Shirt worn by Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup in the film 12 Years a Slave

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

This white shirt was worn by Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup in the film 12 Years a Slave (2013). The shirt is made from a synthetic and cotton blend, or all synthetic light-weight white cloth. It has been artificially distressed and stained with dirt, foodstuffs, and other elements so that it appears dingy and old. The shirt has an open neck front with a standard collar, the neck fastening with three (3) self-fabric covered round buttons above a pleated front panel. The full-length sleeves are blousy, with pleats at the shoulder seams and the fitted cuff seams. Each cuff closes with one (1) self-fabric covered round button. There are side vents at each waist. The back of the shirt is pleated along the top where the neck meets the collar. The shirt is machine-sewn with serged finishes on the seams. It is not lined and there are no labels in the shirt.

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