The Museum at FIT
The Museum at FIT
4.5
Wednesday
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Friday
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
THE MOST FASHIONABLE MUSEUM IN NEW YORK CITY The Museum at FIT (MFIT) is the only museum in New York City dedicated solely to the art of fashion. Best known for its innovative and award-winning exhibitions, the museum has a permanent collection of more than 50,000 garments and accessories dating from the eighteenth century to the present. The Museum at FIT is a specialized fashion museum that fulfills the educational mission of the college and university by promoting original research, creative thinking, and lifelong learning among diverse and inclusive audiences. MFIT is a member of the American Alliance of Museums.
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Midtown
This is the iconic New York that so many visitors imagine before they visit - spectacular skyscrapers like the Chrysler Building and Empire State Building, iconic public buildings like Grand Central Terminal and the New York Public Library, and the non-stop hustle and bustle of the city streets. Fifth Avenue is a shopper's paradise where you can find every kind of store imaginable, with fashion brands ranging from the affordable to the ultra-fancy. Visit Rockefeller Center to experience towering Art Deco grandeur, and foodies will love the busy restaurants that stay open late in Koreatown. After dark, Midtown calms down a bit, but at any time of day or night it still feels 100% New York.
How to get there
  • 28th St • 2 min walk
  • 23rd St • 4 min walk
See what travelers are saying
  • cjyap
    Griswold, Connecticut792 contributions
    Great small museum, and FREE
    This is a great museum. There are three galleries, one devoted to special exhibits. All the exhibits change every 6 month as they rotate through their 50,000 garments covering 250 years of fashion. The special exhibit gallery was closed when I went, as it was preparing for an opening of a new exhibit the following week: Ballerina: Fashion's Modern Muse. I'm going to try and get back for that! This is not a large museum and that it's free is a real bonus! Definitly worth a stop. The hours are: Tues - Fri Noon - 8pm Saturday 10am - 5pm Closed Sundays, Mondays, and the following legal holidays: July 4th,Thanksgiving Day,Christmas Day,New Year’s Day
    Visited February 2020
    Written February 7, 2020
  • danihawk
    New York City, New York188 contributions
    one of my favorite hidden gems in NYC
    The Museum at FIT is one of my favorite spots I've discovered living in NYC for 15 years, and I often bring friends and family to check it out. There's always something interesting to see, whether it's Christian Dior from the New Look era, Rodarte looks from a recent season or costumes from any number of performances or entertainers. All of the exhibits I've seen are beautifually curated and thoughtfully arranged so that even if it's a completely new area of design you can understand and appreciate what you're seeing. A huge plus is that it's free, so you can spend a few hours or pop in to kill some time without making a big investment.
    Visited December 2019
    Written January 20, 2020
  • NorthCoastTraveller
    Lakewood, Ohio288 contributions
    Shoes! (Actual exhibit title: Shoes: Anatomy, Identity, Magic
    As an avid airchair follower of fashion, and someone who wore outrageously high heels on a regular basis when younger, going to see an exhibit of the most fashionable shoes through the ages at the Museum at FIT was an natural. And it is free! Masks are required, you are watched by security guards and warned if you get too close to any exhibit - the regular halls, which had Dior and Balenciaga gowns, had no glass separating you from the couture. This museum gives the average person a chance to see fashion up close that they could previously only have seen in magazines or online. and it's free!
    Visited October 2022
    Written December 27, 2022
  • Justin W
    Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey3,447 contributions
    The Dior + Balenciaga Exhibition was excellent
    I had not been to the museum in a few years due to COVID and it is nice that the campus opened back up again. The museum was showing an exhibition "Dior + Balenciaga", which was a retrospect on the designers work right after the war when they opened their 'houses'. There was a comparison of the designers works and how they form fitted women with the most interesting and elegant clothing after WWII when things were just beginning to open up. The looks gave women back a feminine and tailored look that was tailored to their bodies. It was interesting how the exhibition then transitioned then to the designers that took over after the founders passed away. They took the lines in a whole new area but I still preferred the classic look. It is a great little college museum that mounts wonderful shows, is open late during the week and is free.
    Visited June 2022
    Written June 10, 2022
  • houstontravelingfool
    Houston, Texas3,625 contributions
    Worth a stop
    Was in New York visiting my twenty- something granddaughter who’s totally into fashion so we went to see what this was all about. It’s a very small installation of maybe 20 - 25 wonderfully creative dress designs, together with sketches and design boards. Quite interesting and worth a look. We were glad we stopped.
    Visited January 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written January 27, 2023
  • ArtsyGalBaltimore
    726 contributions
    Dior to Balenciaga
    Last visited 2.5 years ago. Now only exhibit on the first floor, yet still marvelous show comparing Dior and Balenciaga from formal to informal. For an untutored eye like mine, narrative concise and informative. Masks mandatory.
    Visited August 2022
    Written August 24, 2022
  • Melissa N
    Chester, New York96 contributions
    Always a fun time!
    Always fun to visit the FREE museum at FIT. There is a Hip Hop exhibit that is sooo great! (March) I recommend this museum to everyone. NOt many places to get in free and see such great achievements
    Visited March 2023
    Written March 13, 2023
  • 814jamesu
    164 contributions
    Tiny museum with a rich display of fashion.
    Free. Small enough to visit in 45 minutes. I saw "Fashion Unraveled" which was interesting but I wanted to see more costumes. There is a small room on the right by the security guard. That was interesting. There was a digital short piece and multi-medium art.
    Visited June 2018
    Traveled with friends
    Written June 29, 2018
  • Hui L
    Austin, Texas303 contributions
    Must-see for fashion lovers
    My young girls spent most of the holidays during the past years wandering museums in New York. Ask for their favorite: FIT MUSEUM. All the exhibits are delicately curated, take you up and down hundreds of years of history and all around the globe. The zoom focus on “design” makes the institution a magnet for people alike. Conclude your visit with a $1 NY pizza a few blocks away in the 2-BRO’s, as both are essential in fueling the dream- pursuing artists, young or old alike.
    Visited April 2017
    Traveled with family
    Written November 9, 2017
  • Brad B
    2 contributions
    Fit Museum - Things you should know
    I was beyond excited to visit what is billed as the most fashionable museum in New York. The museum has two galleries for temporary exhibitions. The Museum has no permanent exhibits or exhibits that only feature the works of current students or that of alumni. The current exhibition in the Fashion & Textile History Gallery which is upstairs running December 6, 2016 – May 16, 2017 is entitled Black Fashion Designers it examines the impact made by designers of African descent on the world of fashion. Drawing exclusively from The Museum at FIT’s permanent collection, it features around 75 pieces that illustrate the individual styles of more than 60 designers, this exhibit allows you to take photos. The second exhibit is entitled Proust's Muse, The Countess Greffulhe in Special Exhibitions Gallery located downstairs. Special Exhibitions Gallery September 23, 2016 – January 7, 2017 This features extraordinary fashions from the legendary wardrobe of Élisabeth de Caraman-Chimay, the Countess Greffulhe (1860–1952). A famous beauty celebrated for her “aristocratic and artistic elegance,” the countess was a fashion icon comparable to Daphne Guinness today. Due to loan restrictions, photography is not allowed in this exhibition. You can find lots of the images on the website as well as on the internet for viewing. The exhibits and galleries are smaller but nicely curated. The good news is that the museum and its exhibits are free of charge however the unfortunate part is that there was no one available to offer assistance or direction of any kind. The only staff that is on site are 3 security guards. When you enter the upstairs gallery there is a sign that says that there is a cellphone Tour and it states that headphones are needed and it states very clearly that headphones are available at the security desk, however I asked the security guards to borrow a pair and they have no idea about it, they were not even aware of the rather large sign that directs people to the security desk to borrow headphones. The one guard left the premises to locate them but yo no avail, so make sure to bring your own. Because there is no direction here people tend to wander around, the security guards do not greet anyone, if you try to ask questions they are quite short and unfriendly, I heard the thinner bald man who was a security guard actually shouting rudely across the main hall to a guest barking orders, it is quite a unprofessional scene unfortunately, I saw several other instances and attitudes with all of the other guards which were simply not in keeping with a professional atmosphere of any kind. All in all I was appreciative of the opportunity to visit these exhibits particularly for free, but as I mentioned the unwelcoming atmosphere, disorganization, and rudeness sort of distract from what would otherwise be a great experience.
    Visited December 2016
    Traveled with friends
    Written December 16, 2016
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Popular mentions

