Explore Black History

1985-1988

This suit, consisting of a Nehru jacket (.1) and pants (.2) was worn by dancer Tim Harrell on the television show Soul Train between 1985 and 1988. Both are made from the same iridescent black and orange fabric that has supplemental warp and weft threads creating broken streaks with the black streaks vertical and the orange streaks horizontal.
The Nehru jacket (.1), as typical of the style, has a standing collar and a single-breasted center front closure. It fastens with five (5) self-fabric covered butthons, though the fourth from the top is missing. The topmost button is held on with a safety pin. There is one (1) welt pocket at the proper left breast and two (2) flap pockets, one at each front side waist. The sleeves are full-length and straight cut without cuffs. Three (3) self-fabric buttons are sewn at each cuff for decoration. The jacket is fully lined in black synthetic fabric. Tehre is one (1) welt pocket at the interior proper left breast. A white fabric label with blue embroidered text reading "HACIENDA" is sewn below the pocket with a small size tag sewn on the proper left side of it. An additional tag with fiber content and care information printed in Japanese is sewn at the interior proper left side seam at the waist. A black self-fabric hanger loop is sewn at the interior center back neck.
The pants (.2) are pleated at the front waist and end at the ankles with tapered legs. They close at the center front waist with a metal zipper and one (1) round black plastic button. There are two (2) buttonholes for an adjustable fit. An inset pocket is sewn at each front side waist, with one (1) flap pocket sewn at the back proper right waist. The flap fastens with one (1) round black plastic button. There are five (5) self-fabric belt loops sewn around the waist band. The pants are not lined except for the pockets, which are made from plain muslin. A white fabric label with blue embroidered text reading "HACIENDA" is sewn at the interior proper right front with a small size tag sewn on the proper left side of it. An additional tag with fiber content and care information printed in Japanese is sewn at the interior proper left side seam near the pocket.

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Clothing - Costume

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Tim Harrell

National Museum of African American History and Culture

2015.16.1.1-.2

Nehru jackets
trousers

No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

.1: synthetic fiber;
.2: synthetic fiber with plastic and metal fasteners

H x W x D (.1 on form): 30 1/4 × 20 1/4 × 9 in. (76.8 × 51.4 × 22.9 cm)
H x W x D (.2 on form): 42 × 11 1/2 × 9 1/4 in. (106.7 × 29.2 × 23.5 cm)

Object Name • Brown and orange jacket and pants worn on Soul Train by dancer Tim Harrell

nmaahc_2015.16.1.1-.2

NMAAHC

BROWN AND ORANGE JACKET AND PANTS WORN ON SOUL TRAIN BY DANCER TIM HARRELL

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

1980s

Harrell, Tim • Hacienda • Soul Train

United States • Los Angeles County • North and Central America • Los Angeles • California

Television • Costume • Music • Clothing and dress • Fashion • Dance • Variety shows (Television)

City • Los Angeles • County • Los Angeles County • State • California • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America

Nehru jackets • Trousers

No Known Copyright Restrictions