Clothing & Accessories

• Turquoise Prom Dress

  Description

  This turquoise and aqua chiffon dress is labeled "Will Steinman Original," When a designer whose work was featured in Vogue during the mid-1950s. Another label reads "Lady Hamilton, Arlington, VA," which is the name of a bridal and fancy dress shop that closed its doors in 2009.

  Made in 1955, the dress was worn by Ruth E. Lander to formal events in the Washington, DC, area. This included a prom at J.E.B. Stuart Senior High School. Carol Porter, the dress' donor, wore the dress again in 1963 to a Sigma Kappa Sorority convention.

  The evening dress has a ruched, fitted bodice with aqua on the top half and turquoise below, as well as aqua spaghetti straps. The neckline in front is straight across, while the back curves lower and fastens with a turquoise metal zipper. Sewn into the center back are two long gathered bias panels, aqua on the left and turquoise on the right, both falling the length of the dress. The bodice has boning on the lower front and back. The full skirt has a deep slit at the center back, and the dress is lined in blue crepe with white tape loops at the top edges of the inside side seam.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1955-1963

  maker

  Steinman, Will

  ID Number

  2003.0356.002

  accession number

  2003.0356

  catalog number

  2003.0356.002

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center

• Walda Scott Woman's Suit (Two-Piece)

  Description

  This Walda Scott suit was worn for dress occasions and work in the hat departments of several department stores. The jacket is grey with a flat collar that has slightly pointed ends. The front closure is covered and has five buttons with bound buttonholes. Sewn all in one with the shoulders, the sleeves are full-length with straight cuffs. A black waist band, three slit pockets, front darts, and three pleats above the waist are featured on this jacket which is lined in beige.

  The skirt is straight and cuffed at the waistband, which has a side button and zipper closure. There are six darts in the front and four in the back, as well as a kick pleat and a partial back lining panel.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1952-1957

  maker

  Harris, Joseph A.

  Walda Scott

  ID Number

  1994.0178.003

  accession number

  1994.0178

  catalog number

  1994.0178.3

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center

• Buffalo Soldier Uniform Coat

  Description

  African American soldiers were allowed to enlist in the regular peacetime army of the United States for the first time at the end of the Civil War. Many of the new regulars had fought as United States Colored Troops during the war. By 1869, four African American regiments—the 9th and 10th Cavalry, the 24th and 25 Infantry—had been dispatched to the western frontier wars. Their duties were not limited to fighting Indians, who first called them "buffalo soldiers." In garrison, they drilled, stood guard, and maintained horses, barracks, weapons, and equipment. In the field, they patrolled harsh terrain in every extreme of weather, built or rebuilt army posts, strung telegraph wire, and escorted settlers, cattle herds, and railroad crews.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  ca. 1918

  associated dates

  1918-01-05-1919-03-19

  Associated Date

  ca 1914-1918

  user

  Blayton, Benjamin B.

  ID Number

  1994.0339.06

  catalog number

  1994.0339.06

  accession number

  1994.0339

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center

• Early Maidenform Bra

  Description

  This pink Maiden Form brassiere from the early 1930s reflects a shift from flat-chested to more ‘natural’ styles in women’s fashion. New York dressmakers Enid Bissett and Ida Rosenthal began selling brassieres in the early 1920s that gathered in the front to create pockets and support women’s breasts individually. Their bras soon became more popular than their dresses, and Enid and Ida began to manufacture them on a larger scale. The name of their company, Maiden Form, stood in direct contrast to the popular Boyshform brand of binders many women had been wearing to achieve the flat-chested look.

  Location

  Currently on loan

  date made

  1925-1930

  maker

  Maidenform

  ID Number

  1998.0040.001

  patent number

  1,648,464

  accession number

  1998.0040

  catalog number

  1998.0040.1

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center

• Lord & Taylor Woman's Suit (Two-Piece)

  Description

  Though Lord & Taylor is based in New York City, this suit was made in England for the brand. The donor was hired by Dorothy Shaver, the store's first female president, to develop a country clothes shop for the flagship store.

  The suit is made of black, gray, and yellow tweed. A rolled collar is featured on the jacket with notched lapels and a five-button center front opening. The buttons are large and covered in black leather. The jacket has long, set-in sleeves and two-button turned-up cuffs. With a fitted shape and front slanted hip pockets, the jacket is lined in gold taffeta.

  The skirt has a waistband and a left side-seam zipper opening. It pleats in the center front and center back on the lower edge, and it is lined with yellow taffeta

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1949-1953

  used by

  Booth, Virginia

  made for

  Lord & Taylor

  purchased by

  Lord & Taylor

  maker

  Lord & Taylor

  ID Number

  2000.0093.020

  accession number

  2000.0093

  catalog number

  2000.0093.20

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center

• Children's Shoes

  Description

  This is a pair of red children’s shoes made around 1875-1920. During the mid-1800s, shoe factories began replacing family centered artisan business. The work was centralized, regulated and supervised for greater efficiency and subsequently lower costs to consumers. This change, though, meant workers no longer labored at home, set their own hours nor worked at their own pace and consequently changed their lives.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1875-1920

  ID Number

  1981.0634.00001

  accession number

  1981.0634

  catalog number

  1981.0634.1

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center

• Man's Suit

  Description

  This 1955 suit is made of gray flannel with long, set-in sleeves on the jacket. The sleeves have three button closures at the hem edge. The jacket also features a notched collar with lapels, a buttonhole in the left only. Bound pockets with flaps over the openings are on the lower front, and a stand collar is on the upper left front. The jacket is unlined and has three gray button closures on the center front opening.

