Created by
Unidentified
Issued by
Muhammad University of Islam, American, founded 1934
Worn by
Hopkins, Myrtle Kaye, American
Subject of
Nation of Islam, American, founded 1930
Date
1970-1973
Medium
synthetic fiber, ribbon, elastic, and metal buttons and zipper
Dimensions
H x W x D (.1ab-.2 on form): 55 1/4 × 21 × 14 in. (140.3 × 53.3 × 35.6 cm)
H x W x D (.1a Tunic on form): 39 1/4 × 21 × 14 in. (99.7 × 53.3 × 35.6 cm)
H x W (.1a Tunic flat): 39 1/2 × 15 1/4 in. (100.3 × 38.7 cm)
H x W (.1b Belt flat): 1 5/8 × 61 1/2 in. (4.1 × 156.2 cm)
H x W x D (.2 Pants on form): 38 1/2 × 15 × 11 in. (97.8 × 38.1 × 27.9 cm)
H x W (.2 Pants flat): 40 × 13 7/8 in. (101.6 × 35.2 cm)
Inseam (.2 Pants): 26 1/4 in. (66.7 cm)
H x W x D (.3 Headscarf on form): 13 × 25 1/2 × 21 in. (33 × 64.8 × 53.3 cm)
H x W (.3 Headscarf flat): 27 7/8 × 40 1/4 in. (70.8 × 102.2 cm)
Description
A red and white 3-piece Vanguard drill team uniform, comprised of a tunic with a belt (.1ab), harem pants (.2), and headscarf (.3), worn by Myrtle Kaye Hopkins.
The cream-colored princess-cut tunic (.1a) is made from synthetic fabric. It has long sleeves with folded cuffs and a standing collar. It is trimmed with red grosgrain ribbon at the collar, cuffs, and bottom hem. The tunic fastens with five (5) metal buttons down the front. The center of each button has a darker cream circle surrounded by a thin decorative metal circle, and then by self fabric. The tunic is not lined. A coordinating red fabric belt (.1b) ties around the waist.
The harem pants (.2) are made from the same cream synthetic fabric as the tunic. The pants have a fitted waist and close with a zipper and single button closure (button missing) at the proper left side. The wide legs are cinched at the ankles by an elastic band run through the hem of each leg, with the ends safety-pinned together. The pants are not lined.
The headscarf (.3) is shaped in a slighlty oblong half-circle and is also made of the cream-colored synthetic fabric, with the front trimmed in red grosgrain ribbon. The ribbon is left loose at each end to be tied under the wearer's chin.
Place used
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Clothing - Fashion and Historical
Type
tunics
belts (costume accessories)
headcloths (headgear)
shalwar
Topic
Clothing and dress
Education
Nation of Islam
Religion
Urban life
Women
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Jamilah Sahib
Object number
2013.224.4.1ab-.3
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5c4f644cf-4a59-4dc0-a22c-f1093e7e38f4

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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