Inauguration Fashion: Melania’s Power Look, Lauren’s Faux Pas, and Ivanka’s Jackie O. Moment!

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During the 60th presidential inauguration, as well as the preceding weekend activities, offered another chance for the Trumps to imprint their unique flair on the culture of Washington D.C.

For the first time in four decades, the ceremony was shifted indoors because of Washington D.C.’s freezing temperatures. This change brought fashion into sharper focus during the event, which is often referred to as the political world’s equivalent of the Oscars. On Monday, January 20th, some of the new administration’s influential figures made a vibrant entrance at the Capitol, showcasing their stylish attire and lively colors.

Upon disembarking from the bus as Trump’s potential cabinet members, they presented an immediately captivating scene for television viewers,” observes Lauren A. Rothman, a fashion stylist based in the Washington D.C. area with over two decades of experience and who dressed some guests at this year’s inauguration. “The vibrant colors stood out on screen, while their hairstyles were sleekly styled to appear glossy and unmoving in any weather. Some of the men opted not to wear coats, projecting a confident air of ‘I can handle 25 degrees easily.’ There was a distinct costume-like feel that seemed tailored to Trump’s unique style. His cabinet members seemed to have grasped the essence of their roles.

Everyone watched intently as Melania Trump, soon-to-be first lady, arrived at the Capitol rotunda for her husband’s inauguration as the 47th U.S. President, Donald J. Trump. She wore a sharp navy blue coat designed by Adam Lippes from New York and complemented it with a hat by Eric Javits, another New York designer. To complete her outfit, she added leather gloves and high heels.

Rothman remarks that Melania appears prepared for a significant and lengthy day in navy attire, hinting at readiness for a challenge. Her outfit carries a military vibe that helps her camouflage subtly, but the striking boater hat gives her individuality. Instead of the typical straw boater, she chose a wool one, which adds an element of surprise and screams fashion – sophisticated yet relaxed and casual.

On her first appearance as the First Lady in 2017, Melania Trump chose to wear a custom baby blue Ralph Lauren dress and matching cashmere jacket with long gloves, accompanied by blue Manolo Blahnik heels. Likewise for this event, she opted for an American fashion designer.

In her reputation for independence, the two-term First Lady seldom utilized her fashion choices as a means to promote American brands or make bold sartorial statements. During her husband’s first term, when his key slogan was “Buy American,” she faced criticism for not wearing more clothing from American brands, and several designers publicly expressed their refusal to dress her.

Over the weekend of her inauguration ceremonies, Melania Trump opted for her signature subtle sophistication, choosing some of her preferred European designer labels. On Saturday, she wore a spacious gray double-breasted coat from Christian Dior over a white jacquard pantsuit by Dolce & Gabbana, paired with white flats, at the inaugural reception held at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia. The following day, for the wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery alongside her husband, she donned a black cape coat from Dior and wore black Christian Louboutin boots. Later that evening, she opted for a flowing tuxedo cape from Saint Laurent, teamed with a Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo shirt, cummerbund, and a long black sequined skirt, notably by the American fashion label Carolina Herrera.

In 2017, Herve Pierre, a previous creative director at Carolina Herrera, was responsible for styling the first lady. He created an elegant ivory silk crepe column gown for her to wear to the inaugural balls. It is rumored that many of her outfits are purchased straight from the racks in stores.

At his inauguration, President Trump donned a black suit and overcoat, accessorized with a subtly patterned tie in shades of mauve. In contrast to his usual Republican-red ties, he switched things up during the weekend events by opting for a deep purple one paired with his black suit. This change could have been an unexpected gesture symbolizing unity across party lines.

I’ve noticed a change in Trump’s tie choices,” I remark. “Instead of the vibrant hues he typically sports, we’re seeing softer shades now. This shift could indicate a move towards a less confrontational and more thoughtful style, at least aesthetically speaking.”

In light of his keen eye for public perception, this change might be hinting at a new, potentially more deliberate, exercise of power.

Recently, the outgoing President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden opted for patriotic attire by Ralph Lauren, who was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom earlier this month. It’s intriguing to speculate whether Melania Trump’s vibrant purple ensemble might have been a subtle fashion statement symbolizing hopes for a more peaceful future ahead?

As a gamer, I was there among the select few invited to the initial ceremony, where tech titans like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos, all billionaires in their own right, made a grand entrance into the Capitol together. Lauren Sanchez, Bezos’ fiancée, turned heads with her striking white suit that sported a lacy corset bra visible beneath her jacket. This daring fashion choice added an unexpected dash of excitement to the otherwise formal occasion.

At the inauguration event, tech leaders displayed a mix of conventional political attire and more eye-catching fashion as noted by Rothman. For instance, Priscilla Chan, Mark Zuckerberg’s wife, exuded classic understated sophistication, while Lauren Sanchez brought an energetic flair with her corset-like top under a blazer, which had a lingerie-inspired look. Her bold fashion choice might border on being too attention-grabbing.

On Monday, Vice President J.D. Vance’s wife, Usha, made a striking appearance in a pink coat featuring a sash-tie neckline. Over the weekend, she turned heads at a Saturday evening event when she and her husband hosted a black-tie dinner for incoming cabinet members at the National Gallery of Art. She was breathtakingly elegant in a long, strapless black velvet Oscar de la Renta gown with asymmetrical floral embellishments on the bodice. On Sunday at Arlington Cemetery, her white double-breasted A-line coat stood out distinctively amidst the predominantly black-clad crowd attending the event.

I, as a gamer, am sharing an interesting piece of fashion news. In preparation for today’s inauguration, the second lady tapped Mary Grace Godfrey, a designer from South Bend, Indiana, who works for the brand Anagrassia, to create jackets for the Vances’ three kids. Ewan and Vivek got navy double-breasted jackets with gold buttons, while Mirabel was given a burgundy cape with matching gold ones. For a final touch of patriotism, “USA” was delicately embroidered under the collars in red, white, and blue thread.

During Inauguration Day and the weekend celebrations leading up to it, it was reported that the vice president was dressed by a tailor from Ohio named Romualdo Pelle, who is 90 years old and originally comes from Italy. He specifically designed various shirts, suits, ties, belts, overcoats, and gloves for Vance, as stated in a report by WKRC, a television and radio station based in Cincinnati.

Initially, Ivanka Trump, the eldest daughter, gracefully attended the inauguration wearing a stylish, well-coordinated ensemble consisting of a dark green skirt suit, which was accentuated by a slim black belt, and a coordinating green hat to complete the look.

Rothman remarks, “This is reminiscent of Jackie O moments.” The first daughter exudes elegance, effortlessly blending her passion for style and fashion with her political influence. Her previous career as a fashion entrepreneur, whose brand was once stocked in prominent department stores, showcases her keen insight into using clothing to convey both power and sophistication within the political arena.

On Sunday evening, Ivanka Trump donned a long-strung Oscar de la Renta ball gown for a candlelit dinner and a camel turtleneck dress and matching coat embellished with floral motifs by the designer for Arlington National Cemetery. In 2017, she opted for an ivory pantsuit from the same fashion house for her father’s inauguration ceremony, as well as two additional outfits from that year’s inaugural events.

Rothman notes that the event had a collective and inclusive vibe, with no single individual dominating the atmosphere. He adds that his clients in Washington D.C. are wondering if they should raise their own performance levels in response.

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2025-01-20 23:25