4.5
245 reviews
Excellent
139
Very good
77
Average
24
Poor
5
Terrible
0

Justin W
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ3,447 contributions
Jun 2022
I had not been to the museum in a few years due to COVID and it is nice that the campus opened back up again. The museum was showing an exhibition "Dior + Balenciaga", which was a retrospect on the designers work right after the war when they opened their 'houses'.

There was a comparison of the designers works and how they form fitted women with the most interesting and elegant clothing after WWII when things were just beginning to open up. The looks gave women back a feminine and tailored look that was tailored to their bodies.

It was interesting how the exhibition then transitioned then to the designers that took over after the founders passed away. They took the lines in a whole new area but I still preferred the classic look.

It is a great little college museum that mounts wonderful shows, is open late during the week and is free.
Written June 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

houstontravelingfool
Houston, TX3,625 contributions
Jan 2023 • Friends
Was in New York visiting my twenty- something granddaughter who’s totally into fashion so we went to see what this was all about. It’s a very small installation of maybe 20 - 25 wonderfully creative dress designs, together with sketches and design boards. Quite interesting and worth a look. We were glad we stopped.
Written January 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ArtsyGalBaltimore
Maryland726 contributions
Aug 2022
Last visited 2.5 years ago. Now only exhibit on the first floor, yet still marvelous show comparing Dior and Balenciaga from formal to informal. For an untutored eye like mine, narrative concise and informative. Masks mandatory.
Written August 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Melissa N
Chester, NY96 contributions
Mar 2023
Always fun to visit the FREE museum at FIT. There is a Hip Hop exhibit that is sooo great! (March) I recommend this museum to everyone. NOt many places to get in free and see such great achievements
Written March 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

814jamesu
Austin, United States164 contributions
Jun 2018 • Friends
Free. Small enough to visit in 45 minutes. I saw "Fashion Unraveled" which was interesting but I wanted to see more costumes. There is a small room on the right by the security guard. That was interesting. There was a digital short piece and multi-medium art.
Written June 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Hui L
Austin, TX303 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
My young girls spent most of the holidays during the past years wandering museums in New York. Ask for their favorite: FIT MUSEUM.

