entire Body; Main Dress; Female 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Belts (costume accessories) 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dress, 2-Piece; Entire Body; Main Dress; Female 4 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
  • African Americans 58 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Latin Americans 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Chinese Americans 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Spaniards 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1860s 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1930s 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1940s 7 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1950s 13 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1960s 17 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1970s 17 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1980s 15 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1990s 20 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 2000s 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 2010s 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • United States 71 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • North and Central America 44 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • New York City 35 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • California 11 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • New York 9 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Los Angeles 7 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • District of Columbia 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
  • National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection 57 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing & Accessories 44 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Home and Community Life: Costume 34 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing - Fashion and Historical 32 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Black Fashion Museum Collection 31 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing - Costume 28 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Family & Social Life 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Government, Politics, and Reform 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Musical Crossroads 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 053 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Design 46 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dress accessories 45 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Women 45 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Fashion 34 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Costume 25 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Actors and actresses 19 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Singers (Musicians) 12 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Music 8 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Family 7 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Not determined 57 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • CC0 37 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Usage conditions apply 13 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus

Filter Settings

Included:

  • Remove Topic: Clothing and dress close

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

Paper Dress, Campbell's Soup Company

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

Woman's Dress, 1936

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

Woman's Dress, 1968–69

Evening Dress, Oleg Cassini

Woman's Dress, 1750-1780

Woman's Dress, 1967

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

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

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 Celia Cruz

Dress worn by Isabel Sanford as Louise Jefferson on The Jeffersons

Gold lamé strapless dress designed by Peter Davy

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

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


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