A Look Back at First Ladies' Inauguration Day Outfits Over the Years

Mar. 15, 2025

Melania Trump, Jill Biden and Michelle Obama.Photo:AP Photo/Matt Rourke; BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty; SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty

Melania Trump, Jill Biden, Michelle Obama, Inauguration, First Lady Style Through the Years

AP Photo/Matt Rourke; BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty; SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty

While many eyes are on the incoming commander-in-chief throughout each Inauguration Day, the first lady plays a significant part in the presidential transition events and the lasting legacy of the first family.That’s why, every four years, so much significance is placed on the tone that the first lady sets with her dress for the inauguration ceremony and her gown at the evening’s inaugural balls, which are often added to the Smithsonian’sFirst Ladies Collectionthat includes more than two dozen looks from years past.FromNancy Reagan’s disco-chic inaugural ball looks toMelania Trump’s most recent wide-brimmed hat, look back at more than 40 years worth of inauguration day looks.

While many eyes are on the incoming commander-in-chief throughout each Inauguration Day, the first lady plays a significant part in the presidential transition events and the lasting legacy of the first family.

That’s why, every four years, so much significance is placed on the tone that the first lady sets with her dress for the inauguration ceremony and her gown at the evening’s inaugural balls, which are often added to the Smithsonian’sFirst Ladies Collectionthat includes more than two dozen looks from years past.

FromNancy Reagan’s disco-chic inaugural ball looks toMelania Trump’s most recent wide-brimmed hat, look back at more than 40 years worth of inauguration day looks.

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Melania Trump, 2025

RON SACHS/POOL/AFP via Getty; JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty

US First Lady Melania Trump inauguration

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Dr. Jill Biden, 2021

Chip Somodevilla/Getty (2)

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden wave while standing at the North Portico of The White House after Biden’s inauguration on January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC. Biden became the 46th president of the United States earlier today during the ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images); WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden watch a fireworks show on the National Mall from the Truman Balcony at the White House January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC. Biden became the 46th president of the United States earlier today during the ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Melania Trump, 2017

Kevin Dietsch - Pool/Getty (2)

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: First lady Melania Trump waves to supporters in the inaugural parade on January 20, 2017 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump was sworn-in as the 45th President of the United States. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch - Pool/Getty Images); WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrive at the Freedom Ball on January 20, 2017 in Washington, D.C. Trump will attend a series of balls to cap his Inauguration day. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch - Pool/Getty Images)

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Michelle Obama, 2013

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 21: First lady Michelle Obama arrives during the presidential inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. Barack Obama was re-elected for a second term as President of the United States. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images); US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama attend the Commander-in-Chief’s Ball, honoring US service members and their families, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images)

AtBarack Obama’s second inauguration,Michelle Obamawore a tailored Thom Browne coat dress with black boots and purple gloves. At night, she switched into a custom Jason Wu gown in a vibrant red hue.

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Michelle Obama, 2009

Doug Mills-Pool/Getty; SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 20: U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama wave as they walk in the inaugural parade following his inauguration as the 44th President of the United States of America on January 20, 2009 in Washington, D.C. Obama is the first African-American to be elected to the office of President in the history of the U.S. (Photo by Doug Mills-Pool/Getty Images); First Lady Michelle Obama during the Midatlantic Regional Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, January 20, 2009. Obama was sworn in as the 44th US president earlier in the day. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

06of 12Laura Bush, 2005DOUG MILLS/POOL/AFP/Getty; Chip Somodevilla/MCT/Tribune News Service/GettyOscar de la Renta did double duty for Laura Bush in 2005, designing a winter white cashmere coat and dress for the daytime and a shimmering silver and blue tulle gown for the evening events.

