Clothing & Accessories

Women's Gown (cheong sam) ca. 1930

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.

Date: 1930s

Jacket worn by Ray Bolger in the role of the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz

Ray Bolger wore this patchwork outfit as the Scarecrow, one of the trio of friends who accompany Dorothy to the Emerald City in The Wizard of Oz.Designed by Adrian, MGM's premier costume artist, the straw-stuffed clothing fit loosely enough so that Bolger could perform his comedi
Description
Ray Bolger wore this patchwork outfit as the Scarecrow, one of the trio of friends who accompany Dorothy to the Emerald City in The Wizard of Oz.
Designed by Adrian, MGM's premier costume artist, the straw-stuffed clothing fit loosely enough so that Bolger could perform his comedic dance number, "If I Only Had a Brain." A sponge-rubber mask, resembling burlap, completed the Scarecrow's costume. Under the hot lights on the set, the mask was stifling, and it frequently had to be replaced.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1939
user
Bolger, Ray
designer
Adrian
ID Number
1987.0608.07
accession number
1987.0608
catalog number
1987.0608.07

Gloves worn by Ray Bolger in the role of the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz

Ray Bolger wore this patchwork outfit as the Scarecrow, one of the trio of friends who accompany Dorothy to the Emerald City in The Wizard of Oz.Designed by Adrian, MGM's premier costume artist, the straw-stuffed clothing fit loosely enough so that Bolger could perform his comedi
Description
Ray Bolger wore this patchwork outfit as the Scarecrow, one of the trio of friends who accompany Dorothy to the Emerald City in The Wizard of Oz.
Designed by Adrian, MGM's premier costume artist, the straw-stuffed clothing fit loosely enough so that Bolger could perform his comedic dance number, "If I Only Had a Brain." A sponge-rubber mask, resembling burlap, completed the Scarecrow's costume. Under the hot lights on the set, the mask was stifling, and it frequently had to be replaced.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1939
user
Bolger, Ray
designer
Adrian
ID Number
1987.0608.09
accession number
1987.0608
catalog number
1987.0608.09

Scarecrow Costume

Ray Bolger wore this patchwork outfit as the Scarecrow, one of the trio of friends who accompany Dorothy to the Emerald City in The Wizard of Oz.
Description
Ray Bolger wore this patchwork outfit as the Scarecrow, one of the trio of friends who accompany Dorothy to the Emerald City in The Wizard of Oz.
date made
1939
user
Bolger, Ray
designer
Adrian
ID Number
COLL.1987.0608
accession number
1987.0608
catalog number
1987.0608.01
1987.0608.02
1987.0608.03
1987.0608.04
1987.0608.05
1987.0608.06
1987.0608.07
1987.0608.08
1987.0608.09
1987.0608.10
1987.0608.11

blouse, girl's

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c. 1934
ID Number
1992.0620.28
catalog number
1992.0620.28
accession number
1992.0620

Celluloid Comb

A celluloid novelty comb in the shape of a penguin. The penguin's head pulls out to reveal a comb made of imitation tortoiseshell. The holder is marked "France" and "Alain Saint . . ."Celluloid comb in a delightful penguin-shaped case.
Description (Brief)
A celluloid novelty comb in the shape of a penguin. The penguin's head pulls out to reveal a comb made of imitation tortoiseshell. The holder is marked "France" and "Alain Saint . . ."
Description
Celluloid comb in a delightful penguin-shaped case. The “Alain / Saint-Joanis” inscription refers to a French design firm that began in business in 1876.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
ID Number
2006.0098.1719
accession number
2006.0098
catalog number
2006.0098.1719

Pocket Knife with Celluloid Cover

A pocket knife with two blades made of ferrous metal. A sheet of cream celluloid is attached to each side with rivets. There is no maker's label, but the knife was likely a souvenir from the coronation of King George V or King George VI of England.
Description (Brief)
A pocket knife with two blades made of ferrous metal. A sheet of cream celluloid is attached to each side with rivets. There is no maker's label, but the knife was likely a souvenir from the coronation of King George V or King George VI of England. It reads "Coronation Souvenir" and bears the image of a crown with a G and an R on either side. "GR" could be the royal cypher of either king, as it stands for "George Rex."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1911-1937
ID Number
2006.0098.1373
catalog number
2006.0098.1373
accession number
2006.0098

American Red Cross Uniform

Physical DescriptionCotton dress and belt with Red Cross emblem on the front and on the matching hat.Specific HistoryThis dress was worn by Marabeth Storrs Finn.
Description
Physical Description
Cotton dress and belt with Red Cross emblem on the front and on the matching hat.
Specific History
This dress was worn by Marabeth Storrs Finn.
ID Number
2000.0164.01
catalog number
2000.0164.01
accession number
2000.0164

