It's official: moving trucks have been spotted outside The White House. As the world prepares wave goodbye to Donald Trump, hello to Joe Biden, we thought we'd switch our attention away from the President and instead focus on the First Lady. Specifically, the inauguration style of all the First Ladies of the past.
The dress that the new First Lady wears on Inauguration Day, both to the ceremony and later to the inaugural balls, is so much more than just a fashion choice. From making a political statement to putting new designers on the map, inauguration dresses have the ability to the set the tone for how the American public — and the rest of the world — will see the First Lady for the next four years. From the campaign trail, Biden is clearly a fan of quiet power dresses and understated tailoring, choosing to showcase designers such as Gabriela Hearst, Brandon Maxwell, Oscar de la Renta and Ralph Lauren.
The latter was First Lady Melania Trump's choice four years ago. For the inauguration of President Donald Trump, she wore a pale blue, double-faced cashmere set from Ralph Lauren. A spokeswoman for the First Lady said, ‘With the historic swearing-in of her husband, Donald J. Trump, as the 45th President of the United States, the first lady-elect will become America’s new First Lady wearing an American designer who transformed American fashion, Ralph Lauren.’
The shape and design of the jacket brought to mind looks from the 60s, drawing comparisons between the new First Lady and First Lady Jackie Kennedy. For the inauguration of her husband President John F. Kennedy in 1961, Jackiealso wore a pale blue ensemble designed by personal courtier Oleg Cassini. What drew the attention of the world, though, wasn’t her dress, but rather her matching egg-shaped pillbox hat. JFK’s presidency was to symbolise a new era of the United States, and Kennedy, surrounded by other women in dark coats and mink hats, was the human manifestation of that.
For her husband’s first inauguration in January 2009, First Lady Michelle Obama wore a one-shouldered white chiffon gown designed by Jason Wu, then a relatively-unknown designer. Wu embellished the dress with organza flowers and Swarovski crystals in an effort to signify hope. Four years later, for President Barack Obama’s second inauguration, Michelle once again turned to Jason Wu, this time wearing a stunning red halter-neck dress. Both times the First Lady wore Jimmy Choo shoes.
So, as you can see, the inauguration dress is more than just a dress — it’s a statement, whether that be one of hope, change or patriotism. And as we wait to see which designer Jill Biden chooses, let's look back at them in all their glory.
First Lady Inauguration Looks - Grazia
1 of 40Melania Trump
At Donald Trump's inauguration in January 2017.
2 of 40Melania Trump
At the inaugural ball in January 2017.
3 of 40Michelle Obama
At Barack Obama's second inauguration in January 2013
4 of 40Michelle Obama
At the inaugural ball in January 2013.
5 of 40Michelle Obama
At Barack Obama's first inauguration in January 2009.
6 of 40Michelle Obama
At the inaugural ball in January 2009.
7 of 40Laura Bush
At George W. Bush's second inauguration in January 2005.
8 of 40Laura Bush
At the inaugural ball in January 2005.
9 of 40Laura Bush
At George W. Bush's first inauguration in January 2001.
10 of 40Laura Bush
At the inaugural ball in January 2001.
11 of 40Hillary Clinton
At Bill Clinton's second inauguration in January 1997.
12 of 40Hillary Clinton
At the inaugural ball in January 1997.
13 of 40Hillary Clinton
At Bill Clinton's first inauguration in January 1993.
14 of 40Hillary Clinton
At the inaugural ball in January 1993.
15 of 40Barbara Bush
At George H. W. Bush's inauguration in January 1989.
16 of 40Barbara Bush
At the inaugural ball in January 1989.
17 of 40Nancy Reagan
At Ronald Reagan's second inauguration in January 1985.
18 of 40Nancy Reagan
At the inaugural ball in 1985.
19 of 40Nancy Reagan
At Ronald Reagan's first inauguration in January 1981.
20 of 40Nancy Reagan
At the inaugural ball in January 1981.
21 of 40Rosalynn Carter
At Jimmy Carter's inauguration in January 1977.
22 of 40Rosalynn Carter
At the inaugural ball in January 1977.
23 of 40Pat Nixon
At Richard Nixon's second inauguration in January 1973.
24 of 40Pat Nixon
At the inaugural ball in January 1973.
25 of 40Pat Nixon
At Richard Nixon's inauguration in January 1969.
26 of 40Pat Nixon
At the inaugural ball in January 1969.
27 of 40Lady Bird Johnson
At Lyndon B. Johnson's inauguration in January 1965.
28 of 40Lady Bird Johnson
Posing in her gown for the inaugural ball in January 1965.
29 of 40Jackie Kennedy
At John F. Kennedy's inauguration in January 1961.
30 of 40Jackie Kennedy
At the inaugural ball in January 1961.
31 of 40Mamie Eisenhower
Posing in her inauguration gown in January 1957.
32 of 40Eleanor Roosevelt
At Franklin D. Roosevelt's third inauguration in January 1941.
33 of 40Eleanor Roosevelt
Posing in her one of her inauguration dresses in January 1941.
34 of 40Eleanor Roosevelt
At Franklin D. Roosevelt's second inauguration in January 1937.
35 of 40Eleanor Roosevelt
Posing in her inauguration dress and coat in January 1937.
36 of 40Eleanor Roosevelt
At Franklin D. Roosevelt's first inauguration in January 1933.
37 of 40Eleanor Roosevelt
Posing in her inauguration dress in January 1933.
38 of 40Grace Coolidge
At Calvin Coolidge's inauguration in 1925.
39 of 40Florence Harding
At Warren G. Harding's inauguration in March 3, 1921.
40 of 40Mary Todd Lincoln
Dressed for Abraham Lincoln's inauguration in May 1861.