Fashion at the Library

Upcoming Events

• Fashion at the Library of Congress: The Threads That Connect Us 2026-06-30 "Fashion at the Library of Congress: The Threads That Connect Us" explores how fashion has served as a powerful symbol of American identity and culture throughout the nation's history. This small display will be on view in the Great Hall mezzanine from June 8 through July 20.
• Fashion at the Library of Congress: The Threads That Connect Us 2026-07-01 "Fashion at the Library of Congress: The Threads That Connect Us" explores how fashion has served as a powerful symbol of American identity and culture throughout the nation's history. This small display will be on view in the Great Hall mezzanine from June 8 through July 20.
• Fashion at the Library of Congress: The Threads That Connect Us 2026-07-03 "Fashion at the Library of Congress: The Threads That Connect Us" explores how fashion has served as a powerful symbol of American identity and culture throughout the nation's history. This small display will be on view in the Great Hall mezzanine from June 8 through July 20.
• Fashion at the Library of Congress: The Threads That Connect Us 2026-07-04 "Fashion at the Library of Congress: The Threads That Connect Us" explores how fashion has served as a powerful symbol of American identity and culture throughout the nation's history. This small display will be on view in the Great Hall mezzanine from June 8 through July 20.
• Fashion at the Library of Congress: The Threads That Connect Us 2026-07-07 "Fashion at the Library of Congress: The Threads That Connect Us" explores how fashion has served as a powerful symbol of American identity and culture throughout the nation's history. This small display will be on view in the Great Hall mezzanine from June 8 through July 20.
• Fashion at the Library of Congress: The Threads That Connect Us 2026-07-08 "Fashion at the Library of Congress: The Threads That Connect Us" explores how fashion has served as a powerful symbol of American identity and culture throughout the nation's history. This small display will be on view in the Great Hall mezzanine from June 8 through July 20.
• Live! At the Library: "Clueless" (1995) 2026-07-09 Join us to watch “Clueless” (1995) under the stars! This movie was inducted into the National Film Registry in 2025. Clueless (1995 PG-13 1h38m) A wealthy and well-meaning Beverly Hills teen plays matchmaker for others—only to discover her own lessons in love and self-awareness along the way.
• Fashion at the Library of Congress: The Threads That Connect Us 2026-07-10 "Fashion at the Library of Congress: The Threads That Connect Us" explores how fashion has served as a powerful symbol of American identity and culture throughout the nation's history. This small display will be on view in the Great Hall mezzanine from June 8 through July 20.
• Fashion at the Library of Congress: The Threads That Connect Us 2026-07-11 "Fashion at the Library of Congress: The Threads That Connect Us" explores how fashion has served as a powerful symbol of American identity and culture throughout the nation's history. This small display will be on view in the Great Hall mezzanine from June 8 through July 20.
• Fashion at the Library of Congress: The Threads That Connect Us 2026-07-14 "Fashion at the Library of Congress: The Threads That Connect Us" explores how fashion has served as a powerful symbol of American identity and culture throughout the nation's history. This small display will be on view in the Great Hall mezzanine from June 8 through July 20.
• Fashion at the Library of Congress: The Threads That Connect Us 2026-07-15 "Fashion at the Library of Congress: The Threads That Connect Us" explores how fashion has served as a powerful symbol of American identity and culture throughout the nation's history. This small display will be on view in the Great Hall mezzanine from June 8 through July 20.
• Fashion at the Library of Congress: The Threads That Connect Us 2026-07-17 "Fashion at the Library of Congress: The Threads That Connect Us" explores how fashion has served as a powerful symbol of American identity and culture throughout the nation's history. This small display will be on view in the Great Hall mezzanine from June 8 through July 20.
• Fashion at the Library of Congress: The Threads That Connect Us 2026-07-18 "Fashion at the Library of Congress: The Threads That Connect Us" explores how fashion has served as a powerful symbol of American identity and culture throughout the nation's history. This small display will be on view in the Great Hall mezzanine from June 8 through July 20.
• Live! At the Library: Fashion at the Library: Fashion of the First Ladies 2026-07-23 Join a panel of style experts as they discuss the fashion of America’s First Ladies, exploring how style has communicated values, authority, and national identity across eras, from Dolley Madison to Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy. By examining these First Ladies through the Library’s collection, the program will highlight how fashion became part of the historical narrative of the presidency.

Explore the Collections

Fashion weaves through every division of the Library of Congress, reflecting the universal American experience, from 19th-century sewing patterns in the General Collections, to copyright deposits, to classic costume sketches in the Music Division, and to photographs from Vogue’s 100th anniversary in Prints and Photographs. We invite you to explore Fashion items in the Library of Congress digital collections, blogs, videos, research guides, and more.

