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First Ladies' inauguration day fashion throughout history
- First Ladies have always been under the spotlight, and what they wear to their husband's inauguration day goes down in fashion history. Throughout the years, we've had many American First Ladies who became fashion icons of their own right. Take Jackie Kennedy, for instance. She's still regarded as one of the most stylish US First Ladies ever. But she's not alone, and in this gallery you'll revisit key moments in both fashion and political history. Browse through and marvel at the First Ladies' outfits throughout the years.
© Getty Images
1 / 41 Fotos
Mary Todd Lincoln
- For her husband President Ulysses S. Grant’s first inauguration in 1873, she wore this beautiful dress.
© Getty Images
2 / 41 Fotos
Caroline Lavinia Scott Harrison
- The wife of President Benjamin Harrison wore this gown made by Ghormley, Robes et Manteaux to his inauguration in 1889.
© Getty Images
3 / 41 Fotos
Ida Saxton McKinley
- For her husband President William McKinley’s first inauguration in 1897, she wore this dress with a gorgeous lace fichu.
© Getty Images
4 / 41 Fotos
Helen Taft
- The First Lady to President William Howard Taft in 1909, wearing her white empire-waist dress.
© Getty Images
5 / 41 Fotos
Eleanor Roosevelt
- Eleanor Roosevelt is still the country's longest-running First Lady. Here she is at the first inauguration of her husband, Franklin D. Roosevelt, in 1933, wearing a dressed designed by Sally Milgrim.
© Getty Images
6 / 41 Fotos
Eleanor Roosevelt
- And here she is in 1933, 1937, and 1941, respectively. The first two dresses were designed by Sally Milgrim as well.
© Getty Images
7 / 41 Fotos
Mamie Eisenhower
- The First Lady wore this beautiful Nettie Rosenstein dress, embroidered with more than 2,000 rhinestones, to President Dwight D. Eisenhower's inauguration in 1953.
© Getty Images
8 / 41 Fotos
Mamie Eisenhower
- And she wore yet another gown designed by Nettie Rosenstein to her husband's second inauguration, in 1957.
© Getty Images
9 / 41 Fotos
Jacqueline Kennedy
- Jackie Kennedy is a fashion icon to this day. Here she is at the inauguration of her husband, John F. Kennedy, in 1961, in a suit by Oleg Cassini.
© Getty Images
10 / 41 Fotos
Jacqueline Kennedy
- For the inaugural ball, Jackie wore this gorgeous dress by Ethel Frankau of Bergdorf Custom Salon.
© Getty Images
11 / 41 Fotos
Claudia Taylor “Lady Bird” Johnson
- President Lyndon B. Johnson was elected in 1965. The First Lady wore this red wool number, with matching accessories, to his inauguration.
© Getty Images
12 / 41 Fotos
Claudia Taylor “Lady Bird” Johnson
- And for the inaugural ball, Lady Bird wore this ensemble by John Moore.
© Getty Images
13 / 41 Fotos
Pat Nixon
- Pat Nixon at her husband Richard Nixon's inauguration day in 1969. She wore this stylish fuchsia double-breasted coat by Jay Sarnoff Custom Couture.
© Getty Images
14 / 41 Fotos
Pat Nixon
- The First Lady wore this yellow Harvey Berin gown to the inaugural ball in 1969.
© Getty Images
15 / 41 Fotos
Pat Nixon
- The First Lady chose to wear a blue-green coat to her husband's second inauguration in 1973.
© Getty Images
16 / 41 Fotos
Pat Nixon
- And for President Nixon's second inaugural ball, she wore this gown designed by Adele Simpson.
© Getty Images
17 / 41 Fotos
Rosalynn Carter
- Here is the First Lady with her husband, Jimmy Carter, in 1977. She wore this smart Dominic Rompollo coat.
© Getty Images
18 / 41 Fotos
Rosalynn Carter
- The First Lady wore a Mary Matise for Jimmae gown and a Dominic Rompollo top coat to the inaugural ball.
© Getty Images
19 / 41 Fotos
Nancy Reagan
- For her husband's first inauguration in 1981, the First Lady wore a coat in a color that became known as "Reagan red."
