Dressing for Inauguration Day [1] is quite different than dressing for the Inaugural Ball [2], which comes later in the evening. First, the US president-elect and their partner mark the commencement of a new term with a parade and swearing-in ceremony at the US Capitol. For that, there's outerwear, being that the inauguration historically takes place in January — and our nation's past first ladies [3] have chosen some very bright outerwear at that.
We can confidently say we'll never forget when Michelle Obama [4] expertly executed her own brand of high-low fashion [5] by cinching a Thom Browne coat at the waist with a studded J.Crew belt. Jackie Kennedy toted along a muff to match the furry trim that lined her collar, and her felt coat was equipped with big, round buttons in typical '60s fashion. Both Hillary Clinton and Patricia Nixon chose bright-pink outerwear for their husbands' inaugurations, while Laura Bush seemingly paid tribute to Nancy Reagan and Rosalynn Carter — all three women wore shades of cerulean blue. The impressively bold outfit details did not end there, and they are surely, all in their own subtle ways, messages to the public that a first lady is of utmost importance throughout a presidency. Scroll through to reminisce with us.
Michelle Obama's Inauguration Day Style
For Barack Obama's first presidential inauguration in 2008, Michelle wore a custom Isabel Toledo dress and coat. Four years later, she cinched her Thom Browne coat with a J.Crew belt and purple leather gloves.
Laura Bush's Inauguration Day Style
In 2001, Laura walked proudly alongside her husband George W. Bush as he was sworn in. She chose a bright blue coat, reminiscent of the shade Rosalynn Carter had chosen for Inauguration Day. In 2005, she opted for winter whites in this embellished Oscar de la Renta coatdress.
Hillary Clinton's Inauguration Day Style
Hillary Clinton's oversize black wool coat was cinched with a printed scarf and embellished with ribbon at the sleeves in 1993. In 1997, she completed this pink coat with a brooch, dainty box bag, and taupe pumps.
Nancy Reagan's Inauguration Day Style
Nancy completed her coats with matching hats for both of her Inauguration Day outfits, but in 1985 she piled on the jewellery and even cinched her waist with a chainlink belt to match the buttons on her teal jacket.
Rosalynn Carter's Inauguration Day Style
Cerulean blue is certainly a favourite of first ladies past, with Rosalynn Carter choosing the shade in the form of a dress with a silk pussy-bow necktie in 1977. She had a matching overcoat too, which she'd wear with brown leather knee-high boots.
Pat Nixon's Inauguration Day Style
Pat Nixon's peacoat was bright pink! She finished the look with a furry hat and stole in 1969.
Lady Bird Johnson's Inauguration Day Style
Claudia Johnson, often called Lady Bird, wore this red felt coat with a matching hat. It had a velvet tie-sash at the collar and she wore it with a chainlink purse, leather gloves, and pumps in 1964.
Jackie Kennedy's Inauguration Day Style
Jackie Kennedy's fashion forward sensibility led her to this collarless coat with round, retro buttons. She wore white gloves, pearl earrings, and a furry muff in 1961.
Eleanor Roosevelt's Inauguration Day Style
First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt had the pleasure of dressing for three inaugurations. Here she is during a fitting in 1941 wearing a vermilion wool dress that she finished with a bird's feather hat.