Melania Trump Covers Eyes with Wide-Brimmed Hat to Accompany American-Made Inauguration Dress

Mar. 15, 2025

Donald and Melania Trump leave a morning service at St. John’s Church before the inauguration.Photo:Scott Olson/Getty

Scott Olson/Getty

Incoming first ladyMelania Trumpemerged on Monday, Jan. 20, in an unusual inaugural outfit, covering part of her face with a wide-brimmed hat.

For her husbandDonald Trump’s second inauguration, Melania stepped out in a dark coat and skirt from New York designer Adam Lippes that was accessorized with a large hat. In photos withJoeandJill Bidenbefore the swearing-in ceremony, Melania’s eyes were covered and her expression somber, while Donald and the Bidens smiled for cameras.

The last first lady to wear a hat to the daytime inauguration events wasHillary Clintonin 1993, who wore a blue velvet bowler hat that did not obstruct her face.

The Bidens and Trumps pose for photos at the White House before the 2025 inauguration ceremony.JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty

JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty

Melania, a former model who is distinguished as the second foreign-born first lady, previously donated her 2017 inaugural ball gown to the Smithsonian collection.

Melania Trump speaks beside her 2017 inaugural ball gown as she donates it to the Smithsonian’s First Ladies Collection.SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty

SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty

In recent years, the collection also addedDr. Jill Biden’s 2021 inaugural looks — a blue outfit and white outfit, both fitted with matching face masks — and former first ladyMichelle Obama’s white gown from husbandBarack Obama’s first inauguration in 2009.

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Historically,first ladies' outfitshave carried intentional symbolism.

Theblue of Dr. Biden’s Inauguration Day outfitin 2021 “was chosen to signify trust, confidence, and stability,” explained Alexandria O’Neill, designer and founder of Markarian, the label which created the inaugural look. The theme fit the moment: The Bidens moved into the White House in the midst of extreme political division, while the COVID-19 pandemic continued to disrupt daily life and Americans needed assurance.

Vice PresidentKamala Harris, though not a first lady, used her 2021 inaugural outfit to acknowledge her historic role asthe first woman, the first Black person and first person of Asian descentto hold the office.

Harris wore a royal purple coat and matching dress from Brooklyn-basedChristopher John Rogers, a nod to former New York Rep.Shirley Chisholmwho inspired Harris' career, and pearls to honor her Howard University sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha.

source: people.com