This is a composite and hero image for the digital exhibit titled, "Suited to Lead: The Lives of Six Presidents Through Fashion", curated by Fiona Hibbard. "Suited to Lead" considers how dress functioned as a tool of self-expression for these presidents, and how their choices in dress reflected their preferences, societal expectations, as well as their position. The digital exhibit explores dress before, during, and after the presidencies of six American presidents. The composite is made of the portraits of the six presidents featured in the exhibit, clockwise from the far left: Theodore Roosevelt, Jimmy Carter, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Harry S. Truman, and John Quincy Adams. It may only be used for press and publicity purposes related to the exhibit. All other uses must be approved by the White House Historical Association in writing.

This lithograph of President Abraham Lincoln was created by Currier & Ives Lithography Company circa 1860-1861. In late 1860, Abraham Lincoln began growing a beard, and was the first United States president to do so. After his first election, he reportedly received a letter from an eleven-year-old fan, Grace Bedell, who suggested that growing facial hair might improve his appearance. In his reply to this letter, President Lincoln wrote, “As to the whiskers, having never worn any, do you not think people would call it a piece of silly affectation if I were to begin wearing them now? Your very sincere well-wisher," A. LINCOLN."” By 1861, Lincoln’s beard appeared in portraits, paintings, and photographs, and would remain a style that he maintained for the remainder of his life. Lincoln became president on March 4, 1861 and had earlier served in the House of Representatives.

This pastel on vellum portrait of future president John Quincy Adams was created by Izaak Schmidt in 1783. Beginning in 1779, John Quincy Adams kept a detailed diary, recording his daily activities in Europe. Though he occasionally mentioned his dress in passing, he provided little description, focusing instead on his studies and travels. In 1783, while staying in The Hague, Adams sat for a portrait. This painting reflects how his style as a young man was influenced by the prevailing fashions of France and Great Britain. He is depicted wearing a slim-fitting frock coat with a wide, turned-down collar, a colorful waistcoat (possibly embroidered), and powdered hair; styles that were popular at the time among young men in Western Europe. John Quincy Adams was the son of President John Adams and First Lady Abigail Adams. Prior to his presidency, President Adams was a diplomat to the Netherlands, Prussia, Russia, and the United Kingdom. He served as Secretary of State under President James Monroe and is the only president who went on to serve in the United States House of Representatives after being president. Adams represented his home state, Massachusetts, in the House.

This ink on paper silhouette portrait of future president John Quincy Adams was created by Henry Williams (professionally knowns as H. Williams) in 1809 and depicts Adams wearing a top hat. Adams was an early adopter of the top hat, despite its decline in popularity in the late 1700s. By the early 1800s, top hats served as a sign of status, and fashionable men would not have been seen in public without the latest hat style. While Adams is not usually pictured wearing a hat in his portraits, in this 1809 silhouette, his top hat is in the popular fashion of the time, around six or seven inches tall, with a narrow brim curving downward at the front and back. Silhouette portraits were fashionable and readily available throughout Europe and the United States in the 1800s. John Quincy Adams was the son of President John Adams and First Lady Abigail Adams. Prior to his presidency, President Adams was a diplomat to the Netherlands, Prussia, Russia, and the United Kingdom. He served as Secretary of State under President James Monroe and is the only president who went on to serve in the United States House of Representatives after being president. Adams represented his home state, Massachusetts, in the House.

This hand-colored lithograph by Currier & Ives was published in 1876 and depicts the Inauguration of President George Washington. Eleven men are depicted witnessing Washington taking the Oath of Office. He places his right hand on an open bible and holds a sword with his left hand. Figures noted in the key below the image include Alexander Hamilton, Chancellor Robert R. Livingston, Roger Sherman, Mr. Otis, John Adams, Baron Friedrich Wilhelm Steuben, and General Henry Knox. Washington served as the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He served as president from April 30, 1789 until March 4, 1797.

This painting by John Trumbull depicts the surrender of General Cornwallis at Yorktown, marking the end of the Revolutionary War. The defeated British army marches between the Americans on the right, led by General George Washington, and the French on the left, led by General Jean-Baptiste Rochambeau. At the center, on horseback, Major General Benjamin Lincoln, Washington’s second-in-command, accepts the official surrender from General Lord Cornwallis’s deputy, General Charles O’Hara. According to historical accounts, Cornwallis had feigned illness on the occasion and passed the responsibility of surrender to O’Hara. Washington, recognizing the snub, directed O’Hara to Major General Lincoln, who accepted O’Hara’s sword and handed it back to him. Trumbull painted the portraits of the French officers directly onto the canvas in Thomas Jefferson’s house in Paris and regarded them as the "best of my small portraits."

This glass locket containing the hair of President Thomas Jefferson and his daughter Martha was acquired for the White House Collection in 1975 during the Gerald R. Ford presidency. The locket is attributed to Fossin et Fils, a prestigious Paris jewelry company that provided goods to King Louis-Philippe of France (1830–1848) as well as other European heads of state, and was produced circa 1825 to 1868.

This punch bowl was created by Tiffany and Company in 1874. The punch bowl features an intricate and realistic design of pine needles with eagle's heads and talons around the brim of the bowl. The design of the punch bowl is attributed to James H. Whitehouse and Eugene Soligny is attributed with the modeling and chasing. An "M" stamp at the bottom of the bowl indicates the bowl was made under the leadership of Edward C. Moore during his tenure at Tiffany and Company. This piece was donated to the White House Collection in 2005 during the George W. Bush administration.

This bergère by Pierre-Antoine Bellangé of Paris is part of a 53-piece gilded beechwood suite ordered for the Oval Room (later called the Blue Room) by President James Monroe in 1817. A bergère is an armchair with upholstered and enclosed sides. The bergère is one of two made for the president and first lady. The bergère was photographed by Bruce White in the Blue Room of the White House.