There’s no denying that First Ladies set trends, and an ongoing exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History highlights standout looks seen on presidents’ other halves throughout history. More than two dozen ensembles are on display, their original owners ranging from Dolley Madison, Mary Lincoln, Edith Roosevelt, and Lady Bird Johnson to Jacqueline Kennedy and Michelle Obama; some gowns date back more than 200 years. For those who can’t make it to Washington to view the exhibit, the diverse array of styles can also be seen online.
(Gowns above worn by Frances Cleveland, Helen Taft, Grace Coolidge)
Eleanor Roosevelt (inauguration), Eleanor Roosevelt (reception), Mamie Eisenhower
Mary Todd Lincoln, Jacqueline Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon
Rosalynn Carter, Nancy Reagan, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama
