Artifacts

Mahpeyker or Kösem

“Roads of Arabia” Presents Hundreds of Recent Finds That Recast the Region’s History

More than 300 objects begin a North American tour at the Sackler, adding new chapters to Saudi Arabia's history

Matchbook in the shape of a folded men’s shirt, with incised checkerboard-patterned weave, cuffs and bib, smiling child’s head peering out from opening at collar. Reverse inscribed “New York Clothing House, 102 & 104 Baltimore St., Baltimore.” Upper curved section swings open to reveal match compartment, c. mid-19th century.

Favorites From the Cooper-Hewitt’s New Online Collection

The museum's clothing and textiles are unwrapped for view as never before

Emily Post (left): 1946, National Portrait Gallery. Diana Vreeland (right): 1989, National Portrait Gallery.

Dress Codes and Etiquette, Part 2: Diana Vreeland vs. Emily Post on Vulgarity

How much drama is too much? These two famous women, who wielded power over how we dress, could have debated the subject

None

Stockings Series, Part 3: Ads from the Archives, 1890-1939

For decades, Ivory sold itself as the suds that made legwear last longer

None

Paint-on Hosiery During the War Years

A back "seam" drawn with an eyebrow pencil topped off the resourceful fashion effect

None

Stocking Series, Part 1: Wartime Rationing and Nylon Riots

As hemlines rose, DuPont's wonder fabric was a sensation among women. But during WWII, it was needed for parachutes

None

The Swimsuit Series, Part 6: Ladies in Wading in Art

A look at how artists spent their summer vacations—at the beach

None

What Did Playtex Have to Do With Neil Armstrong?

The astronaut's lunar outfit was designed by the women's bra manufacturer and inspired a series of space age fashions

None

The Swimsuit Series, Part 5: Olympic Athletes, Posing

Vintage styles cycle in and out of favor among medal-winning racers

None

Packing List Series, Part 2: An Artist’s Illustrated Guide

With a watercolor sketchbook guide, Adolf Konrad drew on his talents to record his belongings

None

When LBJ Ordered Pants From the White House

Johnson liked his Haggar slacks slack—and colorfully described a special custom-cut

None

The Long Journey of Chief Joseph’s War Shirt

Important Native American artifact seen in Smithsonian portrait fetches $877,500 at Nevada auction

None

Wearing Wool, All Summer Long

Layered, corseted summer garments kept women proper and fashionable, if not cool

None

The Swimsuit Series, Part 2: Beauty Pageants and the Inevitable Swimsuit Competition

In the latest chapter of the series, we look at how bathing suits came to be an integral part of the Miss America competition

None

The Indelible Mister Rogers

Besides how to be a good neighbor, Mr. Rogers taught us other lessons, especially about the impact of a comforting change of clothes

Seven female swimmers at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., 1920

How Bathing Suits Went From Two-pieces to Long Gowns and Back

Bikinis may have been illegal in 1900, but they were all the rage in ancient Rome

None

Welcome to Threaded! And a Dig Through the Archives

Welcome to Threaded, your go-to fashion blog for all things historical and sartorial

Chemist Mehdi Moini is perfecting a new technique for understanding the past.

How Old is That Silk Artifact?

A chemist from the Textile Museum is perfecting a new technique for understanding the past

On the western coast of Hawaii there is a large, raised platform of stacked lava rock. The terrace, a sacred temple called Hikiau Heiau, dates to the 18th century, if not earlier.

Six Sacred Sites of Hawaii

Take a tour of the idyllic sites across the many islands where native Hawaiians have longstanding spiritual connections

Folk artist Lavern Kelley's "Classroom with Three Figures"

The List: Seven “Back to School” Artifacts

As teachers and students head back into the classroom, we present a list of the Smithsonian Institution's most interesting school-related objects

Page 35 of 39