  The pants have side pockets at the upper front and bound pockets at the upper rear. The left rear pocket closes with a black button. A zippered fly opening with one black button closes the front, and there is one hook-and-eye closure in the waistband. Six black buttons are on the inner waistband, and the pants are cuffed, held in place by snap closures.

  date made

  1955

  ID Number

  1983.0851.01

  accession number

  1983.0851

  catalog number

  1983.0851.01

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center

• 

  Pullman Conductor's Cap

  Description

  This cap is black with a stiff crown, flat circular top and a short visor. A gold braid stretches across the top of the brim and is attached around a brass buttons on each side of the hat. A badge stamped with Pullman Conductor is attached to the front of the cap. The Pullman Conductor had overall charge of the Pullman services for the passengers. The Pullman Co. built, owned and managed almost all sleeping cars on US railroads, from the `1870s until the 1960s.

  This cap was never worn in active Pullman service.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  ca 1950

  maker

  E. L. Peterson Company

  ID Number

  1981.0327.01

  accession number

  1981.0327

  catalog number

  1981.0327.01

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center

• 

  Spectacles

  Description

  These gold-plated eyeglass frames with rectangular glass lenses connected by a broad bridge date from about 1850 to 1880. The straight temples terminate in teardrop-shaped fenestrations.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1850-1880

  1850-1900

  maker

  unknown

  ID Number

  1981.0828.12

  catalog number

  1981.0828.12

  accession number

  1981.0828

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center

• Coval Woman's Suit (2 piece)

  Description

  This gray flannel suit is a copy of a Balenciaga suit from 1949. The double-breasted jacket has a convertible collar and set-in full-length sleeves with three gray button closures at the sleeve hem. Four gray button closures line the center front opening, and there are two patch pockets at the front hemline. The front and back are cut with four flared gores each, and the hemline is reinforced with stiffening fabric. The lining is also gray fabric.

  The skirt is in a wrap-around style with four gray buttons for the closure on the right side. Two snaps make up the closure on the front waistband, which also fastens at the left with two hook-and-eye closures.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1949-1950

  ID Number

  1982.0292.00003

  accession number

  1982.0292

  catalog number

  1982.0292.3

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center

• 

  Woman's Quaker Bonnet

  Description

  This bonnet from 1850-1874 is what a Quaker woman would have worn. Quaker bonnets were much plainer than the fashionable bonnets of the nineteenth century, with less adornment. They changed very little in style and shape making them difficult to date accurately. This bonnet with its quilted lining and skirt section would offer warmth to the wearer during inclement weather.

  This bonnet is constructed of dark navy blue velvet with a quilted maroon lining and curtain. The bonnet fastens with two black ribbon ties with a single long maroon ribbon attached to either side of the front edges. It measures 12 ½ inches high by 9 ½ inches wide by 12 inches deep.

  Date made

  1850-1874

  ID Number

  1983.0805.04

  accession number

  1983.0805

  catalog number

  1983.0805.04

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center

• 

  Christening Gown

  Description

  This white infant’s dress with short raglan sleeves was made by African American dressmaker Elizabeth Keckley for her goddaughter Alberta Elizabeth Lewis-Savoy in 1866. The neckline has two rows of casing with a narrow gathering ribbon. The center back opens with ribbon ties and a placket. The back waist is detailed with four rows of gathering ribbon and the front waistband is covered with lace, which is partially stitched down. A full skirt with twenty pleats is gathered to the waistband. Handmade Bucks point bobbin lace trims the sleeves and hem.

  date made

  1866

  wearer

  Lewis, Alberta Elizabeth

  maker

  Keckley, Elizabeth

  ID Number

  1983.0853.01

  accession number

  1983.0853

  catalog number

  1983.0853.01

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center

• 

  Blonde Bobbin Lace Silk Flounce

  Description

  This flounce of stylized floral motifs is executed in Blonde bobbin lace. The flounce is made of cream colored silk thread in three sizes. The ground is point ground, with the motifs made in dense linen stitches and lighter half stitches outlined with a heavy gimp thread. Honeycomb ground is used as decorative fillings. The flounce is edged with a narrow machine made picot edge on both sides.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1830-1845

  maker

  unknown

  ID Number

  1984.0111.243

  accession number

  1984.0111

  catalog number

  1984.0111.243

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center

• 

  Spectacles

  Description

  This pair of Harlequin-shaped eyeglasses dates from about 1960. The frame is made from 12KT white gold and has a black enamel-like design on the rim and temples. The Ultex bifocal lenses are made each from one piece of ground glass. The nose pads and earpieces are covered in plastic. By the mid-twentieth century, the variety of styles, colors, and materials for eyewear had become limitless.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  ca 1955

  ca 1960

  maker

  unknown

  ID Number

  1984.0140.417

  catalog number

  1984.0140.417

  accession number

  1984.0140

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center

• 

  Mister Rogers' Sweater

  Description

  This red knit cardigan was worn by Fred Rogers, creator and host of the children's program, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood (PBS, 1968-2001). For more than thirty years, Rogers began each episode by changing into a sweater and tennis shoes and singing, "Won't you be my neighbor?"

