In honor of the recent inauguration, I will be reviewing the best first lady outfits and their impact on fashion and politics.
Jacqueline Kennedy
Although her time in the White house was short lived, Jackie Kennedy’s impact was something Americans had never seen. The presidency had never seen such youth, style, and culture. Shortly after her husband had been elected, she announced that she wanted to transform the White House into a “showcase of American art and history.” Jackie’s unofficial secretary of style, Oleg Cassini, was a fashion designer to the stars. For the swearing in of JFK, Jackie wore an A-line dress and coat designed by Cassini himself. The beige look featured oversized buttons and the iconic matching pillbox hat. As for the gala, Jackie played a role in the design of her gown. She sent a sketch to Ethel Frankau of Bergdorf Custom Salon, and the result was a columnar, off-white, sleeveless gown of silk chiffon with a chiffon overlay embellished with silver thread embroidery. These looks kickstarted her career as a fashion icon.
Nancy Regan
Being a Hollywood figure and experiencing life in the spotlight, Nancy Regan knew what is meant to be in the public eye. She appreciated and had an eye for fashion which made her a style marker. At Ronald Regan’s swearing in ceremony in 1981, Nancy wore a coat and hat in a color commonly known as “Regan Red” designed by Adolfo. For the ball she was a James Galanos heavily beaded, one-shoulder gown with a lace overlay. At Regan’s second swearing in ceremony in 1985, Nancy wore an Adolfo electric blue suit with gold chain jewelry and button earrings. For the ball she wore a Galanos white and silver beaded evening gown, with more art-deco inspired beading, which took more than 300 hours to apply.
Melania Trump
Melania Trump is one of the most fashionable first ladies beyond Inauguration Day. In 2017 Melania Trump wore a sky blue Ralph Lauren cashmere ensemble for the swearing in ceremony. At the inauguration ball she wore a vanilla silk crepe off-the-shoulder gown, designed by Hervé Pierre, that was cinched with a claret ribbon around the waist.
Jill Biden
At Joe Biden’s swearing-in ceremony in 2021, Jill Biden wore a robin’s egg blue coat from the young New York–based label Markarian, created by designer Alexandra O’Neill. The coat is custom made and embroidered with Swarovski crystals for added sheen. Of course, the look comes with an accessory never before worn at an inaugural ceremony—a face mask. The covering is a reminder for future generations that, despite the celebrations of our new president, there is a pandemic still devastating the country.