• Look Collection
• Federal Theatre Project, 1935 to 1939
• Carpenter Collection

Exhibitions

• The Gibson Girl’s America: Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson
• Grand Illusion: The Art of Theatrical Design
• Coast to Coast: The Federal Theatre Project, 1935-1939

Featured Videos

• Threads of Aloha: Hawaiian Fashion in American Life
• The Style Stakes: How the Kentucky Derby Shaped American Fashion
• Lookin’ Sharp: Reflections on the Zoot Suit and Black Style
• Small Clothes, Big Stories: Fashion Dolls and the American Story
• “Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel” Documentary & Conversation
• Clothing as Currency: Women and Property after the Revolution
• Shopping All the Way to the Woods with Rachel Gross
• The Preservation and Presence of Textiles in Library and Museum Collections
• Tim Gunn on Disco Fashion
• Publicity, Celebrity, Fashion: Photographing Edna St. Vincent Millay
• Eleanor Lambert: Still Here
• 2022 National Book Festival: Black Girls Sew with Hekima Hapa and Lesley Ware
• Diane von Furstenberg: National Book Festival 2021
• The Will to Adorn: Reflections on African American Identity and the Aesthetics of Dress
• African American Dollmaking and Puppetry: Renegotiating Identity, Restoring Community
• The Origins of Traditional Palestinian Costumes & Embroidery
• Designing "The Wiz"

Research Guides

• American Women: Resources from the General Collections The General Collections of the Library of Congress constitute most of the books and bound periodicals published since 1800. Part of the American Women series, this research guide highlights primary and secondary sources about American women's history.
• Art Topics and Resources in the Manuscript Collections at the Library of Congress Primary sources for research can be found in personal papers, official documents, and written accounts. This guide focuses on various art topics including photography, sculpture, fashion, and design.
• Amelia Bloomer: Topics in Chronicling America An early suffragist and social activist, Bloomer is best known for her work to change women’s clothing styles. This guide provides access to materials related to “Amelia Bloomer” in the Chronicling America digital collection of historic newspapers.
• Bicycle Fashion (1887-1907): Topics in Chronicling America In the late 19th century, women have caught onto the bicycle fad and fashion designers are accomodating. This guide provides access to materials related to "Bicycle Fashion" in the Chronicling America digital collection of historic newspapers.
• Paul Poiret: Topics in Chronicling America Paul Poiret became an influential couturier in the early 1900s and is revered as the "King of Fashion." This guide provides access to materials related to "Paul Poiret" in the Chronicling America digital collection of historic newspapers.
• Clothing, Costume, and Fashion: A Guide to Resources This guide compiles resources about clothing and dress from ancient eras to the current day, including print materials, subscription databases, and external websites.
• Fashion Industry: A Resource Guide Resources for those studying the business aspects of the fashion and apparel industry.
• French Women & Feminists in History: A Resource Guide An overview of French women in history and the evolution of the French feminist movement. It includes English and French-language resources, primary sources and covers the Middle Ages, Witch Trials, Ancien Régime, Revolutionary and Modern eras in France.
• Organized Labor Since the 19th Century: A Research Guide This guide offers resources on the history of organized labor and labor unions in the United States.
• Interconnecting Worlds: Weaving Community Narratives, Andean Histories & the Library’s Collections This guide facilitates research about Andean peoples, cultures, and knowledges. It also connects Library of Congress collections to the Quechua language, storytelling & literature, visual arts, and music.

