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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 24 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of American History 6 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dresses (garments) 26 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Belts (costume accessories) 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Costume 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Ensembles (costume) 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Skirts (garments) 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Entire Body 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Scarves (costume accessories) 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Shorts (garments) 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Uniforms 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • cardigans 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • African Americans 24 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Latin Americans 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Mexican Americans 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1880s 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1930s 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1940s 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1950s 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1960s 7 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1970s 12 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1980s 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1990s 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 2000s 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 2010s 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • United States 22 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • North and Central America 17 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • California 7 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • New York City 7 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Los Angeles 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Manhattan 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Hollywood 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Burbank 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Caldwell 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Chicago 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing - Costume 24 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection 24 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Black Fashion Museum Collection 7 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
  • Culture and the Arts: Entertainment 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing - Fashion and Historical 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Musical Crossroads 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 053 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Agriculture 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing and dress 25 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Design 19 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Actors and actresses 17 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Women 8 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Music 7 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Singers (Musicians) 7 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Musical Theatre 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Motion pictures 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Sitcoms 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • CC0 16 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Not determined 8 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Usage conditions apply 7 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus

Filter Settings

Included:

  • Remove Topic: Costume close

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

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

Dress worn by Diana Ross

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

Prom Dress

Dress worn by Isabel Sanford as Louise Jefferson on The Jeffersons

Dress worn by Diahann Carroll on the television show Julia

Purple dress designed by Oscar de la Renta and worn by Whitney Houston

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

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

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

Black dress worn by Oprah Winfrey as Sofia in The Color Purple

Purple dress and white belt worn by Dionne Warwick

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

Feedsack Dress

Costume for Glinda the Good Witch in The Wiz on Broadway

Caroline Harrison's 1889 Inaugural Gown

Costume gown, petticoat, and jacket for Addaperle in The Wiz on Broadway

China Poblana Dress

Dress worn by Mary Wilson

Costume worn by Beyoncé as Deena Jones in the film Dreamgirls

Red and yellow dress worn by Janet Jackson as Penny Woods on Good Times

Gown worn by Lisa Fischer

Costume gown for Glinda the Good Witch in The Wiz on Broadway

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