Denim suit jacket and bellbottoms with red embroidery worn by Charley Pride: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

This denim jean jacket (a) and denim flared jeans (b), both with red embroidered decoration, were worn by Charley Pride. The jacket (a) is made from blue denim with an all-over embroidered grid design in red thread. It is straight cut with a straight hemline, full-length sleeves, and a wide notched collar. The jacket closes at the center front with five (5) silver metal buttons that have an engraved design of uneven concentric circles. There are two (2) patch pockets, one at each front side chest with flap and button tab closures that fasten with one (1) button each. The edge of the collar, the seam along the back yoke, and the edge of the flaps are trimmed in round silver-colored metal studs. The cuffs of each sleeve close with two (2) buttons, though one on the proper right cuff is missing. The sleeves and the interior back yoke are lined in cream synthetic fabric. There are two (2) interior welt pockets, one at each front side chest. The welt is made from a cream, brown, purple, and orange geometric print fabric. A black hanger loop is sewn at the interior center back neck. A black fabric label with cream embroidered text and a graphic of an ace playing card in the lower right corner is sewn at the interior proper right front chest below the pocket that reads "EXCLUSIVELY TAILORED FOR / Charley Pride / by Ortiz's / GALVESTON".

The flared jeans (b) are made from blue denim with an all-over embroidered grid design in red thread. The pants close at the center front waist with a metal zipper, two (2) flat metal hook-and-eyes, and one (1) self-fabric flap with one (1) black plastic button. There are eight (8) self-fabric belt loops around the waist, each covered in three (3) round silver-colored metal studs. There are two (2) inset pockets, one at each front side below the waist. The pocket openings are edged in a row of round silver-colored metal studs. There are two (2) patch pockets, one at each back side below the waist. The side and bottom edges of each back pocket are edged in a row of round silver-colored metal studs. The pants are lined at the waistband with black twill fabric that is bisected by cream canvas tape that has elastic woven into it. A black fabric label with cream embroidered text and a graphic of an ace playing card in the lower right corner is sewn at the interior proper right front waist that reads "EXCLUSIVELY TAILORED FOR / Charley Pride / by Ortiz's / GALVESTON".

Materials, dates and provenance

• Date: 1970s
• Designed by: Ortiz's Art Clothing and Ace Tailors, American
• Worn by: Charley Pride, American, 1934 - 2020
• Type: jean jackets
• Type: trousers
• Medium: cotton denim with embroidery thread, synthetic fiber, metal and elastic
• Dimensions: H x W (jacket): 30 1/4 x 30 3/8 in. (76.8 x 77.2 cm)
• Dimensions: Inseam (pants): 34 7/8 in. (88.6 cm)
• Place made: Galveston, Texas, United States, North and Central America
• Topic: African American
• Topic: Clothing and dress
• Topic: Country (Music)
• Topic: Instrumentalists (Musicians)
• Topic: Singers (Musicians)
• Object number: 2012.125.49ab
• Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Charley Pride
• 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: Public domain Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.