© Getty Images
20 / 41 Fotos
Nancy Reagan
- And to the ball, Nancy Reagan wore this chic James Galanos gown.
© Getty Images
21 / 41 Fotos
Nancy Reagan
- In 1985, the First Lady chose to wear this Adolfo ensemble.
© Getty Images
22 / 41 Fotos
Nancy Reagan
- And for the ball she wore a beautiful James Galanos gown.
© Getty Images
23 / 41 Fotos
Barbara Bush
- For George H. W. Bush's inauguration ceremony in 1989, the First Lady wore this blue Bill Blass number.
© Getty Images
24 / 41 Fotos
Barbara Bush
- Barbara Bush kept it blue for one of the inaugural balls in Washington, D.C.
© Getty Images
25 / 41 Fotos
Hillary Clinton
- The First Lady wore this blue ensemble for Bill Clinton’s first swearing-in ceremony in 1993.
© Getty Images
26 / 41 Fotos
Hillary Clinton
- And she looked gorgeous at the inaugural ball in this purple Sarah Phillips gown.
© Getty Images
27 / 41 Fotos
Hillary Clinton
- For her husband's second inauguration, in 1997, the First Lady wore this beautiful coral Oscar de la Renta outfit.
© Getty Images
28 / 41 Fotos
Hillary Clinton
- And for the evening, she wore a embroidered tulle Oscar de la Renta dress.
© Getty Images
29 / 41 Fotos
Laura Bush
- The First Lady wore a blue Michael Faircloth number for her husband George W. Bush's first inauguration in 2001.
© Getty Images
30 / 41 Fotos
Laura Bush
- For the ball, Laura Bush glammed it up with a red dress by Texan designer Michael Faircloth.
© Getty Images
31 / 41 Fotos
Laura Bush
- Laura Bush opted for this white Oscar de la Renta in 2005, for her husband's second inauguration.
© Getty Images
32 / 41 Fotos
Laura Bush
- And for the ball, the First Lady wore a dress embroidered with bugle beads and Austrian crystals.
© Getty Images
33 / 41 Fotos
Michelle Obama
- For her husband President Barack Obama’s first inauguration in 2009, the First Lady wore an Isabel Toledo dress and jacket with a pair of J. Crew gloves.
© Getty Images
34 / 41 Fotos
Michelle Obama
- And for the inaugural ball, Michelle Obama wore this beautiful Jason Wu one-shouldered gown, featuring organza flowers with Swarovski crystal centers.
© Getty Images
35 / 41 Fotos
Michelle Obama
- Come 2013, and the First Lady could be seen in this Thom Browne number.
© Getty Images
36 / 41 Fotos
Michelle Obama
- The First Lady chose, yet again, a inaugural ball gown by designer Jason Wu.
© Getty Images
37 / 41 Fotos
Melania Trump
- The First Lady wore this gorgeous blue cashmere Ralph Lauren ensemble to her husband President Donald Trump's swearing-in ceremony in 2017.
© Getty Images
38 / 41 Fotos
Melania Trump
- And Melania Trump didn't disappoint later in the day, in this silk crepe Hervé Pierre dress with a gorgeous claret ribbon around the waist.
© Getty Images
39 / 41 Fotos
Dr. Jill Biden
- In January 2021, for Joe Biden's inauguration, the First Lady wore this blue coat embroidered with Swarovski crystals, by Markarian, created by designer Alexandra O’Neill. Sources: (Vogue)
© Getty Images
40 / 41 Fotos
© Getty Images
0 / 41 Fotos
First Ladies' inauguration day fashion throughout history
- First Ladies have always been under the spotlight, and what they wear to their husband's inauguration day goes down in fashion history. Throughout the years, we've had many American First Ladies who became fashion icons of their own right. Take Jackie Kennedy, for instance. She's still regarded as one of the most stylish US First Ladies ever. But she's not alone, and in this gallery you'll revisit key moments in both fashion and political history. Browse through and marvel at the First Ladies' outfits throughout the years.
