Clothing & Accessories

Work, play, fashion, economic class, religious faith, even politics—all these aspects of American life and more are woven into clothing. The Museum cares for one of the nation's foremost collections of men's, women's, and children's garments and accessories—from wedding gowns and military uniforms to Halloween costumes and bathing suits.

The collections include work uniforms, academic gowns, clothing of presidents and first ladies, T-shirts bearing protest slogans, and a clean-room "bunny suit" from a manufacturer of computer microchips. Beyond garments, the collections encompass jewelry, handbags, hair dryers, dress forms, hatboxes, suitcases, salesmen's samples, and thousands of fashion prints, photographs, and original illustrations. The more than 30,000 artifacts here represent the changing appearance of Americans from the 1700s to the present day.

Darned filet lace flounce in 17th or 18th Century style, but probably made during 19th C. Unusual straight netting. Finished on all sides.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Darned filet lace flounce in 17th or 18th Century style, but probably made during 19th C. Unusual straight netting. Finished on all sides.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 19th century
Associated Name
Pinchot, Mary Eno
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.L6510
catalog number
L6510.000
accession number
48717
113420
This Gros Point de Venise needle lace has been remodeled into collar. The elaborate three-dimensional floral motifs and scrolls are edged with a woven braid at the neck edge and a narrow bobbin lace edging at the outside edge.
Description (Brief)
This Gros Point de Venise needle lace has been remodeled into collar. The elaborate three-dimensional floral motifs and scrolls are edged with a woven braid at the neck edge and a narrow bobbin lace edging at the outside edge. The original early 18th century lace has been pieced together and repaired from good quality needle lace. The repairs are crude, and made with a different color thread, but create a nice overall effect. This is one of many laces Mrs. Pinchot collected for the Smithsonian to show samples of various types of lace.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
Early 18th century
Associated Name
Pinchot, Mary Eno
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.L6507
catalog number
L6507
Mechlin bobbin lace border from the 18th century. Six inch repeat pattern of the lilly of the Annunciation growing in a pot. There are markers at each end with the Maltese cross embossed in brown paper tags.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Mechlin bobbin lace border from the 18th century. Six inch repeat pattern of the lilly of the Annunciation growing in a pot. There are markers at each end with the Maltese cross embossed in brown paper tags.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
Mid 18th C.
Associated Name
Pinchot, Mary Eno
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.L6489
catalog number
L6484.000
accession number
48717
Valenciennes bobbin lace border with round mesh in the Louis XV-XVI style. The pattern repeat is four and a half inches longCurrently not on view
Description (Brief)
Valenciennes bobbin lace border with round mesh in the Louis XV-XVI style. The pattern repeat is four and a half inches long
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1675-90
Associated Name
Pinchot, Mary Eno
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.L6487
catalog number
L6487
accession number
48717
Deeply scalloped Flemish bobbin lace from the mid 17th century. It shows the technique of very early mesh filling between the motifs The border is made from two different patterns.
Description (Brief)
Deeply scalloped Flemish bobbin lace from the mid 17th century. It shows the technique of very early mesh filling between the motifs The border is made from two different patterns. Two long (17 in and 20.75 in) and two very short (1/2 in each) pieces are joined for engageantes or a collar. Mended. A woven tape has been whip stitched to the foot-side.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 17th century
Mid 17th century
Associated Name
Pinchot, Mary Eno
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.L6502A
catalog number
L6502.00A
accession number
48717
Valenciennes continuous bobbin lace border with a pattern of birds in two and a half inch long repeats. Made during the transition between round and square mesh. The lace has been cut from a wider piece and hemmed at both sides with narrow bobbin or machine made tapes.
Description (Brief)
Valenciennes continuous bobbin lace border with a pattern of birds in two and a half inch long repeats. Made during the transition between round and square mesh. The lace has been cut from a wider piece and hemmed at both sides with narrow bobbin or machine made tapes. Illustrated in "Pillow Lace" by Mincoff and Marriage, 1907, p. 42 with extra width. (Erroneously?) described as Louis XV.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
Mid 19th C.
