Fashion Week at the Smithsonian

You might not see the Olsen twins or Kimye canoodling on the Mall, but the Smithsonian has plenty of eye-catching threads for the fashion-inclined. From historical to hip, America’s finest fashions are right here in D.C.

Though it had been on loan for years, Benjamin Franklin’s suit from his 1778 diplomatic mission to France was finally added to the Smithsonian’s permanent collection in August. Purchased from the Massachusetts Historical Society, the suit was worn on Franklin’s historic trip to secure the Treaty of Alliance during the Revolutionary War. Now too delicate to display frequently, the outfit was originally a rich plum color. Though the frilly collar and long coat now seem absurdly formal, the suit’s simple design was actually supposed to speak Franklin’s vision of America as an honest and simple country, according to curator Nancy Davis.

Feedsack dresses were an economic necessity for the hard-hit farming families of the 1920s and 30s. But that doesn’t mean women didn’t take pride in creating one-of-a-kind designs. The bag manufacturers even began responding to market demand, according to the American History Museum, by printing ever-more colorful patterns on their products. Fashionable and frugal, the feedsack trend continued through WWII with regional contests for women to show off their skills.

Though her life was overshadowed by tragedy and a fictionalized biography by author Joyce Carol Oates, Marilyn Monroe has retained her place as a fashion icon. Her blonde hair, pinup makeup and sexy ensembles catapulted the Hollywood diva to fame. But even a sex icon knows when to cover up. Her kidskin evening gloves reflect a timeless elegance America returns to season after season.

Neither alluring nor tragic, the next star to earn a spot on the catwalk is comedian Jerry Seinfeld. Known for playing more or less himself in Larry David’s hit series, “Seinfeld,” his claim to fashion fame comes from one of David’s favorite episodes, The Puffy Shirt. Because of an unfortunate miscommunication, Seinfeld must appear on the Today show wearing a pirate-inspired blouse designed by Kramer’s then-girlfriend. Never known for keeping his comments to himself on anything big or small, Seinfeld decries the frilly garment on air.

It may be too fancy for Seinfeld’s plain tastes, but the Smithsonian was happy to take it. The actor told the Washington Post, “This might be the first joke inducted into the Smithsonian Institution.” While Seinfeld may prefer his quintessentially America blue jeans, the puffed up shirt gently pokes fun at haute couture.

Known as Hollywood for ugly people, D.C. has long challenged that claim with stylish State icons. From Martha Washington to Jackie Kennedy and Nancy Reagan, no group has done more for the fashion credibility of the nation’s capital than the First Ladies. When Michelle Obama went with Manhattan-based designer Jason Wu for her 2009 inaugural ball, she set the bar high. Throughout her time in the capital, whether she’s championing healthy food policies for our children or reaching out to returning veterans, the FLOTUS continues to bring D.C.’s fashion game to a new level. The Harvard Business Review even published a study in 2010 on the “Michelle Obama Effect,” citing the boost brands, including many American companies like J.Crew, receive after seen on the trend-setting First Lady.

Leah Binkovitz | | READ MORE

Leah Binkovitz is a Stone & Holt Weeks Fellow at Washington Post and NPR. Previously, she was a contributing writer and editorial intern for the At the Smithsonian section of Smithsonian magazine.