![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxg_RZ74P69sHimqJW1EgC5iVn8Z6tYsGx46OmUyZrge-G7Vw4aeqsoaJQ35pTb75Hi5o7L0FOBH9KKxZHkK96wYNRiY9IIBD9lN48SeN3hzmwd2DEtWUFbJNA5dK2mrr8YHOq1kMphk/s400/flapper+beading+detail.jpg)
Examples such as these mid 19th century Empire styled dresses were in such immaculate condition with such vivid colors you would have thought they were just sewn yesterday.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DslOQ0O6918weImQ1b597Dl_H2vex2WauW_-1ejjgKV-bjUFusoYIKsClwaLep8bVzNifT-c3_O0MnPTnqL1yYiunra5B880FjQadp7IDlFRSL6A8mRESBaQD9LxekaTHz2Daep8vBE/s400/empire+waist.jpg)
Seeing this fairly recent dress compared with an Edwardian train was another example of a great pairing.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYY44GoYbJXfqyFty17RAafBkZISPIXk55G6Qv4TS_Bqi5-c_VR7u5SdAavjQasBdS_cN3VmTWVXQx1gw5hbldYTei0rBAcm7AnHwgdDffCcVKUojxixp4wbBykpXyb2kKv4zEvNN0wxA/s400/dresses.jpg)
And just how are those bustles kept up (throughout different periods)?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlP25QRA6JEinHIaeT35XM0ZK70FAvTbYzfMVSImoTPjYlMiH8mwAetpVXT29jywnietU_izsoTpJYzH-8bG4yRhTUiUefl7pff-uVOLlFt4yNmJvfNUT08DgenZ6rz5tsTnbzhCrWAU/s400/bustle+behind.jpg)
The layout of this exhibit really is impeccable. I always say the right presentation can make the most mundane exhibit interesting (I recently saw a fascinating exhibit on parking garages at the
NBM. Come on, I mean...they made parking structures interesting!).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo14PWpZ2BcixwVNqhWfkrjOJuyz73bq8IcHlOZMXp1f5isgKwPMopXuTjrSEiEunknfiF381Iz3rwG_ywSMpg5bt0JpiKcOSdQMyw8Yb8acd7-jo59Z3Zg4ITfoQngaPEERxMc9iUMIs/s400/bustle.jpg)
These bodices were in such beautiful colors.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92tz4FUisdSf5SE2fX5LLJJ7OT-3MpW7eX4wjxg7NNctVYUZQ0rnDHHPfOKsr-DFgRw7kMCk7qM3YlmaiLghxP2y7SRGV-qBPrmUVLp3U6C_L4hdHJhfadAz_LdAafKhd_xvuhtXFk20/s400/bodice.jpg)
More amazing beading work.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2XqM8BkpxPWrMtlIvyYf89NVsyXGbYB2hL_GEVUqB5Y-LYwl4yWiLZS8SP8HPDUhRjeFWsX0_OjCoVLYW01Hy-oWS8qCDkInqZnuXSW46dbzg8TrDHvJt1MIuRJ7Vk9R4pUICxKuXtNE/s400/beading+detail.jpg)
This is a whole lot of look, but in the right situation, pretty fabulous!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-Bj9fv6kjKnM-3plIHIYmEYgbNdqQWzIlRhs_wSwCGNsXRguQri1qLJOVvJ-Pxyvx-tehvMxkToyIJXdth4WS6h_oMz_iLmaRbjpqClMOo6BsnLeBvKR4D8kLbCOo9jRzQe3Fxm7qnE/s400/ballgown.jpg)
Spain's own Balenciaga is of course represented. I loved all of his clothing they showed.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNjpQzFdR9swCXFywDC3zxPjQb9VqbUH4z0egdxtUxuR7gloqVshpsXHQ37d8QZfk4u9aF7MMrBDptEEjRp9xW_XlAqBUb4NH78dlvCUoNsoA_QL-HZR1Jo00dJB39hStE4edR5IZ7xg/s400/Balenciaga.jpg)
Some more bizarre pairings showing yet again how things never change; they just come in and out of fashion, nothing is ever 'new'.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVfRQHRB1K2lJqZYXnCaUgrJt6JgvgLanRKE6-ZGnOlbbJI2QLmp763orAHcDVDpNuf5KqonISgL5G0A0JPMCBIkTl26NDsUz3ZhwXn0sXG4gnHciGm6yj9U5OodQONNdVDNsfiF2v524/s400/assortment.jpg)
These body conscious dresses below come from all different styles and time periods.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3GksXmGl4jBwkcqkEI8GfBLFn66uU6Ii5q8jR7wuA8cDUs8yXd_wOXAuAmS8kDzAuhy7kwoU6nd3qq08TxAhPNOGJij4S41WMPvSjR7WtxeGV74vM2bI9nN5rZYjKL1Uy7bT9tLWm4zY/s400/20th+century+dresses.jpg)
Not everything is so beautiful, will these ever be back in style? That red men's polyester number really made my skin itch
!![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikicyxNH98iDwCXdLuXHTpj6ZQMa1bRPPCbnw9TF57x3lTsGU4cTmfDZac4LFp8b4H8k1Srq3olF1hyphenhyphen4GgBhyDWRPAQygw_UXvdON0jVPXhN2n0L-4HCd2Vi6CWFf6nhhwcUymCNHzdd8/s400/hippy+fashion.jpg)
Make sure to stop by this amazing museum, right on the metro line. You can't beat 3 museums in 1: Textile, Ceramics and decorative arts.