  An ordained Presbyterian minister, Rogers dedicated his television career to promoting children's emotional and moral well-being. His show, with its friendly conversational style and trips to the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, encouraged young viewers to feel loved, respected, and special.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  Date made

  1968-1984

  Associated Date

  1968-2001

  user

  Rogers, Fred

  ID Number

  1984.0219.01

  accession number

  1984.0219

  catalog number

  1984.0219.01

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center

• 

  Leg Silque Liquid Stockings, Shade P244 Suntan

  Description

  While leg makeup has been commercially available since the 1920s, it wasn't until rationing was introduced during the World War II that the product became an essential commodity for many American women. Unable to procure silk or nylon hose, many women resorted to painting their legs with products such as Leg Silque Liquid Stockings, made in Boston, Mass., by the Langlois Company. Some industrious users even drew black lines down the backs of their legs to simulate the seams.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  ca 1943

  maker

  Langlois Inc.

  ID Number

  1985.0481.002

  accession number

  1985.0481

  catalog number

  1985.0481.002

  maker number

  P244

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center

• 

  Elizabeth Arden Velva Leg Film, Sun Copper

  Description

  While leg makeup was commercially available since the 1920s, it wasn't until rationing was introduced during the Second World War that leg makeup became an essential commodity for many American women.

  Silk and nylon became virtually unatainable, so, unable to procure silk or nylon stockings, many women resorted to painting their legs with products such as this Velva Leg Film. Some industrious ladies even painted black lines down the back of their legs to mimic the seams of hosiery.

  Velva Leg film was manufactured in the Nineteen Forties by Elizabeth Arden, a Canadian-born American businesswoman known for her beauty salons and cosmetic products.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  ca 1943

  product launch

  1933

  maker

  Elizabeth Arden Inc.

  ID Number

  1985.0481.384

  catalog number

  1985.0481.384

  accession number

  1985.0481

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center

• 

  Louisville & Nashville Railroad Porter's Cap

  Description

  The cap is has a stiff crown and flat circular top with a short visor. A black braid stretches across the visor and is attached to the hat by buttons on each side of the hat. It has a badge on the front with the Louisville and Nashville Railroad logo, L&N and the words TRIAN PORTER. On each side is a button with the initials L&N.

  This particular porter's cap was owned by Mr. Henry Taylor, a porter for the Louisville & Nashville Railroad from the 1940s through the 1960s. Mr. Taylor worked aboard the L&N Railroad's coaches on overnight trains, assisting passengers. Sleeping cars assigned to L&N overnight trains were operated by Pullman, and so the porters on those cars worked for Pullman, not for the Louisvile and Nashville Railroad.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  associated institution

  Louisville and Nashville Railroad

  maker

  Becker Tailoring Co.

  ID Number

  1985.0552.01

  accession number

  1985.0552

  catalog number

  1985.0552.01

  85.0552.01

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center

• Man's Suit (Three-Piece)

  Description

  This three-piece suit is made of gray herringbone tweed wool woven with fine dark and light brown vertical threads. The jacket is single-breasted with three buttons and a hacking pocket on the left breast. Two flap pockets are on the lower front, and there are four gray buttons on the cuffs of each arm. Dove-colored striped silk lines most of the jacket, with piped pockets inside the right breast and gray and white striped silk lining the sleeves.

  The trousers are cuffed, with a button-down fly opening and belt loops. The right front has a fob pocket, intended for use with a pocket watch. There are seam pockets in the front and piped pockets in the back with ivory twill weave silk lining.

  The single-breasted vest has four hacking pockets in front and a dove-colored stripe weave silk back. The lining is white twill weave silk, and the V-neck is bound in wool dress fabric. Six gray buttons are on the center front, and the back is self-belted.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1948

  ID Number

  1985.0666.01

  accession number

  1985.0666

  catalog number

  1985.0666.01

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center

• 

  Stetson Hat

  Description

  This black derby-style hat was manufactured by the John B. Stetson Company around 1900. It is made of felt and adorned with a black grosgrain ribbon that is slightly frayed at the edges. A hat like this may have been worn as a marker of elevated social status at the turn of the 20th century.

  date made

  ca 1880-1940

  ID Number

  1985.0711.02

  accession number

  1985.0711

  catalog number

  1985.0711.02

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center

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