Manufactured by
Case, Inc., American
Worn by
Houston, Whitney, American, 1963 - 2012
Date
1991
Medium
aramid, metal zippers, and Velcro™, with rayon embroidered patches
Dimensions
H x W x D (On form): 62 1/4 × 20 1/2 × 12 1/2 in. (158.1 × 52.1 × 31.8 cm)
Inseam: 29 1/4 in. (74.3 cm)
Description
A green military flight jump suit worn by Whitney Houston in 1991 during a pre-concert interview that aired on the television channel HBO. The sage green jump suit has a rounded collar, full-length sleeves and ankle-length legs, and is a genuine military flight suit code CWU-27/P. It is made from the synthetic fabric aramid.
The jump suit closes at the center front with a sage green zipper that reaches from the front crotch to the neck. The zipper pull tab is sage green aramid. Yellow text is machine-embroidered on the front of jumpsuit on either side of the center zipper, just above the diagonal chest pockets, with the insignia for U.S. Naval Aviators and the text [HOUSTON] on the proper left, and [NAS NORFOLK] on the proper right. A waistband of sage green aramid is covered in the back with an additional length of sage green aramid. The waistband attaches with Velcro™ at each front side of the waist for an adjustable fit. The jump suit arm cuffs have adjustable Velcro™ closures. The legs of the jump suit taper to the ankle, with a ten (10) inch concealed zipper on each front ankle. The back of the jump suit has two deep pleats, one at each back shoulder just inside the armhole seam.
The jumpsuit is adorned with seven (7) embroidered patches related to military service: one (1) on top of the left front side chest pocket; one (1) on top of the right front side chest pocket; three (3) on the right sleeve; and two (2) on the left sleeve. The patches are machine-sewn to the jump suit with dark green thread.
There are eight (8) pockets on the jump suit: one (1) inset pocket on the left front side chest and one (1) inset pocket on the right front side chest, both with concealed diagonal zipper closures and with patches that were sewn through to the interior of the jump suit, making these pockets inoperable; one (1) patch pocket on the proper left arm just above the elbow with a concealed zipper closure on the proper left side; one small (1) cargo pocket attached to the outside of the left arm patch pocket with a top flap Velcro™ closure; one (1) patch pocket on the front proper right knee with a concealed zipper top closure; one (1) patch pocket on the front proper left knee with a concealed zipper proper right side closure; one (1) cargo pocket on the exterior of the left leg above the ankle, and one (1) cargo pocket on the exterior of the right leg above the ankle, both with concealed zipper top closures. Also on the proper left knee is a knife pocket with a snap closure. A length of thin white cord with blue stripes is wound around the snap closure of the knife pocket.
The interior of the jump suit is not lined. A sage green aramid hanging loop is attached at the center back of the interior neck, above a manufacturer's label.
Place used
U.S. Naval Air Station, Norfolk, Virginia, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Clothing-Costume
Clothing-Historical
Type
coveralls
Topic
Actors
Clothing and dress
Costume
Popular music
Singers (Musicians)
Women
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Estate of Whitney Houston
Object number
2014.161.2
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd515627eb6-6511-4e47-82ad-d565b0af930a

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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