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.
3,013
Page 1 of 151
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Black Glass with a Floral and Leaf Design
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 1962.239460.01588
- accession number
- 239460
- catalog number
- 239460.01588
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Round Marcasite Button With Silver Decoration Surrounding the Marcasite
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 1962.239460.04186
- accession number
- 239460
- catalog number
- 239460.04186
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Helmet Frontpiece, “Friendship Fire Co 1 EU”
- Description (Brief)
- The frontpiece (also known as shield or badge) of firefighting helmets has been a distinctive part of the American firefighter’s helmet since it was developed by Henry Gratacap in the early 19th century. These frontpieces displayed a variety of information. The fire company's name and number appeared, often alongside the city or town where it was based. The frontpiece could also include the owner's initials and rank. Most fire helmets had leather frontpieces, but frontpieces could also be made of metal, especially on presentation helmets or those worn in parades.
- This soiled or sooty leather frontpiece was made during the 19th century. The frontpiece reads “FRIENDSHIP/1/FIRE CO/EU” in metal embedded into the leather. The metal lettering is unusual for frontpieces, and may point to it being used in parades or special occasions rather than everyday use.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 19th century
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.1473
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.1473
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Environmental Button
- Description
- The universal symbol for recycling is shown on this button. The symbol, a mobius loop formed by three arrows, was designed as part of a contest in 1970 by University of Southern California student Gary Anderson.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Badge-A-Minit
- ID Number
- 2003.0014.0273
- accession number
- 2003.0014
- catalog number
- 2003.0014.0273
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
White Glass Button Decorated with Gold Dots and a Grape Motif
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 1962.239460.01667
- accession number
- 239460
- catalog number
- 239460.01667
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Red Glass Ball Button
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 1962.239460.01688
- accession number
- 239460
- catalog number
- 239460.01688
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Hexagon Shaped Goldstone Button
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 1962.239460.04015
- accession number
- 239460
- catalog number
- 239460.04015
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Black Glass Button With Faceted Pieces Arranged in Concentric Circles
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 1962.239460.03524
- accession number
- 239460
- catalog number
- 239460.03524
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Cream Glass Button
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 1962.239460.01678
- accession number
- 239460
- catalog number
- 239460.01678
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Brown and Cream Pearl Button with Carved Design
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 1962.239460.03377
- accession number
- 239460
- catalog number
- 239460.03377
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Spectacles
- Description
- In the nineteenth century this type of eyewear was referred to as eye protectors or railroad glasses. They have four colored lenses and were worn to help protect weak eyes from bright light, dust, and the wind when out riding or driving. They have steel frames with double lenses (sometimes referred to as Double-D lenses) and are tinted different shades of blue and blue-green. Lenses could be found in shades of blue, green, amber, and gray. The bows are sliding extension temples terminating in a teardrop-shaped fenestration. This pair of eyeglasses date from about 1850.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1850
- ID Number
- MG.317912.064
- accession number
- 317912
- catalog number
- 317912.064
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Faceted Grey Glass Button
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 1962.239460.01648
- accession number
- 239460
- catalog number
- 239460.01648
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Environmental Button
- Description
- The National Association of Audubon Societies was founded in 1905 to protect birds whose populations were being decimated by hunters for the plume (feather) trade. The organization was named after John James Audubon, a 19th century naturalist and artist who produced the book series Birds of America, published between 1827 and 1838. In 1940 the Association changed its name to the National Audubon Society, and since that time it has become engaged with a broad array of environmental concerns.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 2003.0014.0143
- accession number
- 2003.0014
- catalog number
- 2003.0014.0143
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Mechlin Bobbin Lace Border with floral Garlands
- 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
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Yellow Colored Pearl Button with Floral Design
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 1962.239460.03298
- accession number
- 239460
- catalog number
- 239460.03298
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Thomas De Witt, D.D.
- Description (Brief)
- Black & white print; three quarter portrait of minister standing in clerical garb (Thomas De Witt) with his hand on an open book on a table beside him.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- n.d.
- maker
- Endicott, George
- original artist
- Waldo and Jewett
- ID Number
- DL.60.3145
- catalog number
- 60.3145
- accession number
- 228146
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
White Paperweight Button with Red Center
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 1962.239460.03978
- accession number
- 239460
- catalog number
- 239460.03978
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Button Depicting a Group of Children Under an Umbrella
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 1962.239460.01395
- accession number
- 239460
- catalog number
- 239460.01395
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Hello, Dolly Dress
- Description
- One of the most distinctive comediennes of her generation, Carol Channing (b. 1921) catapulted to stardom as the baby-voiced heroine of the musical Gentlemen Prefer Blondes(1949). Nearly two decades later, her performance as the resourceful Dolly Gallagher Levi in Hello, Dolly! (1964) reaffirmed her standing as a theatrical superstar. Her return to the role of Dolly in various revivals of the show has made the part undoubtedly hers. This red satin, sequin-bedecked costume, designed by Freddy Wittop, was worn by Channing in the vibrant production number built around the show's title song.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1994
- wearer
- Channing, Carol
- maker
- Grace Costumes
- designer
- Wittop, Freddy
- ID Number
- 1997.0232.01
- accession number
- 1997.0232
- catalog number
- 2002.0232.27
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Alaska Ocean Coveralls
- Description
- Fish processors, laboratory staff, inspectors, supervisors, and others who work in the factory aboard the Alaska Ocean wear royal blue coveralls like these when on duty. These polyester coveralls are worn over other clothing to maintain standards of hygiene in the factory. Some processors change their coveralls several times during their daily 12-hour shift, which can extend to kicker shifts of an additional three hours. Because clean coveralls are always in demand, the factory’s laundry crew keeps the industrial washers and dryers running continuously. The coveralls, with the words Alaska Ocean emblazoned across the back, zip up the front and are typically worn tucked into boots.
- date made
- 2006
- Associated Date
- 2007
- used
- McFarland, Thelma
- maker
- Fristads
- ID Number
- 2007.0178.20
- catalog number
- 2007.0178.20
- accession number
- 2007.0178
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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- Clothing and dress 3013
- Dress accessories 3013
- Manufacturing industries 1336
- Industrialization 1331
- Buttons 1038
- Art 571
- Furnishings 481
- Peters Prints 374
- Textiles 286
- Firefighting Collection 263
- Children 147
- Fire Fighting 133
- Animals 129
- Adornment 124
- Family 122
- Women 118
- Social life and customs 113
- Lace and lace making 112
- Politics 103
- Architecture 102
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object type
- button 1323
- Lithographs 426
- Fire hats 168
- Fashion Plate 127
- Fashion Plate; Female 110
- frontpiece, helmet 87
- Lace (needlework) 77
- Dresses (garments) 55
- Main garments 52
- collotype 41
- Entire Body 35
- Chromolithographs 34
- Button 30
- Hats 24
- Pins (fasteners) 21
- pattern, bobbin lace 20
- Costume accessories worn 19
- Caps (headgear) 18
- Shoes (footwear) 18
- production papers 18
- date
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set name
- Industry & Manufacturing 1331
- Work and Industry: Production and Manufacturing 1258
- Buttons 1038
- Art 571
- Home and Community Life: Domestic Life 534
- Domestic Furnishings 480
- Work 377
- Peters Prints 374
- Home and Community Life: Costume 344
- Textiles 285
- Home and Community Life: Fire Fighting and Law Enforcement 268
- Firefighting Collection 263
- Cultures & Communities 208
- Family & Social Life 113
- Lace 111
- Home and Community Life: Textiles 91
- National Museum of American History 88
- Fire Helmets 87
- Helmet Frontpieces 87
