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.
2,708
Page 1 of 136
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fashion plate
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1860
- bequest of
- James, Catalina Juliana Mason Myers
- ID Number
- CS.033675.176
- catalog number
- 033675.176
- accession number
- 70138
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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fashion plate
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1861
- bequest of
- James, Catalina Juliana Mason Myers
- ID Number
- CS.033675.183
- catalog number
- 033675.183
- accession number
- 70138
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Women's Fila Sneakers
- Description
- This is a pair of black, women’s, size 8 Fila sneakers most likely worn by an immigrant during a Mexican-U.S. border crossing. The sneakers are very worn and split down the middle of both shoes horizontally. The sneakers were recovered at a dump site on the Arizona side of the border.
- Fila is an Italian company started by two brothers in 1911 as a textile business. Over the years, the company has grown and expanded into an international business fabricating sports attire. Their breakthrough line came in the 1970s, the White Line Collection, aimed specifically at tennis players but the company designs sportswear for all types of athletes today (2015).
- ID Number
- 2013.3012.01
- accession number
- 2013.3012
- catalog number
- 2013.3012.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Cruise Ship Doorman’s Hat
- Description
- This hat, resembling the traditional hotel bellhop’s cap, was part of the uniform worn by a doorman, named Dadang, who worked aboard the Holland America Line’s cruise ship Zuiderdam in 2007. The hat is red and blue polyester, with a golden braid stretching across the top of the head from ear to ear. The uniform also included a tailored red jacket, dark blue trousers, and a name tag. As a food and beverage worker in the ship’s hotel department, Dadang reported directly to the dining room manager. His primary job was to welcome passengers into the dining room by opening the door, to ring the dinner chime, to serve breakfast pastries, and to perform other services in the restaurant arm of the organization. In 2009, a cruise ship job similar to this paid about $1,200 to $1,400 per month, with room and board provided on the ship.
- Taking a cruise has become a popular leisure activity for many Americans. In 1980, 1.4 million Americans took a North American cruise and by 2005, that number had increased to 9.6 million. As both the number and size of cruise ships have grown, the number of people required to keep them running smoothly and to serve the needs of passengers has increased as well. Aboard the Zuiderdam, 800 crew work around the clock to fulfill the needs of 1,848 passengers.
- Cruise ship employees are recruited from around the world for a wide variety of jobs, from waiters to chefs, housekeepers to hair and nail technicians, and shop managers to wine auctioneers. For the many jobs requiring interaction with passengers, workers must have a good command of English, and English-speaking workers from the Philippines or Indonesia (like Dadang) fill many hospitality jobs aboard modern cruise ships. Americans are not typically attracted to most cruise-ship hospitality and service jobs because of low wages, long workdays at sea, and the hardship of having to be away from home and family for long periods of time.
- date made
- ca 2007
- ID Number
- 2007.0172.04
- catalog number
- 2007.0172.04
- accession number
- 2007.0172
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Doris Holt receives elephant from prince
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- PG.67.88.04983
- catalog number
- 67.88.04983
- accession number
- 270586
- publisher number
- CH506973
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Abraham Lincoln's Watch, around 1858
- Description
- Lincoln’s English gold watch was purchased in the 1850s from George Chatterton, a Springfield, Illinois, jeweler. Lincoln was not considered to be outwardly vain, but the fine gold watch was a conspicuous symbol of his success as a lawyer.
- The watch movement and case, as was often typical of the time, were produced separately. The movement was made in Liverpool, where a large watch industry manufactured watches of all grades. An unidentified American shop made the case. The Lincoln watch has one of the best grade movements made in England and can, if in good order, keep time to within a few seconds a day. The 18K case is of the best quality made in the US.
- A Hidden Message
- Just as news reached Washington that Confederate forces had fired on Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861, watchmaker Jonathan Dillon was repairing Abraham Lincoln's timepiece. Caught up in the moment, Dillon unscrewed the dial and engraved: "April 13, 1861 Fort Sumpter was attacked by the rebels on the above date J Dillon April 13, 1861 Washington" and "thank God we have a government Jonth Dillon."