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Laura Bush, 2005

DOUG MILLS/POOL/AFP/Getty; Chip Somodevilla/MCT/Tribune News Service/Getty

US Presidential George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush wave to the crowd during the Inaugural Parade along Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO/POOL/Doug MILLS/bp/dec (Photo by DOUG MILLS / POOL / AFP) (Photo by DOUG MILLS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images); KRT US NEWS STORY SLUGGED: INAUGURATION KRT PHOTOGRAPH BY CHIP SOMODEVILLA/KRT (January 20) WASHINGTON, D.C. – President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush wave to the crowd at the Texas and Wyoming Inaugural Ball on Thursday, January 20, 2005, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/MCT/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

Oscar de la Renta did double duty for Laura Bush in 2005, designing a winter white cashmere coat and dress for the daytime and a shimmering silver and blue tulle gown for the evening events.

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Laura Bush, 2001

David McNew/Newsmakers; Joe Raedle/Newsmakers

384547 02: United States President George W. Bush, 2nd left, First Lady Laura Bush, left, and former President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton pause while exiting the Capitol building following the presidential inauguration ceremony January 20, 2001 in Washington, DC. (Photo by David McNew/Newsmakers); 384555 01: First Lady Laura Bush attends the Texas, Wyoming Inaugural Ball January 20, 2001 in Washington DC. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Newsmakers)

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Hillary Clinton, 1997

UNITED STATES - NOVEMBER 21: Walt Disney Television via Getty Images NEWS - PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION - 1993 “Gallery” Chelsea Clinton, Hillary Clinton (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images); (Original Caption) Hillary at one of the balls celebrating the Presidential Inauguration. (Photo by © Wally McNamee/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)

As with Laura Bush after her, Hillary Clinton tapped Oscar de la Renta for her 1997 looks: a bubblegum pink swing coat for day and a sparkling, form-fitting turtleneck gown for night.

09of 12Hillary Clinton, 1993Ed Reinke/AP/Shutterstock; DAVID AKE/AFP/GettyLittle Rock-based designer Sarah Phillips created both of Clinton’s inaugural looks, which began with a blue suit (and Darcy Creech hat) and ended with a beaded violet evening gown made with costume creator Barbara Matera Ltd.

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Hillary Clinton, 1993

Ed Reinke/AP/Shutterstock; DAVID AKE/AFP/Getty

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ed Reinke/AP/Shutterstock (6001393a) Tipper Gore, wife of Vice President Gore, left, Chelsea Clinton, daughter of President Clinton, center, and Hillary Clinton, wife of the president, look on during the inaugural ceremony on Capitol Hill Wednesday Clinton Inauguration 1993, Washington, USA; US President Bill Clinton (l) in a picture taken 20 January 1993 in Washington, DC, holds First Lady Hillary Clinton during an on stage dance as they stopped by the Arkansas inaugural ball. (Photo by J. DAVID AKE / AFP) (Photo by J. DAVID AKE/AFP via Getty Images)

Little Rock-based designer Sarah Phillips created both of Clinton’s inaugural looks, which began with a blue suit (and Darcy Creech hat) and ended with a beaded violet evening gown made with costume creator Barbara Matera Ltd.

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Barbara Bush, 1989

Barbara Bush.JONATHAN UTZ/AFP via Getty; CORBIS/Corbis via Gett

Barbara Bush, George Bush, Inauguration, First Lady Style Through the Years

JONATHAN UTZ/AFP via Getty; CORBIS/Corbis via Gett

11of 12Nancy Reagan, 1985Nancy Reagan. Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan.Bettmann; Diana Walker/GettyIn 1985 (which was the last time the inauguration ceremony was held indoors), Nancy Reagan wore a blue Adolfo outfit accessorized with gold jewelry and later wore a shimmering Galanos gown for the ball.

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Nancy Reagan, 1985

Nancy Reagan. Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan.Bettmann; Diana Walker/Getty

Nancy Reagan, Ronald Reagan, Inauguration, First Lady Style Through the Years

Bettmann; Diana Walker/Getty

In 1985 (which was the last time the inauguration ceremony was held indoors), Nancy Reagan wore a blue Adolfo outfit accessorized with gold jewelry and later wore a shimmering Galanos gown for the ball.

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Nancy Reagan, 1981

Nancy Reagan. Nancy Reagan and Ronald Reagan.ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Dirck Halstead/Getty

Nancy Reagan, Ronald Reagan, Inauguration, First Lady Style Through the Years

ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Dirck Halstead/Getty

source: people.com

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