Costume worn on Soul Train by dancer Freddie Mae Maxie: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

This costume was worn by dancer Freddie Mae Maxie on the television show Soul Train during Marvin Gaye's performance of "Let's Get It On" on February 16, 1974. The outfit is comprised of a red short-sleeved blouse (.1) and a pair of blue cropped pants (.2). The blouse is made from a semi-sheer synthetic fiber and spandex knit fabric. It has short sleeves and a crew neck. A ruffle made from the red fabric is sewn at the seam of the shoulder and sleeve on each side. The neck, ruffles, and sleeves are all rimmed in a white synthetic knit fabric. The collar also has a short ruffle of red netting around it below the white trim. A tab made from the red fabric extends from the center front neck. Two (2) round white satin covered buttons are sewn to the tab. The shirt is not lined.

The pants (.2) are made from a bright blue denim and are cropped below the knee. The cuffs are gathered and elastic is sewn inside the hem. The pants close at the center front with a metal zipper and one (1) round gold-colored metal button with raised text reading [LAUREN JEANS CO 1967]. There are five (5) self-fabric belt loops around the waistband. There are two (2) inset pockets, one at each front side waist. Customized patches of the red fabric used for the blouse (.1) are sewn at each pocket opening. There are two (2) patch pockets, one at each back side below the waist. Customized patches made from lime green iridescent synthetic fabric are sewn over the patch pockets with the top side left open, creating a double pocket. The pants are not lined.

Materials, dates and provenance

• Date: 1974
• Created by: Unidentified
• Manufactured by: Ralph Lauren Corporation, American, founded 1967
• Worn by: Freddie Mae Maxie, American
• Subject of: Soul Train, American, 1971 - 2006
• Type: blouses
• Type: trousers
• Medium: .1: synthetic fiber and spandex blend cloth, synthetic fiber, and synthetic satin covered plastic buttons;
• Medium: .2: cotton denim, synthetic fiber and spandex blend cloth, synthetic fiber, elastic, and metal fasteners
• Dimensions: H x W x D (.1 on form): 23 1/4 × 18 1/2 × 9 1/4 in. (59.1 × 47 × 23.5 cm)
• Dimensions: H x W x D (.2 on form): 31 3/4 × 12 3/4 × 8 1/2 in. (80.6 × 32.4 × 21.6 cm)
• Place used: Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States, North and Central America
• Topic: African American
• Topic: Clothing and dress
• Topic: Costume
• Topic: Dance
• Topic: Fashion
• Topic: Music
• Topic: Popular music
• Topic: Television
• Object number: 2014.247.1.1-.2
• Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Freddie Maxie, original female locker dancer 1973
• Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Sources and reuse

Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of African American History and Culture through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed. The underlying object's rights statement is: No Known Copyright Restrictions Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.