Associated Name
Pinchot, Mary Eno
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.L6484
catalog number
L6484.000
accession number
48717
Valenciennes square mesh continuous bobbin lace border with large floral design. The pattern repeat is two inches long. Probably made between 1850 and 1875.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Valenciennes square mesh continuous bobbin lace border with large floral design. The pattern repeat is two inches long. Probably made between 1850 and 1875.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1850-1875
Associated Name
Pinchot, Mary Eno
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.L6491
catalog number
L6491.000
accession number
48717
Coarse Reticello style needle lace, possibly from the 16th century.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Coarse Reticello style needle lace, possibly from the 16th century.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 17th century
Associated Name
Pinchot, Mary Eno
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.L6494
catalog number
L6494
accession number
48717
Reticello insertion from the early 17th Century. Scalloped needle lace border has been added to two strips of insertions of mystic animal and geometric figures.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Reticello insertion from the early 17th Century. Scalloped needle lace border has been added to two strips of insertions of mystic animal and geometric figures.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 17th century
Associated Name
Pinchot, Mary Eno
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.L6515
catalog number
L6515.000
accession number
48717
This needle lace collar was made in the early 20th Century. The rose motifs and outside scallops are outlined with horsehair, which is covered with buttonhole stitches. It is of fine quality, but has a small tear at the center neck edge.
Description (Brief)
This needle lace collar was made in the early 20th Century. The rose motifs and outside scallops are outlined with horsehair, which is covered with buttonhole stitches. It is of fine quality, but has a small tear at the center neck edge. According to the donor the collar was made in Denmark, but Denmark does not have a needle lace tradition for that type of needle lace. However, it might have been bought there.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
Early 20th C.
Associated Name
Pinchot, Mary Eno
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.L6467
catalog number
L6467
accession number
48717
Beautiful example of drawn work edged with Italian pillow lace as an altar cloth. The edging is not original as it extends beyond the drawn work.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Beautiful example of drawn work edged with Italian pillow lace as an altar cloth. The edging is not original as it extends beyond the drawn work.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
16th century
Associated Name
Pinchot, Mary Eno
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.L6504A
catalog number
L6504.000
accession number
48717
Bohemian bobbin lace border.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Bohemian bobbin lace border.
Location
Currently not on view
Associated Name
Pinchot, Mary Eno
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.L6511
catalog number
E006511.000
accession number
48717
Reticella style needle lace edged with Genoese style bobbin lace. There are four different patterns of Reticella.It was probably made in the 19th century.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Reticella style needle lace edged with Genoese style bobbin lace. There are four different patterns of Reticella.It was probably made in the 19th century.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th century
Associated Name
Pinchot, Mary Eno
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.L6499
catalog number
L6499.000
accession number
48717
Valenciennes square mesh continuous bobbin lace border in 19th Century stylistic open floral design The pattern repeat is four and a half inches long. Separate picot edge and sewing edge have been whipped on.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Valenciennes square mesh continuous bobbin lace border in 19th Century stylistic open floral design The pattern repeat is four and a half inches long. Separate picot edge and sewing edge have been whipped on.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th C
Associated Name
Pinchot, Mary Eno
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.L6486
catalog number
L6486.000
accession number
48717
Pottenkant Antwerp bobbin lace border with Point de Paris ground. The lace was probably made in the nineteenth century.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Pottenkant Antwerp bobbin lace border with Point de Paris ground. The lace was probably made in the nineteenth century.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th century
Associated Name
Pinchot, Mary Eno
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.L6483
catalog number
E006483.000
accession number
48717
catalog number
L6483
Stand-up choker collar with four stays. Machine made lace in the style of Cluny. Mounted on silk(?) Hooks. Ca. 1890Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Stand-up choker collar with four stays. Machine made lace in the style of Cluny. Mounted on silk(?) Hooks. Ca. 1890
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca. 1890
Associated Name
Pinchot, Mary Eno
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.L6519
catalog number
L6519
accession number
48717
Reticella and drawn thread work, satin stitch and whipped bars from the early 17th Century. The machine woven scalloped edge has been whip stitched to the selvedge laterCurrently not on view
Description (Brief)
Reticella and drawn thread work, satin stitch and whipped bars from the early 17th Century. The machine woven scalloped edge has been whip stitched to the selvedge later
Location
Currently not on view
date made
Early 17th century
Associated Name
Pinchot, Mary Eno
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.L6503
catalog number
L6503.000
accession number
48717
Old Mechlin continuous bobbin lace border made in Belgium or France in the Louis XV (1715-1774) style. 7 ½” symmetrical pattern repeat. Fine quality. Same pattern as TE.L6882. It was possibly cut from the same piece. A machine made edging has been added.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Old Mechlin continuous bobbin lace border made in Belgium or France in the Louis XV (1715-1774) style. 7 ½” symmetrical pattern repeat. Fine quality. Same pattern as TE.L6882. It was possibly cut from the same piece. A machine made edging has been added.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
Mid 18th C.
