The First Ladies of the United States have long been scrutinized by the rest of the country, particularly when it comes to the clothes they choose to wear. Take a look back at First Lady fashion over the years, including some of the most stunning dresses and the designers that created them. Who said fashion and politics couldn’t coexist? The title of First Lady of the United States of America has traditionally been an honored one. Each of the ladies who have taken on the job has shown great attention to detail. This includes, of course, their fashion choices.
Mamie Doud Eisenhower
Mamie Eisenhower met her future husband, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, in San Antonio, Texas. Dwight was a military guy, and the two traveled a lot before Dwight campaigned for president and won by a landslide. Mamie, unlike previous first ladies, adored fashion! She also enjoyed acting as a hostess. Scaasi, Mollie Parnis, Trifari, and Sally Victor created some of her clothes. She was regarded as one of the era’s “best-dressed” ladies. There was even a whole “fashion style” named after her – “The Mamie look,” which Dior believed to be influenced.
The Mamie Look
In 1953, she wore an inauguration gown created by Nettie Rosenstein. The pink peau de soie gown was stunning. It was hand-embroidered with over 2,000 rhinestones. Mamie is accessorized with Trifari gloves and jewelry, a Judith Leiber beaded handbag, and Delman shoes. The dress is still on exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History’s collection of inaugural dresses, and it is one of the most popular. Mamie’s inauguration gown made that specific hue of pink extremely fashionable.
Jackie Kennedy
When she met JFK, he was already a congressman, and the two were regarded as the stylish couple in the White House. When JFK took office in 1960, the country was already becoming focused on television and film culture. Jackie became one of the first First Ladies whose appearance was scrutinized. Her fashion selections were a big success, and she quickly rose to prominence as a significant worldwide trendsetter. She collaborated with one major designer, the now-famous Oleg Cassini.
Jackie’s Fashion
Jackie was cautious about her media presence; she even got a press secretary. She had control over everything. She was “the perfect lady,” and the Kennedy family was seen as ideal – a sort of American royalty. She established an unreasonable media expectation for first ladies. Ethan Frankou designed an off-white sleeveless silk chiffon gown embellished with silver thread and a cape for the inauguration. Jackie was aware that the event would be broadcast, so she chose a color that would stand out. Of course, the gown was a smash!
Last-Minute Wedding Gown Of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy
Jackie Bouvier asked Anne Lowe to create her wedding dress, but tragedy struck. Ten days before the wedding, a water pipe collapsed, flooding Lowe’s studio on Madison Avenue. The clothes damaged included Jackie’s gown, which had taken two months to make. To buy new white French taffeta and pink silk faille, Lowe purchased on the fly. Her crew of seamstresses was able to get everything done in time. Historically, this gown is one of the most recognizable bridal dresses.
Betty Ford’s Style
Many people neglect the style of the First Ladies but instead focus on their outside activities. The Betty Ford Center founder, one of the most prominent clinics in history, was a feminist. She should also earn credit for her style. She drew motivation from her beauty. Her fashion was basic but not overly sophisticated, making it easy for anybody to choose a combination of clothes to wear.
No White Dress For Betty On Her Second Wedding
Betty Bloomer married Gerald R. Ford at the Grace Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids, MI, in 1948. Other brides wore white on their wedding days, but not her. Her sparkling outfit and matching heels really complimented her. Betty was previously married. Her first husband, Bill Warren, was an alcoholic. They eventually divorced in 1947. After meeting Ford, they put off their wedding while he ran for Congress. Jerry was running for Congress and was concerned about how constituents may feel about marrying a divorced ex-dancer.
Nancy Reagan Covered Her Baby Bump With Her Wedding Gown
Actress Nancy Davis dated several celebs before she met Ronald while he was president of the Screen Actors Guild in 1949. Ronald was not a huge fan of marriage, especially after his divorce from Jane Wyman. After three years of courtship, he and Nancy married in 1952. The wedding was held at the last minute to avoid the press, with only the best man and matron of honor in attendance. Nancy was pregnant at the time of the ceremony in Los Angeles’ Little Brown Church. She donned a straightforward, no-frills gown.
