Inauguration Day marks the beginning of a new chapter for American politics and sets the tone for the next four years. However, beyond this day inevitably being entrenched in political fanfare, it is also the First Lady’s opportunity to introduce herself to not only America but to the world in her new role.  

While Americans have paid close attention to the first ladies’ outfits since Martha Washington, Mary Todd Lincoln was one of the first fashion enthusiasts to live in the White House. Although not confirmed, it is believed that she wore a stiffly structured skirt, which touted a floret pattern. To accessorize, she added fresh flowers, worn like a garland sash across her bodice and in her hair. Her Inauguration dress and subsequent outfits were frequently designed by Elizabeth Keckley, a former slave, after meeting on Inauguration Day.

Before Jackie Kennedy debuted her lavish pink suit, Mamie Eisenhower stunned America in a pink gown embellished with 2,000 rhinestones, and her name was printed on the left instep of her heels. Four years later, Mamie fashioned a fur coat at the ceremony and carried a bag furnished with the letter M. For the ball, she again brought a pop of color with a light-yellow off-the-shoulder gown embroidered with pearls, crystal drops, and translucent topaz beadwork. 

Jackie Kennedy, famous for her impeccable style, channeled Eurocentric fashion during her husband’s swearing-in ceremony by wearing an A-line dress and a Russian-designed coat featuring oversized buttons and a matching pillbox hat. While the outfit photographed as light blue, the dress and hat were actually beige. For the ball, she styled an off-white, sleeveless gown made of silk chiffon with a chiffon overlay embellished with silver embroidery, created based on her own sketch.  

Nancy Reagan sported a hat and coat in the famous shade of “Reagan red,” but even more notably, at the 1985 Inaugural ball, Nancy wore a white embroidered gown that took 300 hours to bead with an estimated cost of $46,000. 

Melania Trump, fashion icon and former model, debuted as first lady in a sky-blue cashmere Ralph Lauren outfit while flaunting a cream crepe off-the-shoulder silk gown adorned with a red ribbon to cinch the waist at the Inaugural ball. With her return to the White House this January, Melania has already given us a taste of her glamourous outfits on New Year’s Eve, Christmas, and Thanksgiving, leaving us more excited than ever to see what she will wow Americans with this time around on the historic day.  

This blog was written by Natalie Price, NeW Communications Intern.