© Getty Images
1 / 41 Fotos
Mary Todd Lincoln
- For her husband President Ulysses S. Grant’s first inauguration in 1873, she wore this beautiful dress.
© Getty Images
2 / 41 Fotos
Caroline Lavinia Scott Harrison
- The wife of President Benjamin Harrison wore this gown made by Ghormley, Robes et Manteaux to his inauguration in 1889.
© Getty Images
3 / 41 Fotos
Ida Saxton McKinley
- For her husband President William McKinley’s first inauguration in 1897, she wore this dress with a gorgeous lace fichu.
© Getty Images
4 / 41 Fotos
Helen Taft
- The First Lady to President William Howard Taft in 1909, wearing her white empire-waist dress.
© Getty Images
5 / 41 Fotos
Eleanor Roosevelt
- Eleanor Roosevelt is still the country's longest-running First Lady. Here she is at the first inauguration of her husband, Franklin D. Roosevelt, in 1933, wearing a dressed designed by Sally Milgrim.
© Getty Images
6 / 41 Fotos
Eleanor Roosevelt
- And here she is in 1933, 1937, and 1941, respectively. The first two dresses were designed by Sally Milgrim as well.
© Getty Images
7 / 41 Fotos
Mamie Eisenhower
- The First Lady wore this beautiful Nettie Rosenstein dress, embroidered with more than 2,000 rhinestones, to President Dwight D. Eisenhower's inauguration in 1953.
© Getty Images
8 / 41 Fotos
Mamie Eisenhower
- And she wore yet another gown designed by Nettie Rosenstein to her husband's second inauguration, in 1957.
© Getty Images
9 / 41 Fotos
Jacqueline Kennedy
- Jackie Kennedy is a fashion icon to this day. Here she is at the inauguration of her husband, John F. Kennedy, in 1961, in a suit by Oleg Cassini.
© Getty Images
10 / 41 Fotos
Jacqueline Kennedy
- For the inaugural ball, Jackie wore this gorgeous dress by Ethel Frankau of Bergdorf Custom Salon.
© Getty Images
11 / 41 Fotos
Claudia Taylor “Lady Bird” Johnson
- President Lyndon B. Johnson was elected in 1965. The First Lady wore this red wool number, with matching accessories, to his inauguration.
© Getty Images
12 / 41 Fotos
Claudia Taylor “Lady Bird” Johnson
- And for the inaugural ball, Lady Bird wore this ensemble by John Moore.
© Getty Images
13 / 41 Fotos
Pat Nixon
- Pat Nixon at her husband Richard Nixon's inauguration day in 1969. She wore this stylish fuchsia double-breasted coat by Jay Sarnoff Custom Couture.
© Getty Images
14 / 41 Fotos
Pat Nixon
- The First Lady wore this yellow Harvey Berin gown to the inaugural ball in 1969.
© Getty Images
15 / 41 Fotos
Pat Nixon
- The First Lady chose to wear a blue-green coat to her husband's second inauguration in 1973.
© Getty Images
16 / 41 Fotos
Pat Nixon
- And for President Nixon's second inaugural ball, she wore this gown designed by Adele Simpson.
© Getty Images
17 / 41 Fotos
Rosalynn Carter
- Here is the First Lady with her husband, Jimmy Carter, in 1977. She wore this smart Dominic Rompollo coat.
© Getty Images
18 / 41 Fotos
Rosalynn Carter
- The First Lady wore a Mary Matise for Jimmae gown and a Dominic Rompollo top coat to the inaugural ball.
© Getty Images
19 / 41 Fotos
Nancy Reagan
- For her husband's first inauguration in 1981, the First Lady wore a coat in a color that became known as "Reagan red."
© Getty Images
20 / 41 Fotos
Nancy Reagan
- And to the ball, Nancy Reagan wore this chic James Galanos gown.
© Getty Images
21 / 41 Fotos
Nancy Reagan
- In 1985, the First Lady chose to wear this Adolfo ensemble.
© Getty Images
22 / 41 Fotos
Nancy Reagan
- And for the ball she wore a beautiful James Galanos gown.
© Getty Images
23 / 41 Fotos
Barbara Bush
- For George H. W. Bush's inauguration ceremony in 1989, the First Lady wore this blue Bill Blass number.
