As Melania Trump prepares to reclaim her role as First Lady, all eyes are on what she will wear to her husband’s second inauguration. Known for her striking fashion choices, Melania has a history of turning heads and making statements with her wardrobe. From her entrance into the East Wing in 2017 to her rare appearances since leaving the White House, Melania’s fashion has always been a topic of discussion.
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“She’s not just dressing for herself; she’s communicating something to the world,” said style strategist Lauren A. Rothman. “Everyone loves a good fashion moment, no matter what side of the aisle you’re on.”
What will Melania wear this time?
Melania Trump’s fashion choices have always been more than just clothing—they’re a deliberate part of her public image. At her husband’s first inauguration, she channeled Jackie Kennedy in a custom powder-blue Ralph Lauren dress, paired with matching gloves and heels. For the Inaugural Ball, she stunned in a custom Hervé Pierre gown that now resides in the National Museum of American History. Both looks were elegant, bold, and uniquely Melania.
As the 54-year-old prepares to step back into the role of First Lady, her approach to public life has noticeably shifted. “We don’t hear a ton from her,” Rothman noted, “but we see her, and we process her verbal communication cues.” Those cues often start with her wardrobe.
Given her anticipated limited presence in Washington, her Inauguration Day outfit is expected to send a powerful message. Rothman predicts something patriotic and confident, perhaps an “Americana moment” similar to her 2017 ensemble but updated to reflect her evolving role. “This time around, she’s not going to be a mannequin,” Rothman said. “She is living her life, and her life dictates that she won’t be in the White House full time.”
Melania’s rare public appearances since 2021 have only heightened curiosity about her style. Whatever she chooses, it will likely reflect her status as a private figure stepping into the public eye once again—a balance between her role as a mother to 18-year-old Barron and her position as First Lady.
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Redefining the role of First Lady
Melania Trump’s fashion has always been about rewriting the rules, much like her husband’s political career. “She’s upended all the rules, just like her husband has, for a first lady,” said Kate Andersen Brower, author of First Women: The Grace and Power of America’s Modern First Ladies.
From her high-end inaugural ball gown to her infamous $39 jacket emblazoned with “I really don’t care, do u?” during a visit to a migrant detention center, Melania’s choices have been unapologetically her own. According to Browser, Melania’s taste for luxury is unlikely to change, even as she reenters public life.
“I really don’t think that we’ll see her wearing more affordable clothes, because she’s never done that,” Brower said. “To her, she would think she’s making sacrifices to be First Lady.”
Despite campaigning toward middle- and working-class voters, the Trumps have never attempted to tone down their lifestyle. “Do you see them selling Mar-a-Lago for a condo in Palm Beach?” Brower joked. “No. Her personal liberty and fashion choices aren’t up for negotiation.”
Americans have long looked to First Ladies as both style icons and figures of strength, and Melania’s appeal is no exception. For many Trump supporters, she represents a modern-day ideal. “There is an aspirational quality to Melania that Trump voters see her as this perfect, ideal woman,” Brower added.
As the world waits to see what Melania will wear to her husband’s second inauguration, one thing is certain: her outfit will be more than a fashion statement. It will be a reflection of her carefully curated image—a mix of elegance, strength, and independence that continues to captivate the public.
