Melania Trump's Inauguration Outfit Signals Distance and Conservatism

The First Lady's fashion choices at Donald Trump's second inauguration highlight personal autonomy and adherence to traditional values.

Melania Trump wore a dark blue double-breasted coat dress by American designer Adam Lippes, paired with a wide-brimmed hat by Eric Javits, emphasizing a conservative and militaristic aesthetic.
Fashion experts interpret her outfit as a deliberate statement of formality and distance, with the hat partially obscuring her face and preventing a public kiss with the President.
The choice of American designers aligns with inaugural traditions but contrasts with Melania's usual preference for European couture, which has drawn criticism for not supporting the U.S. fashion industry.
Many prominent American designers continue to avoid collaborating with the Trump family, reflecting tensions between the administration and the predominantly left-leaning fashion world.
The evening gown, designed by Hervé Pierre, featured understated elegance with a white strapless silhouette and black accents, underscoring a restrained approach to inaugural fashion.