Nancy Reagan
Ronald did not shy away from the lavish celebrations. His inaugural festivities were said to be expensive. The country was in the middle of a recession, so this drew some public criticism. Nancy donned a white beaded one-shoulder silk satin gown with a lace overlay to her first inaugural ball. After Reagan was re-elected for a second term, Nancy wore the designer Galanos gown. The designer and her team allegedly spent over 300 hours hand-beading the garment. The gown is estimated to cost $46,000!
Laura Bush
Laura donned a red-crystal embellished gown made by a Texas designer for her first inauguration, similar to Hillary’s predecessor. She also wore pearls to honor her mother-in-law, former First Lady Barbara Bush. After Bush was re-elected for a second term, the country was in a very different post-September 11th phase. Laura followed Hillary’s lead and donned Oscar De La Renta. She looked stunning in an embroidered icy blue and silver tulle gown studded with Austrian crystals. Clearly, fashion knows no political boundaries.
Laura Chose Simple
Less is more. This was Laura Bush’s attitude toward her clothing. Sure, she could have been the belle of the ball every time she walked into a room, but she didn’t. After saying that Melania Trump got it right at the inauguration, Dallas fashion designer commented about Bush. “What I loved about Mrs. Bush was that she was always extremely conscious of not wanting her clothing to shout loudly,” Faircloth remarked. “She had a lot of things she thought were more important.”
Laura’s Tan Wedding Dress
In her childhood church, Laura Lane Welch married George Bush on November 5, 1977, in Midland, Texas. The newlyweds posed with the future president’s parents. Laura, unlike her mother-in-law, did not choose a conventional, extravagant wedding gown. Instead, she attended the event in a plain brown dress she purchased off the rack. She met George at a backyard barbeque in July, and three months later, they were engaged. He served as Governor of Texas from 1995 to 2000 before being elected President of the United States in 2001.
Jill Biden
Jill Biden shined in a bright red gown during the Midwest Inaugural Ball in 2009. Biden looked stunning in her Reem Acra evening gown, which reflected her unique flair of bright hues. The sleeveless piece, which is cinched at the waist, looks stunning on the current First Lady. She also made a daring choice, wearing only a single bracelet on her right arm and earrings, leaving her neck free of jewelry. In any case, she looks beautiful.
Lady Bird Johnson
LBJ assumed office in the aftermath of President Kennedy’s killing. That’s why the inaugural event was not joyous. Lady Bird was dressed in a yellow gown because she wanted it to represent hope and optimism for a nation. She was highly active in the White House. She championed many of her own causes, including the Head Start program, which assists children from low-income families receive a solid education. Lady Bird adored beauty, but her main focus was not on fashion, and she preferred to direct her attention elsewhere.
Pat Nixon
When President Nixon assumed office, there were widespread protests and a social movement fueled by opposition to the Vietnam War and the killing of Martin Luther King. Nixon promised to restore “law and order” in the United States, and his own staff confessed that they attempted to criminalize both the civil rights movement and anti-war protestors. Needless to say, none of this ended well for Nixon. Pat also opted to wear a yellow gown at the inauguration. It was embellished with gold and silver embroidery and Austrian crystals.
Rosalynn Carter
The United States was not doing well economically at the inauguration, so President Jimmy Carter chose to throw what they dubbed “people’s inaugural celebrations,” and sold tickets for only $25. Rosalynn reused a gown she had previously worn while President Carter was governor. She’s stunning in a sleeveless blue chiffon gown with gold accents. While she was seeking to make a public statement that the president would not be lavishing himself in riches while the rest of the country suffered, the decision did not go down well.
Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt is one of the most renowned first ladies of all time. While President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was in power, she was also among the first to become highly public about her beliefs, feminism, and other civil rights concerns. Eleanor was not especially fond of or interested in fashion since her interests obviously lay elsewhere. However, she caused quite a sensation when she grew a stunning slate-blue crepe, eventually named after her: “Eleanor blue.” Sally Milgrim created it, and it had a gold leaf and floral motif.
Helen Taft
When she was 18, she met her husband Howard Taft while bobsledding. After meeting and dating in 1860, they married many years later. Since childhood, she has chosen the name Nellie over Helen. She supported her husband at every stage of his political career. She was the first First Lady to ride in the inaugural procession with her husband. She was dressed in a stunning white chiffon gown with gold embroidery.
