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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
  • ÃŽle-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 with ruffled collar designed by Peter Davy

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

Brown crepe dress with metallic embellishments designed by Peter Davy.

Hattie Carnegie Original Two-Piece Dress

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

dress for a squirrel; dress on cardboard hanger

Fitted dress with rainbow sequins and beading designed by Peter Davy

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

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

Nurse's uniform dress worn by Pauline Brown Payne

"Hippie" Dress or Shirt

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

Woman's Dress, 2002

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

1-piece dress

Costume for Glinda the Good Witch in The Wiz on Broadway

dress with matching belted raincoat

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

Miss Starlett costume, worn by Carol Burnett on "The Carol Burnett Show"

1-piece dress


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