Fish pin

A pin made of ivory-colored celluloid in shape of a fish. The pin is decorated with rhinestones and the fins are colored brown. Designed in an Art Deco manner, style popular from 1910 through the 1940s. There are no markings.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
A pin made of ivory-colored celluloid in shape of a fish. The pin is decorated with rhinestones and the fins are colored brown. Designed in an Art Deco manner, style popular from 1910 through the 1940s. There are no markings.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1920-1930
ID Number
2006.0098.0802
accession number
2006.0098
catalog number
2006.0098.0802

1925 - 1930 Chinese American Woman's Skirt

Mrs. Lee ordered this skirt from China to wear on formal occasions, such as weddings. The waistband, of a different fabric, was covered by a blouse.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Mrs. Lee ordered this skirt from China to wear on formal occasions, such as weddings. The waistband, of a different fabric, was covered by a blouse.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
unknown
ID Number
2000.0274.02
accession number
2000.0274
catalog number
2000.0274.02

Chinese woman pin

A molded celluloid pin, ivory-colored and tinted green, with green rhinestones. The pin is in the shape of a Chinese woman holding a parasol. The pin has a C-clamp closure, and is unmarked.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
A molded celluloid pin, ivory-colored and tinted green, with green rhinestones. The pin is in the shape of a Chinese woman holding a parasol. The pin has a C-clamp closure, and is unmarked.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1920-1935
ID Number
2006.0098.0836
accession number
2006.0098
catalog number
2006.0098.0836

dress, woman's

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c. 1935
ID Number
1992.0620.12
catalog number
1992.0620.12
accession number
1992.0620

Circa 1930 Women's Gown (cheong sam)

The donor, Virginia Lee, posed in a similar cheong sam for a US World War II poster and for the "Miss China" contest in New York.
Description
The donor, Virginia Lee, posed in a similar cheong sam for a US World War II poster and for the "Miss China" contest in New York. Also known as a qu pao, the Chinese traditional loose dress shape was modified by Western designers in the 1920's to be more close-fitting to accentuate a woman's figure. The altered dress form became broadly popular in the United States as evening wear in the late 1950's and 1960's.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
user
Mead, Virginia Lee
maker
unknown
ID Number
1992.0620.16
catalog number
1992.0620.16
accession number
1992.0620

Buckle

A belt buckle made of brown celluloid and decorated with rhinestones and bars of black celluloid. The style is Art Moderne. It is unmarked.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
A belt buckle made of brown celluloid and decorated with rhinestones and bars of black celluloid. The style is Art Moderne. It is unmarked.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
ID Number
2006.0098.1731
accession number
2006.0098
catalog number
2006.0098.1731

Clutch purse

A cream celluloid clutch purse with an attached change purse inside. The clasp is a solid piece of yellow celluloid. The purse is lined with satin, and has a short leather strap on the back. It has no maker's marks.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
A cream celluloid clutch purse with an attached change purse inside. The clasp is a solid piece of yellow celluloid. The purse is lined with satin, and has a short leather strap on the back. It has no maker's marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
ID Number
2006.0098.1449
catalog number
2006.0098.1449
accession number
2006.0098

Golfer

Ivory-colored celluloid pin with hand-painted details in the shape of a golfer wearing plus fours. The pin, made in Japan, fastens with a C-clasp.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Ivory-colored celluloid pin with hand-painted details in the shape of a golfer wearing plus fours. The pin, made in Japan, fastens with a C-clasp.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1930-1935
ID Number
2006.0098.0830
accession number
2006.0098
catalog number
2006.0098.0830

Wedding Dress made from World War II Silk Parachute

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
November 15, 1945
date made
November 1945
user
Bourland, Rosalie H.
maker
Hierholzer, Lora
Hierholzer, Lora
ID Number
2004.0207.001
accession number
2004.0207
catalog number
2004.0207.001

Elephant pin

A pin made of ivory-colored celluloid in the shape of a running elephant. Rhinestones dot the elephant's back and its eye is also a rhinestone. In the Art Moderne style. There are no markings.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
A pin made of ivory-colored celluloid in the shape of a running elephant. Rhinestones dot the elephant's back and its eye is also a rhinestone. In the Art Moderne style. There are no markings.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1920-1935
ID Number
2006.0098.0808
accession number
2006.0098
catalog number
2006.0098.0808

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