- In 1864 a second watchmaker, L. E. Gross, signed his name. Also, at some point someone etched "Jeff Davis" inside the watch, either as a joke or a statement of support for the Confederacy.
- Lincoln never knew about the messages he carried in his watch. The inscription remained hidden behind the dial for over a century. After hearing from Jonathan Dillon's great-great-grandson, the Museum removed the dial on March 10, 2009, to reveal the watchmakers' declarations.
- Gift of Lincoln Isham, great-grandson of Abraham Lincoln, 1958
- Location
- Currently not on view
- associated person
- Lincoln, Abraham
- ID Number
- PL.219098.01
- catalog number
- 219098.01
- accession number
- 219098
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Jacqueline Kennedy's 1961 Inaugural Ball Gown
- Location
- Currently not on view
- associated date
- 1961
- ID Number
- PL.234793.01
- catalog number
- 234793.01
- accession number
- 234793
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Valenciennes Bobbin Lace Border With Floral Design
- 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
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Elegant Border With Reticello Squares Edged with Scalloped Bobbin Lace
- 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
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Wedding Veil of Princess Stéphanie of Belgium
- Description
- This wedding veil was designed and made for Princess Stéphanie of Belgium for her wedding to Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria in 1881. The Hapsburg-Lothringen shield dominates the center back of the veil, while the coat-of-arms of Belgium is in the center of the garland of 21 coats-of-arms along the border with Belgian province shields on one side and the Austro-Hungarian on the other. The name "Leon Sacré" and "Bruxelles 1880" are worked in needlepoint by the central border motif of the Belgian Lion. The veil is made in fine Brussels Point de Gaze needle lace embellished with elaborate ferns, lilies, roses and other flowers on a gossamer fine handmade ground powdered with tiny dots. Queen Henriette commissioned Leon Sacré to design the veil for her daughter to be made by the best lace makers in Belgium. It was a wedding gift from the city of Brussels
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1880
- used date
- 1881-05-10
- 1927-01-27
- associated date
- 1964-06-18
- ID Number
- TE.T13491
- catalog number
- T13491
- accession number
- 254382
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Ñandutí Needle Lace Collar
- Description
- This collar is made in the Ñandutí technique with cotton thread. The motifs are circular and semi-circular and two strips are joined to make the collar. Probably made in Paraguay, South America. Ñandutí lace is made on a foundation fabric, which is removed later. Lace making was introduced to Paraguay by the Spaniards in the mid 1600's.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1880-1900
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- TE.T15212
- catalog number
- T15212
- accession number
- 290897
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
lace, lappet
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 18th century
- ID Number
- TE.T15350B
- catalog number
- T15350.00B
- accession number
- 293455
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Helen Keller's Watch
- Description
- This unusual watch, originally made to tell time in the dark, made the perfect present for Helen Keller. Deaf and blind from the age of nineteen months, Keller (1880-1968) grew up to become an accomplished writer and renowned champion for human rights.
- In 1892, when she was twelve, Keller met John Hitz, the superintendent of Alexander Graham Bell's Washington, D.C. establishment for the deaf, the Volta Bureau. Hitz, a retired diplomat, was the proud owner of a Swiss-made "touch watch." This uncommon watch has a case studded around the edge with pins that correspond to the hours on the watch dial. A revolving hand stops at a point between the pins that corresponds to the hour and approximate minute. With the hand and pins as locators, it was possible to feel the approximate time in the dark or, in the case of a diplomat like Hitz, discreetly. Hitz presented the watch to Keller, who prized it and used it her entire life.
- Once, in 1952, Keller accidentally left the watch behind in a New York City taxi. She feared it was lost forever. With ads in newspaper lost-and-found columns and the help of the head of the city's pawnbrokers, she recovered her prized possession from a hock shop.
