A First Lady’s chosen ensemble on inauguration day goes beyond aesthetics—it symbolizes the promise of a new administration.
US presidential inaugurations are marked with pomp and pageantry. There’s the A-list guest list and performers, top-tier menu, and of course, show-stopping fashion. While the incoming president is most definitely the man of the hour, it’s their better half’s fashion choices that gets the most attention.
Over the decades, US First Ladies have become style icons themselves. Leslie Irvine, a professor of sociology at the University of Colorado at Boulder, said in an article on Women’s Wear Daily that the fascination with their inaugural fashion is due to their dual status as celebrities and symbols. “As celebrities, their fashion must demonstrate that they are not ordinary women. In their related roles as symbols, they must convey the grandeur of the office and the nation itself through elegance and style,” she said.
This is why, according to Hazel Clark, who teaches fashion at The New School, the presidential inauguration is the “Oscar moment for the country.” A First Lady’s chosen ensemble on that day, however, goes beyond aesthetics—it symbolizes the promise of a new administration.
And on Jan. 20, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States in what is probably the biggest political comeback in recent history. But we’re not here to talk politics. Rather, The POST rounded up the most memorable fashion moments of US First Ladies spanning over six decades—from the queen of style herself, Jacqueline Kennedy, to current FLOTUS, the perpetually stylish Melania Trump.
Related story: Global issues to watch in 2025
Related story: 2024’s biggest newsmakers
Melania Trump, 2025 and 2017
Known for her bold fashion choices, Melania opted to make herself “almost invisible,” as The Guardian puts it, on the second inauguration of husband Donald Trump. She wore an ensemble so somber, it seemed like she was going to a funeral rather than her husband’s swearing in. She topped her outfit with an equally dark boater hat she wore so low her eyes were almost entirely obscured.
Designed by New York-based milliner Eric Javits, the 54th First Lady’s hat completed her sleek, military-inspired outfit. Her navy silk wool double-breasted coat was nipped at the waist and worn with stiletto heels. The piece was designed by Adam Lippes, a New York-based designer who has dressed former first ladies Jill Biden and Michelle Obama. Underneath the tailored coat was a silk wool pencil skirt and an ivory silk crepe blouse folded into a sharp neckline, all of which are hand-sewn.
The Slovenian-born’s ensemble was a departure from the more cheerful powder-blue Ralph Lauren cashmere dress and matching bolero jacket she wore during her husband’s inauguration in 2017. Those pieces were widely viewed as an homage to Jacqueline Kennedy.
Melania looked more relaxed and glamorous at the Commander in Chief Inaugural Ball in Washington D.C. later that evening, where she stunned in a white satin strapless gown with a black line wrapping around the bodice. Completing her look is a black satin choker necklace featuring a silver pendant. The dress was designed by Hervé Pierre, Melania’s longtime style advisor, who also made her first inaugural gown, an off-the-shoulder neckline, slit skirt and a red ribbon around the waist, which she helped design.
Related story: What went viral, who wore what, and the fashion moments that defined 2024
Jill Biden, 2021
At her husband’s swearing-in ceremony in 2021, Dr. Biden wore an ocean blue wool tapered tweed dress, hand-embellished with pearls and crystals created by designer/founder Alexandra O’Neill of New York–based luxury womenswear label Markarian. This fashion moment reportedly quintupled the designer’s sales.
Her inaugural evening dress was created by designer Gabriela Hearst, who said that her main inspiration was unity. The dress was embroidered with the official flowers from every US state and territory. The 2021 inaugural ensemble was added to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History’s Historic First Ladies collection in 2023. Because the swearing-in ceremony took place amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bidens also accessorized with face masks.
For Trump’s second inauguration yesterday, the former English professor chose a monochromatic Ralph Lauren ensemble in a bold purple shade—a color which often symbolizes bipartisan union in American politics.
Michelle Obama, 2013 and 2009
For former President Barack Obama’s second inauguration in 2013, Michelle chose a navy silk jacquard coat and dress in a checked pattern from Thom Browne. Considered one of the most stylish first ladies, she opted for a ruby chiffon and velvet gown by Taiwan-born Canadian artist and fashion designer Jason Wu at her second inaugural ball.
For her husband’s first inauguration in 2009, Michelle made heads turn with a sparkly lemongrass dress-and-jacket combo by the late Cuban-American fashion designer Isabel Toledo. Completing the memorable look were olive-green gloves and jade heels. She also turned to the New York-based Wu for a chiffon gown with flowers and crystals that she wore to the inaugural ball in 2009.
