The Smithsonian isn’t exactly known for its fashion. The biggest exhibits that come to mind are the First Ladies’ Dresses or Entertainment Nation. But here are a few unexpected exhibits you can find fashion in the Smithsonian.
1) America By Air- Air and Space Museum
This exhibit covers the history of commercial aviation in the United States. Alongside the airplanes and hands-on displays are uniforms from pilots and flight attendants throughout the years.
Without these men and women, air travel wouldn’t be possible or nearly as comfortable as it is today. I love browsing the uniforms and challenging myself to guess what year they’re from before reading the sign.
2) Object Project- American History Museum
Do you ever think about how simple objects, like a bicycle or a Tupperware container, have shaped your life? Object Project asks you to consider that with over 300 everyday objects, including some of the first mass-produced blouses and shoes.
Clothing is one of those everyday objects you probably don’t think about very much. But ready-to-wear clothing revolutionized the American apparel industry and made it what it is today. Besides the artifacts on display, you can try on historical clothing from their archives with a virtual game.
3) Hall of Gemology, Gems, and Minerals- Natural History Museum
The Hall of Gems is one of the most popular exhibits in the Natural History Museum. Everyone loves looking at the sparkly gems, weird minerals, and fun rocks. It’s probably not what comes to mind when you think of fashion.
But the biggest draw in the exhibit is the Hope Diamond- a necklace. The next couple of rooms also have glittering jewelry pieces, from necklaces to rings to crowns. They’ve been one of my favorite things to see in the Natural History Museum since I was a child.
If you have a daughter interested in fashion, any of these exhibits would be a great choice to see in Washington, DC.
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