For years, inauguration fashion has signaled the arrival of a new administration, paving the way for a new president and new policies. This year was no exception.
As the world watched President Donald Trump take the oath of office for a second time, there was no shortage of fashion headliners surrounding him.
Here are the top 10 fashion moments from the inauguration.
Second Lady Usha Vance’s pink coat dress
Second lady Usha Vance wore a powder pink Oscar de la Renta coat dress with a thin belt, paired with blush, suede, and knee-high boots. She complemented the femininity of her ensemble with large floral statement earrings and a small clutch bag.
melania trump hat
First lady Melania Trump’s hat has become a hot topic online.
The large, wide-brimmed navy hat evoked the somber feel of the previous model and sparked an Internet buzz, with people comparing the look to funeral attire. The edges of the hat were so extended that it sometimes appeared as if the eyes were completely covered. The hat also seems to have kept any attempted kiss by the president from disappearing into thin air.
Is Senator Fetterman…wearing shorts?
Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman flaunted his everyman vibe as he sat in the front row of the inauguration wearing a Carhartt hoodie, gray shorts and sneakers. The moderate Democrat is known for his calm style and stood out in a crowd of designer-wearing men, including former President Bill Clinton and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
Lauren Sanchez’s white pantsuit
Bezos’ fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, wore her own take on a white pantsuit reminiscent of Hillary Clinton’s in 2017. The 55-year-old wore a lace bustier under her jacket, prompting criticism online that it was risqué and inappropriate for an official ceremony.
The children’s author, pilot and philanthropist is known for wearing whatever she wants despite dress codes, including wearing a corset-like dress to a state dinner at the White House last year.
Arabella Kushner, future fashion icon
Arabella Rose, the 13-year-old daughter of Ivanka Trump and husband Jared Kushner, made her fashion debut alongside her mother and two siblings in a camel-colored cape coat and matching pants. Arabella fit perfectly with the older women in the family who chose monochrome. Perhaps the fashion torch has passed.
Carrie Underwood’s low-key look
Perhaps 2025 will be the year of minimalist fashion for political elites and their guests? Country music star Carrie Underwood performed “America the Beautiful” at the inauguration, but due to technical issues Because of this, the song was quickly switched to an a cappella version. She wowed the Capitol Rotunda with her performance and ensemble.
The 41-year-old American Idol winner is known for her glamorous looks and wore a light gray draped dress by Officio Modenense. She paired the subdued look with a variety of diamond rings and dangling diamond earrings.
hakeem jeffries sneakers
Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wore sneakers at Trump’s official signing ceremony, giving off enough energy to be too cool to care. He was wearing a suit and tie, but he seemed to be the only one not wearing dress shoes.
Melania, Ivanka and Tiffany Trump are subdued and monochromatic at Inauguration Day
A collar emblazoned with the symbols of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson
Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson chose to make a statement about her fashion choices on Monday, and she did.
The Democratic-appointed judge’s collar is made of cowrie shell, a tradition among judges, and she paired it with matching earrings. Vogue reports that seashells were once used as currency in African cultures, but are now seen as a symbol of resistance to slavery. Cowley is often associated with femininity and may be connected to overturning the federal abortion rights that Jackson voted to protect.
Bandages as accessories? Mirabel says so.
Mirabelle, the 2-year-old daughter of Usha and Vice President J.D. Vance, made headlines when she wore bandages on her fingers depicting popular cartoon characters Bluey and Scooby-Doo. The toddler looked adorable in a red coat, and people online praised her parents for having her bandaged.
JD Vance’s Toddler Is Adorably Her ‘Bluey’ Bandage: ‘Iconic Toddler Movements’
Jill Biden’s final message of unity
Former first lady Jill Biden welcomed Melania and Trump to the White House entrance wearing a purple outfit and a warm smile.
The former educator wore a monochromatic bold purple Ralph Lauren ensemble, which she teamed with matching gloves and high heels. The resulting purple, a mix of red and blue, could be Jill’s last call for cooperation between both parties as America braces for a hostile political environment.
