The dress of the first lady: what the wives of US presidents wore at the inauguration of their husbands

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

For the past few decades, the inauguration of the President of the United States has taken place on January 20. So this time, it was on this day in Washington in front of the Capitol that Donald John Trump was solemnly sworn in, becoming the 45th president of this country. On this occasion, a solemn parade and ball are traditionally held. All attention is focused on the future head of state and his wife, the first lady of the country. In our review - the outfits in which the wives of US presidents flaunted at the inauguration of their husbands.

President's Inauguration Balls are a tradition dating back to the reign of George Washington (the first President of the United States, elected in 1789). Since then, such balls have not been held only during the First and Second World Wars, as well as during the Great Depression. For such an event, men traditionally dress up in black and white suits with a bow tie, while women wear the most sophisticated dresses, which, as a rule, are worn only once. This is especially true for the first ladies - their appearance, from the choice of a designer of dresses, accessories, to hairstyle and makeup, will then be thoroughly discussed in the press, so each such outfit is a well-thought-out image, in which there are no unnecessary details. After the end of the ball (or balls - sometimes there are several of them), the dress of the First Lady is sent to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

Helen Louise Taft

First Lady Helen Taft was the first to submit her dress to the collection of the Smithsenian National Museum, thus starting the collection. It was a white silk dress trimmed with lace and brocade. The outfit was complemented by a graceful decoration on the neck. The dress was designed by the Frances Smith Company.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt wore an elegant blue and white brocade dress for her husband Franklin's first inauguration in 1933. The dress had a simple silhouette, and Eleanor decided not to burden it with additional decorations, except for a simple pendant. At the ceremony itself, Eleanor was also in a blue dress, but in a slightly different shade, which the press called Eleanor blue. Both outfits were created by New York-based fashion designer Sally Mingrim, and the choice of the first lady had a very positive impact on the profit margins of Sally's dresses, especially considering that she was one of the first female designers in the United States.

Mamie Eisenhower

Despite the fact that Dwight D. Eisenhower was not the first president to be re-elected for a second term, he was the first to organize a gala ball for re-election as well. In 1953, First Lady Mamie Eisenhower came out in a light pink dress embroidered with over 2,000 precious stones. A week before this event, Mamie showed this dress to the press, telling in detail what it was made of. The dress was created by fashion designer Nettie Rosenstein and the pearl necklace belongs to Trifari.

Jacqueline Kennedy

First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy was deeply concerned about how fashion might affect the status of their married couple. So she decided to create her own image, and together with the designer Ethel Frankau, who works in the Bergdorf luxury salon. The outfit, traditionally in light colors, included a light silk sleeveless dress and stole, while the overall look was complemented by massive earrings and a white clutch.

Claudia Alta "Lady Bird" Johnson

Lady Bird Johnson wore a long yellow dress and a fur-trimmed coat of the same color for her husband's inauguration. The outfit was created by American designer John Moore. The press noted that the couple looked very stylish and elegant while dancing to the famous song "The Way You Look Tonight."

Thelma Catherine "Pat" Nixon

Pat Nixon also chose yellow for her husband's inauguration dress. The satin floor-length dress embroidered with gold, silver and Swarowski crystals was created by designer Karen Stark, who works for Harvey Berin. Mrs. Nixon wore this chic dress at the Smithsonian, which was the venue of the ball that year.

Rosalyn Carter

Instead of a fancy ball, President Carter threw an "inauguration party" with a relatively informal atmosphere and a more affordable entry price ($ 25). In light of this frugality, Mrs. Carter also decided not to rely on the exclusivity and expensive cost of the outfit, and came to the inauguration in the same chiffon dress that she had worn six years before, when her husband was sworn in as governor of Georgia.

Nancy Reagan

The press called Reagan's inauguration "too wasteful," given the hard times in the country. And therefore, Nancy's graceful dress, a white satin floor-length dress embroidered with lace (designer James Galanos, known for his expensive VIP outfits), also drew public criticism.

Nancy Reagan

At the second inauguration of her husband, Nancy Reagan again wore a dress from Galanos, this time even more expensive - at that time the dress was estimated at $ 46,000, which at the current exchange rate is about one hundred thousand American dollars.

Barbara Bush

Barbara Bush, like Eleanor Roosevelt, appeared at her husband's inauguration in a blue dress. She opted for a navy velvet top and satin skirt. The outfit was created by Arnold Skaasi, who has been designing dresses for first ladies since the reign of Eisenhower. He named this shade of blue "Barbara blue."

Hillary Clinton

At the ball on the occasion of her husband's inauguration, First Lady Hillary Clinton wore a dress by a little-known designer from Manatten, Sarah Phillips. Hillary liked Sarah's outfits so much that she ordered her an outfit for her husband's inauguration even before Bill actually won the election.

Hillary Clinton

In 1997, a record number of balls were organized in honor of the inauguration of the president - as many as 14! Hillary Clinton shone this time in a dress from the famous designer Oscar de la Renta.

Laura Bush

At the ball in 2001, First Lady Laura Bush appeared before the public in a red lace dress from Dallas-based designer Michael Fykloz.

Laura Bush

For her husband's second inauguration, Laura Bush wore a dress by the same designer who created the outfit for Hillary Clinton in 1997. This time Laura wore a silver-blue dress and a necklace made of Austrian rock crystal.

Michelle Obama

First lady Michelle Obama chose the dress in secret from the press and even from the designer himself. So when she showed up at her husband's inauguration in a chic Jason Wu chiffon dress, it came as a surprise to everyone. However, the press took this choice very positively, fashion journalist Kate Betts even compared her dress to a wedding, implying that white symbolizes the beginning of something grand.

Michelle Obama

For the second inauguration of her husband Michelle Obama also chose an outfit from Jason Wu. The designer commented on this choice that it was a special honor for him. Michelle's look was complemented by Jimmy Choo shoes and a Kimberly McDonald diamond bracelet.

Melania trump

Melania Trump's outfit has been compared to that of Jacqueline Kennedy. Wife Donald Trump she chose a light blue coat from Ralph Lauren with a large collar and three-quarter sleeves, and as accessories she took blue high gloves and pumps. However, at the ball, Melania was already in another, white elegant dress from Hervé Pierre.