Presidential Inauguration Fashion: From Jackie O to Bernie's Mittens

On Inauguration Day, it’s unlikely that just red, white, and blue will be the only color schemes seen among American attire.

On January 20, Donald Trump will take the oath as the 47th president of the United States, succeeding Joe Biden in this position. JD Vance is set to follow suit and become the vice president, replacing Kamala Harris who lost to Trump in the 2024 presidential election.

At the gathering, numerous attendees’ wardrobes will catch the eye of many spectators, given the variety of ensembles sported at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C.

At his inauguration as the 45th president in 2017, Melania Trump wore a light blue jacket and dress from Ralph Lauren, accessorized with matching gloves. For the night’s ball, she opted for an off-the-shoulder gown by Hervé Pierre, which was vanilla-colored and embellished with details such as a ruffled trim and red ribbon belt.

As a devoted follower, I want to emphasize that while the new First Lady’s outfit is expected to grab headlines, it’s not just her style that will create a stir – the performers’ attire could also spark quite a conversation.

As a devoted fashion enthusiast, I certainly can’t overlook the striking Schiaparelli Haute Couture gown that Lady Gaga graced at Biden’s presidential inauguration in 2021, or the captivating Pucci dress and Christian Dior coat Beyoncé wore to Barack Obama’s first swearing-in ceremony in 2013. These iconic outfits have undeniably left a lasting impression on me!

This year, Carrie Underwood, Christopher Macchio, and Lee Greenwood are scheduled to perform at Trump’s inaugural event. Additionally, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jason Aldean, Gavin DeGraw, and Rascal Flatts are among the other musicians who will be singing at related rallies and balls.

Even the appearances of attendees can spark conversations. For example, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders became a social media sensation due to his distinctive winter coat and gloves at Biden’s inauguration. (Notably, he acknowledged the memes that were made about him.)

To see more inauguration looks throughout the years, keep reading.

At President Donald Trump’s 45th inauguration, First Lady Melania Trump’s outfit, featuring coordinating gloves and heels, drew comparisons to Jacqueline Kennedy, who wore a similar silhouette and possibly the same shade of blue for John F. Kennedy’s inauguration in 1961. Interestingly, Melania had expressed admiration for Jackie Kennedy as a potential first lady back in 1999, stating that she would emulate traditional styles like Betty Ford or Jackie Kennedy if given the opportunity.

On the day of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s inauguration, one year following the tragic assassination of President John F. Kennedy, First Lady Lady Bird Johnson, elegantly attired in a vibrant yellow satin dress and matching coat with fur trim, designed by John Moore, radiated the optimism the nation sought for.

Rosalynn Carter, the First Lady, demonstrated her forward-thinking spirit by wearing a gold-embroidered coat with a blue chiffon gown trimmed in gold, to the 1977 inaugural balls. Remarkably, she had worn this same dress six years prior for President Jimmy Carter’s inauguration as Georgia governor. This choice made her distinct among earlier first ladies and foreshadowed her unique approach to her new role, a concept that would gain more prominence decades later with the rise of sustainable fashion.

At Ronald Reagan’s first inauguration in 1981, Nancy Reagan opted for a red dress and coat by Adolfo, accessorizing with a coordinating hat, gold earrings, and black gloves. Interestingly, she was so enamored of this designer that she chose another one of his creations for her husband’s second inauguration in 1985.

During President George H.W. Bush’s inauguration in 1989, his wife, Barbara Bush, donned a blue Arnold Scaasi dress as part of her attire. This dress showcased a velvet square-neck bodice and an asymmetrical silk satin skirt, as preserved by the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, which houses the First Ladies Collection that includes over two dozen gowns and more than 160 items dating back to Martha Washington, our first First Lady. She completed her ensemble with pearls.

At Bill Clinton’s first inaugural ball in 1993, Hillary Clinton donned a dress designed by Sarah Phillips. This elegant gown, as described by the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, was a violet beaded lace sheath with an iridescent blue velvet silk mousseline overskirt.

During his second term re-election, the ex-secretary of state donned a stylish pink winter outfit featuring a coat, gloves, and shoes in coordinating shades of brown, for the inauguration ceremony.

At the 2001 inauguration of George W. Bush, Laura Bush, his wife, showcased the significance of style by wearing a vibrant ensemble designed by Michael Faircloth, a fashion designer hailing from her home state of Texas.

For the Inaugural Ball that night, she opted for a dress by the same designer. The Smithsonian National Museum of American History notes that the crimson attire boasted intricate Chantilly lace embellished with crystals on a base of silk georgette.

In 2009, as I stepped out for President Barack Obama’s first inauguration, I chose an unexpected hue: lemongrass, as described by the dress’s designer, Isabel Toledo. She used this term not just to identify a color, but to convey a feeling. The idea was to suggest rebirth and renewal. This soft shade of sage green represented warmth, tranquility, and a soothing calm, symbolizing a fresh start, as explained in her book, “Roots of Style.