- Date made
- ca 1865
- associated person
- Keller, Helen
- maker
- Rossel & Fils
- ID Number
- ME.335239
- catalog number
- 335239
- accession number
- 314555
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Shiffler Company Cape
- Description
- Some early American firefighters wore capes for protection, ornamentation, and identification. The stiff oil cloth protected their shoulders and upper body against fiery embers and water, and the decorative painting served to identify company members at chaotic fire scenes or on parade. The capes were often painted by local sign painters, some skilled artists like John A. Woodside, who also painted the company’s hats and banners and decorated their fire engines. Many of the capes in the firefighting collection display patriotic names and symbolism, reflecting themes important to 19th century volunteers, as well as the pride they felt in the early founding date of their fire company.
- This oil cloth cape is painted dark red overall, with a blue scroll in the center of the cape bearing the text “SHIFFLER” in gold. Above this, the initials “J.C.D.” are painted in gold, likely belonging to the owner of the cape. The shoulders of the cape have painted images of the American flag furled around a pole. The cape is likely from the Shiffler Fire Hose Company No. 32 of Philadelphia founded in 1846. It acquired a steam fire engine in 1865 and changed its name to Shiffler Hose and Steam Fire Engine Company operating as a steam fire engine company until 1871 when Philadelphia’s paid firefighting department was established. The company was named for George Shiffler, an 18-year-old who was killed during anti-Catholic riots in Philadelphia in 1844. These riots occurred during a time of growing tension between largely Protestant Nativists and immigrant Irish Catholics. Shiffler was killed outside an Irish Catholic firehouse, and became a celebrated martyr for the Nativist cause. These political and religious differences could divide fire companies, as volunteer fireman aligned with those who shared similar backgrounds. The Shiffler Hose Company would often brawl with the Irish Catholic members of the Moyamensing Hose Company when they crossed paths on the way to fires.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1846-1870
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0129
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0129
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Fashion
- Location
- Currently not on view
- photographer
- Regan, Ken
- ID Number
- 2014.0112.469
- catalog number
- 2014.0112.469
- accession number
- 2014.0112
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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scarf
- date made
- circa 2018-03-20
- Date of March for Our Lives
- March 24, 2018
- Reason for the March of Our Lives
- February 14, 2018
- Walkout organized by Naomi Wadler
- March 14, 2018
- ID Number
- 2018.0099.01
- accession number
- 2018.0099
- catalog number
- 2018.0099.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Gold Bracelet
- Description
- Crafted in the mid to later 1800s this bracelet is an example of skilled handiwork. It is plated in gold and decorated with patterned etching and floral accents.
- date made
- 1870-1890
- ID Number
- CS.200122.1327
- catalog number
- 200122.1327
- accession number
- 200122
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Ball Dress
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1810-03
- ID Number
- CS.228001.0118
- catalog number
- 228001.0118
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Walking Dress
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1818-02
- ID Number
- CS.228001.0192
- catalog number
- 228001.0192
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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French Court Dress
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- CS.228001.0196
- catalog number
- 228001.0196
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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- Manufacturing industries 1332
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- Art 443
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- Peters Prints 318
- Firefighting Collection 263
- Textiles 258
- Fire Fighting 131
- Adornment 117
- Lace and lace making 114
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object type
- button 1323
- Lithographs 317
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- Fashion Plate 103
- frontpiece, helmet 87
- Lace (needlework) 77
- collotype 43
- Main garments 36
- Dresses (garments) 34
- Chromolithographs 31
- Entire Body 22
- Hats 20
- pattern, bobbin lace 20
- Pins (fasteners) 19
- production papers 18
- Cosmetics 17
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- lace, border 14
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- Industry & Manufacturing 1331
- Work and Industry: Production and Manufacturing 1258
- Buttons 1038
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- Cultural and Community Life: Domestic Life 381
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- Peters Prints 318
- Cultural and Community Life: Fire Fighting and Law Enforcement 268
- Firefighting Collection 263
- Textiles 257
- Cultural and Community Life: Costume 247
- Cultures & Communities 198
- Lace 111
- Cultural and Community Life: Textiles 89
- Family & Social Life 87
- Fire Helmets 87
- Helmet Frontpieces 87
- National Museum of American History 83
