Melania Trump arrived at St. John's Church wearing a wool coat by Adam Lippes and a simple boater-style hat. Reuters
During the 2025 Presidential Inauguration, Melania Trump turned heads with her striking fashion choices. Standing behind President-elect Donald Trump at the United States Capitol Rotunda, she wore a wool boater-style hat, designed by New York milliner Eric Javits. The hat, with its wide brim that almost obscured her eyes, added a dramatic flair to her look. The military-inspired ensemble she wore, featuring a tailored navy silk wool double-breasted coat, was complemented by a sleek pencil skirt, ivory silk crepe blouse, and bare legs paired with stiletto heels.
Just before being sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump leaned in to kiss Melania. Getty Images
The coat was designed by Adam Lippes, a renowned New York-based designer with a history of dressing prominent figures like Joe Biden and Michelle Obama. The ensemble featured intricate craftsmanship, with the hand-sewn blouse and pencil skirt highlighting the precision of Lippes' team in New York. In a statement, Lippes expressed pride in dressing Melania for this significant occasion, emphasizing the craftsmanship behind the outfit. "The tradition of the presidential inauguration embodies the beauty of American democracy, and today we had the honor to dress our first lady, Mrs. Melania Trump," Lippes said.
Jill Biden, the former First Lady, wore a purple outfit by American designer Ralph Lauren, symbolizing bipartisan unity. Getty Images
Despite the bitter cold weather—the coldest inauguration in 40 years—Melania’s outfit remained strikingly polished, with the only sign of the chill being her black leather gloves. However, it was her bold hat choice that became a focal point. "With her face half hidden by her hat, Melania remains aloof," noted Nichola Gutgold, a professor and author of "Electing Madam Vice President: When Women Run, Women Win."
The ceremony was attended by prominent tech leaders, including Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta and Facebook; Lauren Sanchez; Amazon founder Jeff Bezos; Google CEO Sundar Pichai; and Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. Getty Images
Her choice of military-inspired fashion reflected a sense of privacy and reserve. Throughout her time as First Lady from 2017 to 2021, Melania’s style became more structured, with long sleeves, cinched waists, and sharp, almost armor-like silhouettes. Kate Bennett, a former CNN White House correspondent, suggested that Melania's evolving fashion choices were a reflection of the intense public scrutiny she faced.
The contrast between Melania Trump’s sharp, structured look and Jill Biden’s softer, bipartisan purple ensemble highlighted the differences in their approach to inaugural fashion. While Biden wore a relaxed tie-waist overcoat and blouse designed by Ralph Lauren, Trump’s precise and tailored look seemed to reinforce a sense of distance, as though her outfit served as a shield from the outside world.
Usha, the wife of Vice President JD Vance, paid tribute to Jackie Kennedy by wearing a pink Oscar de la Renta coat dress paired with suede boots. Reuters
Melania’s hat, in particular, caught the attention of fashion critics. Professor Gutgold described it as evoking a "queenly aura," while Vanessa Friedman, the chief fashion critic for the New York Times, observed that Melania appeared "more royal family governess than necessarily American first lady." This new direction in her fashion seemed to create a physical barrier between herself and the public.
Meanwhile, Usha Vance, wife of Vice President JD Vance, made her own fashion statement with a pastel pink Oscar de la Renta coat dress, drawing comparisons to the iconic Jackie Kennedy. The pale pink shade, reminiscent of Kennedy’s own fashion choices, was a subtle nod to the former first lady’s legacy.
First Lady Melania Trump wasn’t the only one sporting a standout hat; Ivanka Trump chose a forest green beret for the event. AP Photo
Even Ivanka Trump embraced her unique style, opting for a forest green beret that added another layer of fashion diversity at the event. The overall fashion at the inauguration was a blend of classic styles, new influences, and personal expressions, with each attendee making their own mark.