Associated Name
Pinchot, Mary Eno
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.L6479
catalog number
L6479.000
accession number
48717
Point d’Angleterre border with Brussels bobbin lace motifs. Flowers and leaves with rolled edges and scrolls. Motifs are connected with narrow Droschel ground strips joined with point de Raccroc. Threads from the ground are carried across the back of the motifs. Mid 18th C.
Description
Point d’Angleterre border with Brussels bobbin lace motifs. Flowers and leaves with rolled edges and scrolls. Motifs are connected with narrow Droschel ground strips joined with point de Raccroc. Threads from the ground are carried across the back of the motifs. Mid 18th C. style.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
Mid 18th C.
Associated Name
Pinchot, Mary Eno
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.L6471
catalog number
L6471.000
accession number
48717
Drawn work fragment matching TE.L6504ACurrently not on view
Description (Brief)
Drawn work fragment matching TE.L6504A
Location
Currently not on view
date made
16th century
Associated Name
Pinchot, Mary Eno
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.L6504B
catalog number
L6504.000
accession number
48717
catalog number
TE*L6504B
Spanish Blonde style silk bobbin lace flounce with floral motifs in half and linen stitches. (Possibly Chantilly) A strong thread is whipped along the bottom edge and is not original to lace. Floral motifs in a six inch pattern repeat.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Spanish Blonde style silk bobbin lace flounce with floral motifs in half and linen stitches. (Possibly Chantilly) A strong thread is whipped along the bottom edge and is not original to lace. Floral motifs in a six inch pattern repeat.
Location
Currently not on view
Associated Name
Pinchot, Mary Eno
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.L6473A
catalog number
L6473.00A
accession number
48717
Mechlin continuous bobbin lace border in Louis XV period (1710-1778) style. Unusual design with central wavy band with carnations in open kat stitch ground and Droschel ground along headside. The pattern repeat is 8.25 inches.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Mechlin continuous bobbin lace border in Louis XV period (1710-1778) style. Unusual design with central wavy band with carnations in open kat stitch ground and Droschel ground along headside. The pattern repeat is 8.25 inches.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th c
Mid 18th C.
Associated Name
Pinchot, Mary Eno
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.L6485
catalog number
L6485.000
accession number
48717
Mid 18th Century Mechlin lace border. Continuous bobbin lace with a 6.25 inch pattern repeat.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Mid 18th Century Mechlin lace border. Continuous bobbin lace with a 6.25 inch pattern repeat.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1750
Associated Name
Pinchot, Mary Eno
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.L6477
catalog number
L6477.000
accession number
48717
Collar remade from late 17th century Genoese style bobbin lace with a bird motif. Fragile.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Collar remade from late 17th century Genoese style bobbin lace with a bird motif. Fragile.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 17th century
Associated Name
Pinchot, Mary Eno
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.L6502C
catalog number
L6502.00C
accession number
48717

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