Waistcoat for Ain't Misbehavin' costume worn by André De Shields: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

Suit waistcoat from Ain't Misbehavin' costume ensemble for Act I worn by André De Shields during the 1982 NBC TV special. The suit is comprised of a jacket (2018.1.1.1.1), pants, (.2), waistcoat (.3), and two pocket chains (.4 and .5). The waistcoat is navy blue with white pin stripes. It is single breasted with five plastic brown buttons on the front at the waist, an angled bottom edge and no lapel. There are two false inset pockets on the front that are sewn shut with brown fabric. The waistcoat interior lining, as well as its entire back panel, both recto and verso, are made from the same dark gray shiny synthetic fabric as is used in the suit jacket.

Materials, dates and provenance

• Date: 1982
• Created by: Unidentified
• Worn by: André De Shields, American, born 1946
• Type: suits
• Type: waistcoats
• Medium: polyester and satin with plastic and metal
• Dimensions: H x W (vest flat): 22 1/2 × 18 1/8 in. (57.2 × 46 cm)
• Dimensions: Waist: 32 1/2 in. (82.5 cm)
• Place used: New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
• Topic: African American
• Topic: Actors
• Topic: Broadway Theatre
• Topic: Clothing and dress
• Topic: Costume
• Topic: Entertainers
• Topic: Musical Theatre
• Topic: Television
• Object number: 2018.1.1.1.3
• Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of André De Shields
• 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.