Lady Bird Johnson's Inaugural Coat, 1965

Gift of Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson

Lady Bird Johnson wore this yellow satin gown and sable-trimmed coat to the 1965 inaugural balls. The White House did not normally discuss the first lady’s designers but, because of the “special occasion and intense interest” surrounding the inaugural gown, staff announced that it was designed by John Moore. Aware of the tradition of donating the dress for exhibit at the Smithsonian, Mrs. Johnson chose a simple design that she thought would age well.

Photo credit: Photo courtesy of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History