On Monday, January 20, 2025 Donald Trump took the oath of office to become the 47th President of the United States. As dictated by the 20th amendment of the US Constitution, the presidential inauguration always takes place on January 20, no matter what day of the week it is—or if it coincides with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, as it does this year.
The 2025 presidential inauguration drew a mixture of politicians in Washington, D.C. to witness the transition of power, and hopefully, unite both sides of the aisle. While politicians are not necessarily a famously fashionable group, it’s always important (and interesting) to take a look at what the women are wearing, as they often use their inauguration looks to telegraph a message. (For example: Many choose to wear American designers, or wear specific colours like purple, which has long represented bipartisanship)
As expected some of the most influential women in the United States dressed symbolically for the occasion. Here’s a look at the sartorial statements at Trump’s second inauguration made by the incoming First Lady Melania Trump, the outgoing First Lady Jill Biden, the incoming Second Lady Usha Vance, the outgoing Vice President Kamala Harris and former First Lady/Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. (Notably former First Lady Michelle Obama did not attended.)
Melania Trump
Melania Trump’s style is back in the spotlight with the election of her husband, Donald Trump. The incoming First Lady was dressed in a navy blue outfit with matching pumps and a hat for the presidential inauguration at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Monday. American designer Adam Lippes designed Trump’s ensemble, which consisted of a navy silk wool coat, a navy silk wool pencil skirt and an ivory silk crepe blouse.
The coordinating navy and ivory hat was courtesy of Eric Javits.
The American-made outfit was a change of pace for Trump, who routinely wears European designers.
“The tradition of the presidential inauguration embodies the beauty of American democracy and today we had the honor to dress our first lady, Mrs. Melania Trump. Mrs. Trump’s outfit was created by some of America’s finest craftsmen and I take great pride in showing such work to the world,” Lippes said in a press release.
Jill Biden
First Lady Jill Biden’s outfit for President-elect Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration was an obvious nod to bipartisan unity. Joining her husband, President Joe Biden, to welcome the incoming administration, Dr. Biden opted for a monochromatic Ralph Lauren ensemble in a bold purple shade. The colour purple has long represented bipartisanship in American politics: the literal mix of red, for the Republican party, and blue, for the Democratic party.
Dr. Biden’s look included a dress and tailored double-breasted coat cinched at the waist, matching gloves and pointed-toe pumps. The outgoing First Lady consistently championed American designers throughout her time in the public eye.
Interestingly, at the inauguration of President Joe Biden in 2021, Kamala Harris, Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton all donned different shades of purple, making a sartorial statement on America coming together and uniting both sides of the aisle.
Usha Vance
Usha Vance, the wife of Vice President JD Vance, opted to wear bubblegum pink ensemble for Inauguration Day. Vance paired the colourful coat, which featured a belt in the same colour, with a matching scarf, tan gloves, and a pair of Manolo Blahnik Lina Boots.
Vance, will be the first Indian American to be second lady, and her colour choice may have special meaning, as this shade of pink is often associated with charm and beauty in India.
Kamala Harris
Outgoing Vice President Kamala Harris chose to wear a tailored, double-breasted black coat with sharp lapels and a classic silhouette while supporting an orderly transfer of power next to husband Douglas Emhoff. Harris paired the tailored black coat with black trousers, pointed-toe heels, a black-and-white striped scarf, and black leather gloves.
Throughout her tenure as Vice President and during her own presidential campaign, Harris consistently embraced statement power suits, a wardrobe choice that became synonymous with her political image and professionalism.
Hillary Clinton
Hillary Clinton has long been recognized for dressing symbolically throughout her political career. For Trump’s inauguration the former First Lady and Secretary of State opted to wear a Stella McCartney coat.
