Margaret Chase Smith Library

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A Fitting Tribute:
A collection of Margaret Chase Smith's clothing from significant events
in her life and career from the 1920's to the 1970's

Clothing Exhibit

"The first thing you see is her smile, which is always frank and friendly, with blue-gray eyes that gaze straight at you. She has beautiful, wavy gray hair and the complexion of a school girl. She walks with a brisk step that fits the purposeful set of her chin, and when you meet her you are glad that we have women like her in our Congress."
Christian Science Monitor
September 4, 1947

Black and White Checked Jersey Dress

MRS. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON
The early Congresswoman was not the polished, formal businesswoman of later years. At her swearing in ceremony, she wore a simple black and white checked jersey dress. When the occasion called for more formal attire she always fell back on a "little black dress."

Flapper Dresses

THE ROARING TWENTIES
Always interested in making a good impression, the young Margaret Chase in a speech to high school girls in 1920 recommended: "Many good looking girls are bright, but it is the girl who is well dressed, clean and pleasant who leads in the business world today."
As dresses got shorter and less restricting, Margaret kept up with the fashion of the day wearing beautiful "Flapper" dresses while President of the Maine Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW) Clubs in 1926-27. Not only did she insist on the best she could afford from Skowhegan, but she was lucky enough to have given to her the beige Italian lace dress and her unique royal blue wedding dress from Paris "haute couture."

Clothing Exhibit
THE WASHINGTON SOCIAL SCENE
Once in Washington, Margaret Chase Smith was the serious representative of the people, never missing a vote. However, she occasionally enjoyed a formal reception at the White House in a surprisingly revealing black velvet gown from the 40's or the dress she wore with Vice President Johnson in the 1960's.
Many occasions for speeches required Senator Smith to dress formally and the girl from Skowhegan can hardly believe, today, she ever spoke in places like the Waldorf-Astoria. She continued her association with the BPW and was guest speaker many times. "What a career!" she exclaims.

Wedding Dress

Velvet Gowns

1964 Republican National Convention

HISTORY MAKING ATTIRE
Not fooled by delusions of grandeur, but with a realistic understanding of an underdog; Margaret Chase Smith took on the political bigwigs of the day when she became the first woman to run for the presidential nomination of a major political party. She braved the -20 degree cold campaigning in New Hampshire and made a respectable showing at the Republican National Convention in 1964.

Clothing Exhibit

ACADEMICS
From 1943 to 1991; a different sort of gown graced this lady's shoulders ninety-five times when she was awarded Honorary Degrees from institutions all over the country.
SUITABLE APPAREL
Perhaps most familiar to her constituents is the image of Margaret Chase Smith in her Senate attire. A plain business suit or dress allowed her to fit into the "Ultimate Men's Club"; but her addition of the trademark rose allowed her to remain "always a lady."

Air Force Reserve Uniform and Flight Suit
Hats
Best Dressed Woman in Government (1950)

REGIMENTAL REVIEW
Never afraid to try anything once, Senator Smith ventured from the heights of the clouds while breaking the sound barrier to the depths of the ocean in a nuclear submarine while reviewing military equipment for the Armed Services Committee. She always looked the figure of authority in her blue wool-serge Air Force Reserve Uniform.
A GALLERY OF HATS
No exhibit would be complete without a gallery of Margaret Chase Smith in the many hats she wore both literally and figuratively. The petite, five foot three and one half inch Congresswoman was often referred to as the "tall, sturdy woman from Maine"—a reference more appropriate to her political prowess than her physical stature.
Her adventurous spirit took her from logging camps, snowmobile trails, and ladies clubs luncheons in Maine to the far corners of the world with military men and heads of state. Not even a broken arm on Friday the 13th could slow the pace of this gracious "model of feminine smartness."
Voted Most Charming Woman in Government and the Sixth Best Senator in the same year (1952), Margaret Chase Smith achieved a reputation as both a gracious lady and a tough-minded politician.
Museum

Library & Museum Hours:
Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Please call (207) 474-7133 for more information concerning resources available at the
Margaret Chase Smith Library.

