Unraveling the Colorful History of Why Girls Wear Pink and Boys Wear Blue
Children used to wear the same white dresses, regardless of gender. But clothing styles and color preferences shifted in the mid-20th century
See the New Tartan Pattern Created to Honor Women Accused of Witchcraft in Scotland Between 1563 and 1736
The black, red, gray and pink design honors the thousands of individuals—mostly women—who were persecuted under the Scottish Witchcraft Act
![The New Jersey Morning Call said Billy Possum had “a head that is likely to give a baby [a] nightmare.”](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/C_ChOJDb93Bxfo23E_V2_PBylcs=/450x300/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer_public/59/ef/59ef4b94-0d85-4b9a-90d1-c49db418433c/billy-possum.jpg)
How a Stuffed Animal Named Billy Possum Tried—and Failed—to Replace the Teddy Bear as America’s National Toy
In 1909, wealthy widow Susie W. Allgood marketed a plush marsupial inspired by President William Howard Taft. But children thought the toy looked “too much like a rat,” and it sold poorly
See Lily Gladstone’s Stunning Oscar Gowns Designed by an Indigenous Artist
The two gowns were a collaboration between Gucci and a porcupine quillwork artist. Both are now on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian
Birkenstocks Are Not Works of Art, According to a German Court
The ruling comes after years of legal battles surrounding cheaper knock-offs, which the company argues are a violation of copyright law
From Shears to Sweaters, an Experimental New Exhibition Examines the Long, Wooly Relationship Between Humans and Sheep
The Amsterdam show features an eclectic mix of wool garments, life-size sheep replicas and philosophical musings about the interconnectedness of the two species
The Louvre Is Hosting Its First-Ever Fashion Exhibition
The world’s most-visited museum is spotlighting clothing and accessories from 45 fashion houses and designers
A Blockbuster Exhibition on Samurai Reveals How the Warriors Dressed the Part
The display of exquisite samurai armor in Oklahoma highlights the importance of aesthetics to Japan’s famed fighters
One of Britain’s Most Beloved Royal Couples Wed on This Day in 1840
Queen Victoria’s marriage to Prince Albert popularized white wedding dresses. Later, her mourning of his passing cemented the image of a grieving widow in black
Immerse Yourself in the Polka-Dotted World of Yayoi Kusama at a Massive New Retrospective
An exhibition in Melbourne features around 200 of the 95-year-old Japanese artist’s works, as well as artifacts that help tell the story of her life
Why Has Gold Dazzled So Many Cultures Throughout History?
An exhibition in Brooklyn examines gold’s ubiquitous appeal across thousands of years through art, artifacts, paintings, sculptures and fashion
How an Engraving of Queen Victoria Ushered in the Era of the Bouquet Holder in England
The monarch set fashion trends during her time, and the flower holder became a sought-after accessory in Victorian society
From Jealous Spouses to Paranoid Bosses, Pedometers Quantified Suspicion in the 19th Century
The devices were used to track movement and measure productivity—an insightful foreshadowing of our current preoccupation with personal data
From Silk Moths to Fruit Flies, These Five Insects Have Changed the World
It’s easy to write bugs off as pests, but consider the ways in which they have positively impacted our lives
This Ancient Celtic Helmet Is the Oldest Ever Found in Poland
Unearthed at the Łysa Góra archaeological site, the artifact, some 2,300 years old, is a prime example of Celtic metalworking
Discover the Special Meaning Behind Kamala Harris’ Pearls
The vice president, who will give a speech at the Democratic National Convention to accept the presidential nomination Thursday night, often wears jewelry connected to her historically Black sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha
Is Princess Leia’s ‘Star Wars’ Bikini the Most Controversial Costume in Sci-Fi History?
A version of the gold outfit worn by Carrie Fisher on the set of “Return of the Jedi” fetched $175,000 at auction
From Corsets to Singlets, the Olympics Have Driven the Evolution of Women’s Sportswear
The bold choices of female athletes like Serena Williams have pushed brands, including Nike and Speedo, to produce better gear
Taylor Swift Is in Her Museum Era
The singer’s costumes and memorabilia are the subject of an upcoming exhibition at London’s V&A Museum
How a Questionably Fashionable Shirt Bowled America Over
The gaudy top went from practical necessity to vintage treasure
Page 1 of 19