Toledo explained, “I’ve always been drawn to colors that are hard to put into words, as they allow everyone to make them their own.” He added, “This ‘lemongrass’ shade, for instance, might appear sunflower-like to some, while others see it as pale gold, corn husk, mustard, sunshine, mellow yellow, sandy ochre, or newborn celery. The beauty of colors lies in their subjectivity and openness to multiple interpretations. The more complex a color is, the longer it stays relevant and the wider its impact.

As an ardent admirer, I can’t help but marvel at the impact first ladies have through their fashion decisions. Michelle Obama’s 2009 inaugural gown, a stunning one-shoulder white creation by Jason Wu, truly stood out. Her choice not only accentuated her elegance but also catapulted this young, promising designer into stardom. During the two terms of President Obama, she graced numerous occasions with Wu’s designs, including his second inauguration balls in 2013 – a testament to their enduring partnership and her unwavering support for emerging talent.

One of the distinctive features of her eight-year tenure is that the author of “Becoming” often blended high-end and affordable fashion, a practice that has significantly marked her fashion history. This was evident at both inaugurations; in 2009, she chose green J. Crew gloves, and in 2013, she opted for J. Crew once more, accessorizing with a bejeweled belt, purple gloves, and heels that gained global attention.

At Barack Obama’s 2013 inauguration, Beyoncé made an appearance with the responsibility of performing “The Star-Spangled Banner”. Dazzling the crowd in a black Emilio Pucci gown and a black Christian Dior coat, she accessorized elegantly with Lorraine Schwartz emerald earrings. While her striking outfit was the main topic on the internet, it has since remained iconic due to a confession she made later, admitting that she sang along to a pre-recorded track during the performance.

A subtle symbol of unity was evident on Inauguration Day in 2017 when both the outgoing Obama and incoming Trump administrations chose similar color schemes. Interestingly, while President Obama and President Trump opted for ties in their respective party colors, their wives wore colors that were opposite to each other, signifying a gesture of harmony and cooperation.

At the 2017 inauguration, Melania wore a baby blue dress and matching bolero by Ralph Lauren, which stood out, as some designers like Marc Jacobs and Sophie Theallet chose not to dress her due to President Trump’s actions and views. Over the years, various first ladies of diverse political backgrounds have adorned designs from this iconic American brand, Ralph Lauren. A representative from Ralph Lauren shared with Glamour that “The Presidential Inauguration is an opportunity for the United States to present its best image globally.” They emphasized their commitment to preserving and enhancing the tradition of creating quintessential American style during this significant moment.

At the 2017 inauguration, Hillary Clinton, who had lost the 2016 election, wore a white outfit from Ralph Lauren. This color is often linked to the suffragette movement. Wearing the same designer as Melania could be seen as a gesture of unity beyond party affiliations. Notably, it was reported by Glamour that Ralph Lauren intentionally adopted a non-political approach by dressing Hillary Clinton for the inauguration and Michelle Obama during the inauguration weekend.

As President Joe Biden assumed office as the 46th U.S. president in 2021, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden donned an “ocean blue wool tapered tweed dress adorned with pearls and crystals in a dainty floral pattern,” according to the Smithsonian. The matching coat boasted a “dark blue velvet collar and cuffs.” The design was courtesy of Alexandra O’Neill.

Given that the inauguration ceremony occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bidens were also seen wearing masks.

In a groundbreaking moment, Kamala Harris became the first female, African-American, and South Asian American Vice President in U.S. history. On this historic occasion, she donned a striking purple coat and dress designed by Christopher John Rogers for her swearing-in ceremony.

At Biden’s inauguration, when Lady Gaga took the stage to perform the national anthem, viewers were treated to a Schiaparelli gown designed by Daniel Roseberry. The fashion house described the Grammy-winning singer’s attire as a tailored navy cashmere jacket and a skirt made of washed red silk faille. She completed her ensemble with a symbolic brooch featuring a gilded dove of peace.

During Biden’s inauguration, it was Jennifer Lopez who performed the songs “This Land Is Your Land” and “America, The Beautiful”. For this special occasion, she chose a pristine white outfit designed by Chanel.

When Amanda Gorman recited her poem “The Hill We Climb,” she adorned herself in a yellow Prada coat and a red headband. Interestingly, she revealed to Vogue that her mother advised her to style the headband as if it were a “tiara, a symbol of royalty.

During Joe Biden’s inauguration, Bernie Sanders became a social media sensation due to his winter coat and mittens. However, the senator from Vermont confessed that he didn’t realize how much attention his attire was attracting at first. In an episode of Late Night With Seth Meyers in 2021, when asked about it, Sanders said, “No, not at all.” He explained that he was simply trying to stay warm and focused on the event. When Meyers brought up the memes, Sanders acknowledged, “Yes, I’ve seen them.

2025-01-20 08:18

Presidential Inauguration Fashion: From Jackie O to Bernie’s Mittens

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