Putting aside any takes on the startling MAGA comeback across the pond, there can be no denying that the returning FLOTUS, Melania Trump, has always been ripe for fashion analysis — be it for better or worse.
No one knows what she is thinking behind her shielding navy hat and drawn on, icy smile, but all have borne witness to a woman who knows how to get dressed. This is a former model and high society darling who was once the toast of the Met Gala and New York Fashion Week’s front row, after all.
So what is she wearing on inauguration day, as her husband is sworn in as 47th president? Usually incoming first ladies will support home-grown, US designers — however, fashion brands have historically not been enthusiastic to dress the Slovenian-American, which her stylist Hervé Pierre has labelled as “snobbish”.
Trump, although a fan of Dior and Dolce & Gabbana, did stick with tradition today. She was first spotted on inauguration day in a sophisticated navy blue coat by Adam Lippes, a New York based designer, as well as matching boater-style hat with a white ribbon and which hid her eyes by Eric Javits, who is also from the US, as she arrived at a service at St. John's Church.
Afterwards, she posed at the White House before joining her husband in making their way to the US Capitol Rotunda buildings, where the ceremony is being held due to particularly cold weather.
Celebrations began on Saturday, January 18, at the Trump National Golf Club in Virginia, where Melania opted for a Dior overcoat and Dolce & Gabbana suit. The following day, she wore a black, buttoned trench-cum-cape with black boots and leather gloves to attend a wreath laying by Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
She later changed into a black sequin Carolina Herrera skirt, Dolce & Gabbana shirt as well as a statement, black-tie style Saint Laurent cape for a candlelight dinner at the National Building Museum later that night.
To celebrate the presidential election win, as her husband Donald Trump beat Kamala Harris in November, she opted for a double-breasted grey, wool skirt Dior suit which extended just over the knee. What was she trying to say? Unlike some of the highlighter hues she has become known for, this time a touch of sophistication (and a willingness to slip, presentably, into the background) was preferred.
Pierre has long been the man behind her look. The former creative director at Carolina Herrera began working with her upon her entry to the White House, after designing her inauguration gown in 2016, and later helping her with her dressing, in what became his first styling job.
Because top luxury houses have historically refused to dress her, a great deal of what she wears is purchased. Pierre’s services do not come cheap, either. Having continued to help Melania Trump after leaving the White House, it was revealed he was paid over $100,000 from Donald Trump's Political action committee in the last six months of 2023 alone.
In an interview at the end of the former FLOTUS’s first four year stint in the White House, Pierre explained “it has been an honour to dress the First Lady. [The role] was totally unexpected. I met her for the first time on Jan 3 and on Jan 7, she asked me to design the gown for the inauguration four years ago. I had 11 or 12 days, because we had to do the fitting and deliver it. She didn’t give me so much information so I was swimming in fog.”
It would go on to become a happy collaboration, which has created some standout looks — and some shockers. Pierre claims not to have had anything to do with the “I really don’t care, do u?” gaffe, though.
Below, see our retrospective of Melania Trump’s most impactful outfits.
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Highlighter hues
Much like the late Queen Elizabeth II, Trump well understands the impact one bold, bright colour can achieve — certainly when sartorially speaking to thousands. A standout was a pre-Brat, Brat green pleated dress she wore for her husband’s Republican Party nomination acceptance speech in August 2020. The Valentino spring 2020 pleated-crepe dress did get her in a pickle online: it was the same colour as a green-screen, which made her an easy target for a meme onslaught. It followed a host of other retina-damagingly bright looks.
Melania Trump’s biggest fashion gaffes
There are two memorable terrors: a Zara coat which read “I really don’t care, do u?” shocked the world as FLOTUS made her way to visit facilities that house and care for children taken from their parents at the US-Mexico border. Another bad, though slightly less alarming, moment came with an unfortunate flesh shade pair of leather trousers.
Military Melania
All salute. Trump leans into army-style khaki two-pieces; famously for her 2020 speech, where she wore full look Alexander McQueen.
The old razzle dazzle
Never one to shy from a little sparkle, Trump is known to go-full-glitz when the dress code is black tie. Capes and all.
Stuck in the mud
Louboutins in the White House gardens? A little dirt has never been a concern of Melania’s.