Related story: The year that was: What Google Search reveals about PH in 2024
Laura Bush, 2001 and 2005
Mrs. Bush picked Dominican fashion designer Oscar de la Renta, a favorite of several first ladies, when she attended her husband George’s inauguration in 2005. She wore a white cashmere coat dress, which she paired with a matching cashmere scarf and gloves, as well as beige heels. She proceeded to wow guests on the dance floor in a long-sleeve dress embroidered with beads and crystals, also by de la Renta, at the Texas Wyoming Ball.
For her husband’s first inauguration in 2001, Laura helped elevate the status of Texas-based designer Michael Faircloth, when she wore his blue coat to the event. For the Salute to Heroes dinner, she stunned in a show-stopping red Chantilly lace gown studded with crystals, also designed by Faircloth.
Hillary Clinton, 1997 and 1993
The indefatigable Mrs. Clinton made pink chic when she wore a bubblegum-hued coat by de la Renta during husband Bill Clinton’s second inauguration in 1997. Like it or not, you have to admit it’s one of the most indelible inaugural fashion pieces ever. She also chose de la Renta for her embroidered tulle dress for the balls that followed.
In 1993, Hillary opted for a patterned suit by Connie Fails, a designer based in Mr. Clinton’s home state of Arkansas. For the inaugural ball she picked a shimmering violet dress by Sarah Phillips.
Related story: The New York Times reveals its 2024 Most Stylish list—with some rather surprising entries
Barbara Bush, 1989
Barbara Bush wore a royal-blue gown with velvet bodice and asymmetrically draped silk satin skirt to the 1989 inaugural balls. The dress was designed by Arnold Scassi, who notably remarked that Barbara was suddenly, “the most glamorous grandmother in the United States.”
Nancy Reagan, 1985 and 1981
Red was Nancy Reagan’s favorite color, but she surprised many by wearing an electric-blue outfit by Cuban designer Adolfo Sardiña during her husband Ronald Reagan’s swearing in for his second term in 1985. The New York Times credits Nancy for helping set a trend for future first ladies when she “sparkled onstage” with Mr. Reagan that year.
The Reagans pose in the White House Red Room before attending the inaugural balls in 1981 (left) and 1985. Nancy Reagan wore John Galanos-designed gowns for both occasions. Photos from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
In 1981, Nancy ushered in the dawn of “Reagan red” when she wore a vibrant red ensemble to the presidential motorcade. She was also every inch a fashionista wearing a cape and a custom coat by American couturier James Galanos to the first of several balls in 1981.
Rosalynn Carter, 1977
Mrs. Carter wore a blue-green dress by Dominic Rompollo before her husband, Jimmy Carter, was inaugurated as president in 1977. She later wore a matching overcoat also by Rompollo.
Her choice for the inaugural ball—a blue dress with chiffon sleeves—made headlines as she had worn the same dress when her husband was inaugurated as the governor of Georgia in 1971. At the time, the Carters had been hoping to convey the message that they felt the economic pain of ordinary people, which was part of their campaign. It seemed, however, many didn’t want them to be “regular people.”
“She wanted to continue the tradition and wear it when (Carter) was inaugurated president,” Edith Mayo, then-curator of the First Ladies exhibit, told PBS in 2001. “But the fashion community distinctly did not get that and they did not like it.”
Pat Nixon, 1973 and 1969
With inaugurations being winter events, Mrs. Nixon kept herself snug in a stately blue-green coat with a fur collar in 1973. She later on changed to a turquoise gown with crystals as she danced with her husband at the inaugural ball.
Mr. Nixon famously said that his wife “doesn’t have a mink coat, but she does have a respectable Republican cloth coat.” True enough, Pat donned a double-breasted coat at the inauguration in 1969. For the inaugural ball, she wore a heavily embroidered Harvey Berin yellow gown made of double-faced silk satin.
Lady Bird Johnson, 1965
Lady Bird was striking in a red wool coat with black accents in a sea of mostly black suits before the inauguration of her husband, Lyndon B. Johnson, in 1965. For the gala that evening, Mrs. Johnson looked regal in a John Moore-designed yellow satin gown and sable-trimmed coat.
Jacqueline Kennedy, 1961
Revered as one of the most stylish women, Jacqueline Kennedy left an indelible mark on the fashion world through her elegant, tasteful, and sophisticated wardrobe choices. For her husband John F. Kennedy’s inauguration in 1961, she made big-buttons trendy thanks to the stylish Oleg Cassini coat she wore. The pillbox hat—a staple of her wardrobe—was designed by Halston. Jackie O also helped Ethel Frankau of Bergdorf Custom Salon design the dress that she wore to an astounding five inaugural balls.
