Melania Trump's Signature Inaugural Looks Boater-Style Hat, Ball Gowns, and More
Explore Melania Trump’s standout fashion choices at the inauguration, including her boater-style hat, elegant ball gowns, and other key looks. From structured ensembles to regal touches, discover how her style evolved and made a statement on the historic day.

With her eyes nearly concealed by the rim of her wool boater-style hat, Melania Trump stood behind President-elect Donald Trump on stage at the United States Capitol Rotunda as he took the oath of office. Designed by New York-based milliner Eric Javits, the hat added a subtle yet sophisticated touch to her military-inspired ensemble. She wore a navy silk wool double-breasted coat, cinched at the waist, paired with bare legs and stiletto heels.
The outfit was created by Adam Lippes, a New York-based designer known for dressing both Joe Biden and Michelle Obama. (Trump has worn Lippes' designs several times, including a shirtdress from the fashion house during a summer outing in New York, as well as various pieces during her husband's first term.) Beneath the tailored coat, she wore a silk wool pencil skirt and an ivory silk crepe blouse, styled with a sharp neckline, all hand-sewn by Lippes' team in New York. The tradition of the presidential inauguration embodies the beauty of American democracy, and today we had the honor of dressing our First Lady, Mrs. Melania Trump, Lippes said in a statement. Mrs. Trump's outfit was crafted by some of America's finest artisans, and I take great pride in showcasing such work to the world.
The only indication of the coldest inauguration in 40 years was her black leather gloves.
But it was the millinery that truly captured attention. With her face partially obscured by her hat, Melania appears aloof, said Professor Nichola Gutgold, author of Electing Madam Vice President: When Women Run, Women Win, in an email to CNN.
She exuded an air of elusiveness, with a hint of combative edge to her outfit—an effect not uncommon for Trump. During her first term as First Lady from 2017 to 2021, her fashion choices evolved to include more structured, military-inspired dresses and skirt suits in khaki, navy, and gray. As her public persona took shape, she still sought privacy, Kate Bennett, a former CNN White House correspondent, remarked ahead of the inauguration. In my view, her clothes reflected that. Her silhouettes became longer, with long sleeves, cinched waists, sharp shoulders, and longer hemlines—almost a military-inspired vibe. I think it felt like armor, especially after enduring four years of intense scrutiny.
The incoming First Lady’s precise, structured outfit stood in stark contrast to Jill Biden’s softer silhouette as they stood together on the White House steps. Biden’s relaxed, tie-waist overcoat and blouse—both in the bipartisan color purple—were designed by Ralph Lauren. The iconic American label had also been credited with creating Trump’s 2017 powder blue inauguration look, which was often compared to Jackie Kennedy’s style.
If, eight years ago, Trump aimed to channel one of the most revered First Ladies in history, this time, she seemed to be taking a different approach. Some saw her look through a more regal lens. Professor Gutgold noted that Trump’s hat suggested a Queenly aura, while Vanessa Friedman, the New York Times' chief fashion critic, told CNN’s Anderson Cooper that Trump appeared more royal family governess than American First Lady. In 2017, she used fashion’s soft power to align herself with perhaps the most accessible presidential wife. Now, it seemed her outfit was designed to create distance—a physical barrier to the outside world.
Meanwhile, it was Usha Vance, wife of new Vice President JD Vance, who seemed to channel Kennedy’s style. Vance wore a custom Oscar de la Renta pastel pink cashmere coat dress, a hue synonymous with Kennedy’s legacy—from the bubblegum pink Christian Dior gown she wore to greet the French minister of culture in 1962, to the Chanel suit she donned the day her husband was assassinated. Similarly, Priscilla Chan arrived with her husband, Mark Zuckerberg, in a baby blue twin-set and three strands of pearls, a 1960s-inspired look that evoked the late First Lady.
Not everyone, however, adhered to the fashion history playbook. American journalist Lauren Sanchez, wife of Jeff Bezos, arrived at the ceremony in a white suit worn without a shirt, exposing her matching lingerie-style top. While Melania Trump chose a U.S. designer, Ivanka Trump embraced a more continental approach, attending in a forest green beret-style hat and carrying a Christian Dior bag.
There were few surprises in menswear, with nearly all male attendees opting for dark-colored two-piece suits. A notable exception was Senator John Fetterman, who appeared in shorts and a hooded sweatshirt. The president himself chose a broad-shouldered cut paired with a red-and-blue necktie. Several of Trump’s closest allies, including his son Donald Jr., JD Vance, Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth, and UFC President Dana White, wore bright red neckties—a signature Trump look when combined with a navy suit. In contrast, former presidents in attendance opted for varying shades of blue ties, with Bill Clinton sporting a checkered pattern and Barack Obama wearing stripes.
As the day turned to night, the First Lady's fashion once again took center stage. For the inaugural balls, Melania Trump wore a strapless white silk gown adorned with thick black bands that zigzagged across her torso and cascaded to the floor.
The dress was designed by Hervé Pierre, the French-American designer behind the cream gown she wore to the 2017 inaugural balls. Pierre, Trump’s longtime stylist and a couture designer in his own right, had sparked speculation earlier by posting a scene from Disney’s Cinderella (featuring mice and birds working on Cinderella's ballgown) to Instagram Stories. On Monday evening, Pierre confirmed his involvement in a statement to Women’s Wear Daily, calling it an honor to collaborate with her.
It was clear that Mrs. Trump was drawn to a combination of black and white—true to her own style and vision, said Pierre, who has worked for renowned labels such as Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera. He has also designed outfits for former First Ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, and Hillary Clinton.
Meanwhile, Second Lady Usha Vance attended the evening balls in an embroidered dégradé gown by New York-based Lebanese designer Reem Acra.
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