Blog Posts

• Looking Up at Woodies: Fashion, Memory and Veterans’ Stories in Washington, D.C. What can a historic department store reveal about veterans' experiences? Inspired by Washington's iconic Woodward & Lothrop building, this post explores unexpected connections between fashion, community life and stories preserved by the Veterans History Project. Through photographs and personal narratives, it shows how everyday places can open doors to hidden histories.
• Fashioning Culture As part of of the Library's celebration of fashion, the American Folklife Center looks at the intersections of fashion, culture, and traditional handcrafts as documented in several folklife collections.
• A Functional Fashion: Uniforms of the U.S. Army The uniforms of the Continental Army, the soldiers who secured the independence of the United States two hundred and fifty years ago, were very different than the camouflage of today. Rather than blend into their environment, they often made soldiers stand out.
• Ridley’s on Grand The Library holds many years of "Fashion Magazine" published by Edward Ridley & Sons, a 19th century department store in New York City. The magazine can be used to see the styles of the day and to understand what merchandise the store actually sold.
• Join AFC and The Legacy Collective for June Family Day: 250 Years of American Fashion On June 13th, the American Folklife Center joins June Family Day: 250 Years of American Fashion. We will be joined by The Legacy Collective, a group of local multi-disciplinary artists and members of the African American Craft Alliance, who will present a compelling display of African and African American textile and fashion traditions. This post presents some highlights from AFC’s past participation in Family Days events and provides a teaser for The Legacy Collective’s display and activity, during which audiences will be able to explore African American doll-making and to learn about — and experience — traditional and contemporary head wrapping.
• June 2026 Family Day: Celebrating Fashion at the Library of Congress Explore fashion through the decades at June’s family day, and discover resources that can inspire you from home.
• Dressed to Spill: A Personal Protective Equipment Fashion Editorial Fashion at the Library is IN. The Threads that Connect Us provides an excellent opportunity to showcase how Washington DC may just be the new fashion capital of the world. Enter the Preservation Directorate at the Library of Congress. The runway never looked so chic (and safe!)
• “There’s a world of sheep all over”: sheep and wool traditions In an effort to extend the enjoyment of a recent sheep and wool festival, AFC Folklife Specialist Meg Nicholas explores sheep-related collection materials found in the American Folklife Center.
• The Style Stakes: How the Kentucky Derby Shaped American Fashion, April 23 Special Event On April 23, 2026 the Library of Congress is bringing the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby to D.C. with an evening program filled with Derby-themed activities, collection displays, and a conversation with Derby experts about fashion, culture and history of one the most iconic sporting events in the U.S.
• Knit your bit! As part of the effort for World War I, the Women’s Bureau of the American Red Cross Association organized a nationwide knitting campaign to support soldiers overseas by keeping them warm with handmade garments. Many U.S. newspapers published articles to rally support for these campaigns and provide instructions for creating and shipping the garments. Read more about it!
• Fiercely Fashionable: Tobé Coller Davis, Eleanor Lambert, and Virginia Pope The 20th century saw three women, Tobé Coller Davis, Eleanor Lambert, and Virginia Pope, making a mark on American fashion.
• Chronicling American Fashion: May Manton’s Turn of the Century Designs If you were to browse newspapers around the turn of the 20th century, you might see May Manton’s (Jessie Swirles Bladworth) fashion commentary or easily accessible sewing patterns. Much of the fashion icon’s advice can be found in the historic newspapers in Chronicling America. Read more about it!
• Business Collections Orientation March 25: The Clothing and Fashion Industry The Library of Congress Business Section invites you to a 30-minute webinar at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25. The session will use examples from the business collections on the clothing and fashion industry.
• Law Library Publishes New Report on Extended Producer Responsibility for Textiles in Selected Jurisdictions This blog posts gives an overview of the newly published Law Library report on extended producer responsibility for textiles in selected jurisdictions.
• What “Haute Couture” Really Means in French Law On today's blog post, Louis examines the definition of "Haute Couture" and how French legislation identifies “couture” companies from mass-market producers.
• The Parachute Dresses of World War II: A Story of Resilience, Romance and Resourcefulness This post recounts three stories of formal dresses that were made out of World War II silk parachutes. In two cases, they were wedding dresses, meaning that silk once intended for war had been transformed into a symbol of new beginnings. These stories are striking reminders that history isn’t just found in archives or interviews—it’s stitched into uniforms, tucked into footlockers and woven into parachute silk transformed into wedding gowns. These everyday artifacts speak volumes, capturing emotion, memory and meaning in ways words sometimes cannot. The stories come from the collections of the Veterans History Project.
• “Wait, It Is Not About Wigs?” – The Story of Faso Dan Fani Court Robes in Burkina Faso Today on the blog, foreign law intern Louis Gilbert brings us a post on Burkina Faso replacing colonial-era court robes with Faso Dan Fani, a traditional fabric, symbolizing national pride.
• Celebrating the Mummers Parade: A Day at the Mummers Museum Supporting collections care is incredibly important for the safeguarding of our cultural heritage for current and future generations to appreciate. Hear about a volunteer project at the Mummers' Museum from Chloe Genter and Cheyenne McClain.
• From Louboutin to Pink Insulation: How Can a Company Trademark a Color? Today's post examines the trademark laws established and how companies are able to trademark certain colors.
• Late 19th-Century Fall Fashions See chromolithographic illustrations of fashion designs for men, women and children through advertisements produced by dressmakers and tailoring companies from the 1880s and 1890s.
• Millinery as a Top Industry for Women A brief post for those interested in the history of the hat making industry with a cameo from Lilly Daché.
• What Not to Wear: Clothing Rationing During World War II A post on clothing rationing during World War II as materials were prioritized for the war.
• The Hands that Spun the Revolution A brief history of how the promotion of homespun clothing in the American colonies traces its origin to resistance on the part of colonists to several British laws that required the taxation of imported goods.
• From the Dry Goods Economist 1909: Corsets & Undergarments This is the third post in our series about the Dry Goods Economist, and focuses on undergarments and corsets.
• From the Dry Goods Economist 1909: Fashion & Beauty This is the second in a series of posts about the “Dry Goods Economist” a trade publication for those in the business dry goods business and focus on the fashion and beauty content.

See more blog posts

StoryMaps

• Threads and Words This StoryMap will explore the variety of materials at the Library of Congress that are textile-based or textile-adjacent, including items bound and formed by cloth as well as primary materials that inform research into textiles such as pattern books and images depicting textiles.

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Resources

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• Research at the Library