SPOTLIGHT ON VINTAGE: INAUGURAL BALL GOWNS

[Linn]

This Wednesday, January 20th, Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will take the oath of office and become the 46th President of the United States. Due to the Pandemic, there will be no Inaugural Ball capping this year's festivities. Instead there will be a 90 Minute Prime Time special hosted by Tom Hanks that will air at 8:30EST. It will be shown on many major networks and streamed on various platforms.

Most of us at the VFG have loved checking out the gowns. This is from 2009:

Many of the former First Lady's gowns are on display at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington. And many can be found by doing searches.

For this weeks "SPOTLIGHT ON VINTAGE" - find a gown* you would want to wear if you were attending the Inaugural Ball - or that you would like to see the new First Lady or Vice President (Elect) Harris wear.

* Vintage (of course!) Please credit the source if you are "borrowing" 'it!

 

[denisebrain]

I would wear this early 70s Hardy Amies gown. I think it made me feel more glamorous than I had any right to feel!

 

[Vintagiality]

This gown in my shop right now which I absolutely love

 

[denisebrain]

I love that one too Victoria! The color!

 

[Linn]

I love both of them. I am torn so haven't selected one for myself although this one is in the running:

This is a Chez Ninon gown (after Nina Ricci) owned by Jackie Kennedy

 

[poppysvintageclothing]

Norbert Niewelt Evening Gown


Helena Barbieri Evening Gown

 

[Linn]

Gorgeous, MJ!

 

[Vintagiality]

Vogue has an article on inaugural gowns here
https://www.vogue.com/article/history-of-inauguration-day-fashion/

 

[Distantdetails]

I had the pleasure of seeing the First Lady Inaugural exhibit at the Smithsonian in 2015. I can't believe how much time I spent at each "station". It is a beautiful exhibit, and I admit I kept staring at how small some of these ladies were. Also, the ones I thought were more heavy-set did not appear so on the life-size mannequin. My pictures were not so good, so I purchased the companion book.
Here are a few pictures of the dress, shoes, and jewelry of Michelle Obama.

 

[denisebrain]

Janine, I visited that display just after Christmas in 2014—and purchased the book as well!

Linn, that is stunning, and it would look fantastic on you with your coloring.
Love that Helena Barbieri especially MJ—all that red silk satin!

 

[Midge]

All fabulous choices! I visited the Smithsonian exhibit in June 2010 - I spent a few days in Washington after a fabulous doll show in Philadelphia, and pretty much spent those days visiting museums. Go figure.... I didn't take any photos there though - it was a very busy day with lots of school kids around. I have a soft spot for Mamie Eisenhower's fuchsia pink gown (which she wore for another occasion) and which is visible in the photo of the gallery that Linn posted. That colour is just perfect, and I like the simple yet elegant shape.