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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
  • Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum 26 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of the American Indian 19 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Anacostia Community Museum 9 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
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  • National Museum of African Art 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Smithsonian American Art Museum 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Dresses (garments) 77 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Costume 18 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Woman's dress 18 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing 17 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Costume accessories 14 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Exhibitions (events) 12 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Belts (costume accessories) 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Ensembles (costume) 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Skirts (garments) 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Textile and Fiber Arts 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • African Americans 57 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
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  • 1870s 7 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
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  • 1960s 14 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
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  • United States 46 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
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  • National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection 57 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
  • Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum Collection 26 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing/Garments 17 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Textiles Department 14 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Exhibitions Department 12 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Anacostia Community Museum Collection 9 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Musical Crossroads 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing and dress 58 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Design 46 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Fashion 34 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Costume 24 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Actors and actresses 19 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Women 17 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Singers (Musicians) 12 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Society 7 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Music 6 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Musical Theatre 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
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Red dress with ruffled collar designed by Peter Davy

Dress

Black and silver drop waist dress with ruffle details designed by Peter Davy

Brown crepe dress with metallic embellishments designed by Peter Davy.

Black satin dress with hand-shaped decoration designed by Peter Davy

Brown halter dress with gold music-themed embellishments designed by Peter Davy

Green dress with silver details and attached necklace designed by Peter Davy

Turquoise blue dress with nude bodice and blue details designed by Peter Davy

Fitted dress with rainbow sequins and beading designed by Peter Davy

Dress

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

Brown and cream striped day dress from the Civil War era

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

Wedding dress worn by Lollaretta Pemberton with veil and headpiece

Child's dress

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

Nurse's uniform dress worn by Pauline Brown Payne

Black beaded dress designed by Zelda Wynn and worn by Ella Fitzgerald

Dress

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

Purple dress and white belt worn by Dionne Warwick

Rose pink shirt dress and belt designed by Arthur McGee

Grey pinstriped dress and jacket designed by Arthur McGee

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

Dress

Black beaded Flapper Dress

Woman's dress

Woman's dress

short sleeved knee length African geometric pattern dress

Costume for Glinda the Good Witch in The Wiz on Broadway

light blue dress with sequenced beads at top

Woman's dress

Woman's dress


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