© Getty Images
24 / 41 Fotos
Barbara Bush
- Barbara Bush kept it blue for one of the inaugural balls in Washington, D.C.
© Getty Images
25 / 41 Fotos
Hillary Clinton
- The First Lady wore this blue ensemble for Bill Clinton’s first swearing-in ceremony in 1993.
© Getty Images
26 / 41 Fotos
Hillary Clinton
- And she looked gorgeous at the inaugural ball in this purple Sarah Phillips gown.
© Getty Images
27 / 41 Fotos
Hillary Clinton
- For her husband's second inauguration, in 1997, the First Lady wore this beautiful coral Oscar de la Renta outfit.
© Getty Images
28 / 41 Fotos
Hillary Clinton
- And for the evening, she wore a embroidered tulle Oscar de la Renta dress.
© Getty Images
29 / 41 Fotos
Laura Bush
- The First Lady wore a blue Michael Faircloth number for her husband George W. Bush's first inauguration in 2001.
© Getty Images
30 / 41 Fotos
Laura Bush
- For the ball, Laura Bush glammed it up with a red dress by Texan designer Michael Faircloth.
© Getty Images
31 / 41 Fotos
Laura Bush
- Laura Bush opted for this white Oscar de la Renta in 2005, for her husband's second inauguration.
© Getty Images
32 / 41 Fotos
Laura Bush
- And for the ball, the First Lady wore a dress embroidered with bugle beads and Austrian crystals.
© Getty Images
33 / 41 Fotos
Michelle Obama
- For her husband President Barack Obama’s first inauguration in 2009, the First Lady wore an Isabel Toledo dress and jacket with a pair of J. Crew gloves.
© Getty Images
34 / 41 Fotos
Michelle Obama
- And for the inaugural ball, Michelle Obama wore this beautiful Jason Wu one-shouldered gown, featuring organza flowers with Swarovski crystal centers.
© Getty Images
35 / 41 Fotos
Michelle Obama
- Come 2013, and the First Lady could be seen in this Thom Browne number.
© Getty Images
36 / 41 Fotos
Michelle Obama
- The First Lady chose, yet again, a inaugural ball gown by designer Jason Wu.
© Getty Images
37 / 41 Fotos
Melania Trump
- The First Lady wore this gorgeous blue cashmere Ralph Lauren ensemble to her husband President Donald Trump's swearing-in ceremony in 2017.
© Getty Images
38 / 41 Fotos
Melania Trump
- And Melania Trump didn't disappoint later in the day, in this silk crepe Hervé Pierre dress with a gorgeous claret ribbon around the waist.
© Getty Images
39 / 41 Fotos
Dr. Jill Biden
- In January 2021, for Joe Biden's inauguration, the First Lady wore this blue coat embroidered with Swarovski crystals, by Markarian, created by designer Alexandra O’Neill. Sources: (Vogue)
© Getty Images
40 / 41 Fotos
Melania's hat makes the fashion statement of the inauguration
It even caused an awkward kiss between her and the president
© Getty Images
First ladies have always been under the spotlight for what they wear on inauguration day—and for Trump’s second time around, Melania definitely knew how to put on a show.
On January 20, she nailed her signature serious and chic style with a head-to-toe navy ensemble, complete with leather gloves and spiked heels. The only break in color was a peak of white from her sharp collar and the sash on what will be remembered the most—her hat.
Known for her love of hats, she chose a wide-brimmed boat hat that almost completely obscured her eyes and shaded half of her face. Traditionally a summer look, the hat was designed by the Trumps' neighbor in Palm Beach, Eric Javits. She also chose an independent American designer for her outfit, Adam Lippes, which marks a change from her usual go-to European fashion houses.
The hat became even more iconic when Trump tried to kiss his wife before the ceremony began and the brim got in the way, causing an awkward moment that has since swept the internet.
There’s no doubt that Melania has earned her place in first lady fashion history, but she's not alone. Throughout the years, we've had many American first ladies who became fashion icons in their own right. Browse through this gallery to revisit key moments in both fashion and political history.
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