All the exhibits are delicately curated, take you up and down hundreds of years of history and all around the globe. The zoom focus on “design” makes the institution a magnet for people alike.

Conclude your visit with a $1 NY pizza a few blocks away in the 2-BRO’s, as both are essential in fueling the dream- pursuing artists, young or old alike.
Written November 9, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brad B
2 contributions
Dec 2016 • Friends
I was beyond excited to visit what is billed as the most fashionable museum in New York. The museum has two galleries for temporary exhibitions. The Museum has no permanent exhibits or exhibits that only feature the works of current students or that of alumni. The current exhibition in the Fashion & Textile History Gallery which is upstairs running December 6, 2016 – May 16, 2017 is entitled Black Fashion Designers it examines the impact made by designers of African descent on the world of fashion. Drawing exclusively from The Museum at FIT’s permanent collection, it features around 75 pieces that illustrate the individual styles of more than 60 designers, this exhibit allows you to take photos. The second exhibit is entitled Proust's Muse, The Countess Greffulhe in Special Exhibitions Gallery located downstairs. Special Exhibitions Gallery
September 23, 2016 – January 7, 2017
This features extraordinary fashions from the legendary wardrobe of Élisabeth de Caraman-Chimay, the Countess Greffulhe (1860–1952). A famous beauty celebrated for her “aristocratic and artistic elegance,” the countess was a fashion icon comparable to Daphne Guinness today. Due to loan restrictions, photography is not allowed in this exhibition. You can find lots of the images on the website as well as on the internet for viewing.

The exhibits and galleries are smaller but nicely curated. The good news is that the museum and its exhibits are free of charge however the unfortunate part is that there was no one available to offer assistance or direction of any kind. The only staff that is on site are 3 security guards.

When you enter the upstairs gallery there is a sign that says that there is a cellphone Tour and it states that headphones are needed and it states very clearly that headphones are available at the security desk, however I asked the security guards to borrow a pair and they have no idea about it, they were not even aware of the rather large sign that directs people to the security desk to borrow headphones. The one guard left the premises to locate them but yo no avail, so make sure to bring your own. Because there is no direction here people tend to wander around, the security guards do not greet anyone, if you try to ask questions they are quite short and unfriendly, I heard the thinner bald man who was a security guard actually shouting rudely across the main hall to a guest barking orders, it is quite a unprofessional scene unfortunately, I saw several other instances and attitudes with all of the other guards which were simply not in keeping with a professional atmosphere of any kind. All in all I was appreciative of the opportunity to visit these exhibits particularly for free, but as I mentioned the unwelcoming atmosphere, disorganization, and rudeness sort of distract from what would otherwise be a great experience.

Written December 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Paularey
Harbour Grace, Canada120 contributions
Dec 2014 • Friends
This is a real find because it is free, with well-executed exhibits! On the main floor, there are a couple of exhibits: one for fashion and another video art, as well as a big one in the basement. "Faking It: Originals, Copies, and Counterfeits" (main floor) was very interesting, and had a historical timeline of replicated fashion going back 100 years. Fact: some designers were happy to see their designs copied! It makes you think about ethics and intellectual copyrights. "Dance and Fashion" had beautiful ballet pieces on display by famous designers. It's like walking into a fairy tale!
Written January 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ElizabethLilly
New York City, NY333 contributions
Nov 2011 • Friends
My first visit to The Museum at FIT was to see the current Daphne Guinness exhibit. I read about it online and as soon as I saw it was free, I made plans to see it. Who doesn't love a free exhibit? (Especially if you're a poor 20-something New Yorker like me!) I went on a Saturday afternoon and even though there were lots of other visitors, it wasn't crowded. The exhibit was set up in a room with videos, a photo slideshow and displays of shoes and accessories. Then there was a much larger room set up with outfits on mannequins as she's worn them. I visited the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibit at the Met back in June, where I saw many pieces from her collection. This exhibit wasn't as complex as that one, but I was really satisfied with it and the mannequins were arranged in a manner to where you could see the outfits from multiple angles. It was an amazing free exhibit and I'll probably see it again before it closes in January. I recommend stopping by the musuem for any fashion lovers! (Don't worry about feeling intimidated stopping by if you're not wearing designer clothes. Most of the visitors there were students.)
Written November 14, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Connie M
18 contributions
Jan 2020
it had the history of fashion and it was quite interesting and it is free, My favorite were the make America great hats and also the older clothing from yearws ago what was fashion.
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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The Museum at FIT (New York City) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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The Museum at FIT is open:
  • Wed - Fri 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Sat - Sun 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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