Copyright ©1999 Margaret Chase Smith Library.
This page last modified: November 2009
URL: http://www.mcslibrary.org

A Fitting Tribute: A collection of Margaret Chase Smith's clothing from significant events in her life and career from the 1920's to the 1970's
	"The first thing you see is her smile, which is always frank and friendly, with blue-gray eyes that gaze straight at you. She has beautiful, wavy gray hair and the complexion of a school girl. She walks with a brisk step that fits the purposeful set of her chin, and when you meet her you are glad that we have women like her in our Congress." Christian Science Monitor September 4, 1947
	MRS. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON The early Congresswoman was not the polished, formal businesswoman of later years. At her swearing in ceremony, she wore a simple black and white checked jersey dress. When the occasion called for more formal attire she always fell back on a "little black dress."
	THE ROARING TWENTIES Always interested in making a good impression, the young Margaret Chase in a speech to high school girls in 1920 recommended: "Many good looking girls are bright, but it is the girl who is well dressed, clean and pleasant who leads in the business world today." As dresses got shorter and less restricting, Margaret kept up with the fashion of the day wearing beautiful "Flapper" dresses while President of the Maine Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW) Clubs in 1926-27. Not only did she insist on the best she could afford from Skowhegan, but she was lucky enough to have given to her the beige Italian lace dress and her unique royal blue wedding dress from Paris "haute couture."
	THE WASHINGTON SOCIAL SCENE Once in Washington, Margaret Chase Smith was the serious representative of the people, never missing a vote. However, she occasionally enjoyed a formal reception at the White House in a surprisingly revealing black velvet gown from the 40's or the dress she wore with Vice President Johnson in the 1960's. Many occasions for speeches required Senator Smith to dress formally and the girl from Skowhegan can hardly believe, today, she ever spoke in places like the Waldorf-Astoria. She continued her association with the BPW and was guest speaker many times. "What a career!" she exclaims.

	HISTORY MAKING ATTIRE Not fooled by delusions of grandeur, but with a realistic understanding of an underdog; Margaret Chase Smith took on the political bigwigs of the day when she became the first woman to run for the presidential nomination of a major political party. She braved the -20 degree cold campaigning in New Hampshire and made a respectable showing at the Republican National Convention in 1964.
	ACADEMICS From 1943 to 1991; a different sort of gown graced this lady's shoulders ninety-five times when she was awarded Honorary Degrees from institutions all over the country. SUITABLE APPAREL Perhaps most familiar to her constituents is the image of Margaret Chase Smith in her Senate attire. A plain business suit or dress allowed her to fit into the "Ultimate Men's Club"; but her addition of the trademark rose allowed her to remain "always a lady."
	REGIMENTAL REVIEW Never afraid to try anything once, Senator Smith ventured from the heights of the clouds while breaking the sound barrier to the depths of the ocean in a nuclear submarine while reviewing military equipment for the Armed Services Committee. She always looked the figure of authority in her blue wool-serge Air Force Reserve Uniform. A GALLERY OF HATS No exhibit would be complete without a gallery of Margaret Chase Smith in the many hats she wore both literally and figuratively. The petite, five foot three and one half inch Congresswoman was often referred to as the "tall, sturdy woman from Maine"—a reference more appropriate to her political prowess than her physical stature. Her adventurous spirit took her from logging camps, snowmobile trails, and ladies clubs luncheons in Maine to the far corners of the world with military men and heads of state. Not even a broken arm on Friday the 13th could slow the pace of this gracious "model of feminine smartness." Voted Most Charming Woman in Government and the Sixth Best Senator in the same year (1952), Margaret Chase Smith achieved a reputation as both a gracious lady and a tough-minded politician. Museum
Library & Museum Hours: Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please call (207) 474-7133 for more information concerning resources available at the Margaret Chase Smith Library. Copyright ©1999 Margaret Chase Smith Library. This page last modified: November 2009 URL: http://www.mcslibrary.org