Edith Bolling Wilson
Edith Wilson met and married President Woodrow Wilson after he was already in office, so she never had the opportunity to wear an inaugural gown. Edith’s life had been marred by tragedy since she left a widow at an early age by her first husband. She had also given birth to a son, who died a few days later. Regrettably, she was no longer able to bear children. She met Woodrow in 1915. Soon after, he became a widower as well.
Florence Kling Harding
Florence Kling Harding was referred to as “the business’s brains.” She was also vocal about political matters, often even more so than the President himself. She hosted many beautiful parties and was also extremely fashionable at the time, wearing the new silk neckbands that she used to conceal her wrinkles. She also participated in other “modern” activities such as taking aircraft rides, presenting movies after dinner, and reportedly serving alcohol to visitors during Prohibition. She was the first First Lady to be granted the right to vote and the first to possess a movie camera, a radio, and to welcome famous film actors to the White House.
Grace Anna Goodhue Coolidge
Grace Goodhue met Calvin Coolidge, a smooth-talking attorney, and soon became engaged to him. Her mother protested, and even though Calvin and his mother-in-law never reconciled, Grace and Calvin stayed married for the remainder of their lives. Calvin wanted everything to be dignified and unaffected; thus, all White House engagements were conducted in this manner at the time. Calvin’s second inauguration was devoid of a large public show, instead opting for private soirees. So Grace didn’t have a beautiful ballgown to speak of, but she was definitely dressed in the manner of the period on inauguration day.
Lou Henry Hoover
When Herbert Hoover met her at Stanford University, she was the only female Geology major. Lou Hoover is one of the “best dressed women.” She was the first First Lady to be featured in Vogue magazine. She also made it a point to wear American-made clothing rather than anything imported from abroad, as many fashionistas did at the time. She also utilized her fashion to promote the cotton textile sector, so she wears gowns made of cotton. Her debut outfit was a majestic yet modest silk crepe evening gown embellished with silver thread brocade.
Jill Biden and Karen Pence, Two Second Ladies Together
Before the 2017 Presidential Inauguration, then-Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden met then-Vice President-elect Mike Pence and his wife, Karen Pence, at the White House, where both ladies dazzled. Pence wore a more modest flowery gown with a black coat, while Biden ventured to wear a flash of bright pink to commemorate the occasion. Her shift dress with neutral shoes is both beautiful and approachable.
Elizabeth Wallace Truman
This First Lady was uninterested in politics or the political arena. Despite her reservations, she played the dutiful wife and hostess. When her husband first entered office, it was after FDR’s death, and the nation was in the middle of World War II, so it was not exactly a carefree, joyful period. Madame Pola is said to have created her outfit for the first event. She selected a black gown with white accents and a fur cloak to go with it.
Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama made a statement with her beautiful dress during the presidential inauguration ceremony in 2021. The former First Lady’s outfit, which included a merlot-colored suit from head to toe, immediately became an Instagram phenomenon. Sergio Hudson created her burgundy sweater, coat, and jumpsuit, which she fastened with a dramatic golden belt. This was not Mrs. Obama’s first time wearing clothes created by Hudson, who has previously worked with Rihanna and Beyoncé.
Barbara Bush
Her husband had previously served as Reagan’s Vice President, so she was already familiar with the White House manner of doing things. Her inauguration gown was intended to make her seem younger. She was dressed in a royal blue velvet and satin Arnold Scassi. Scassi had been designing for the first ladies for many years, dating back to Mamie Eisenhower. Thus this may have been an intentional decision by Barbara to indicate that she and her husband were unmistakably conventional. She also selected pearls over diamonds as her jewelry. Barbara was named America’s “most gorgeous grandma” in turn.
Ida Saxton McKinley
Historians who examine previous presidents and their first wives have similar feelings about Ida Saxton McKinley. Many people believe that she had a distinct fashion sense and a distinct sense of style. It was just unmistakable. She had even signed her own name. Her trademark look was a standing collar with a chiffon inlay. Furthermore, it was often trimmed with pintucks to soften and accent the ensemble. She stayed fashionable by wearing pleated ruffles with her underskirts. She was a lady of distinction.
Melania Trump
Melania Trump is the former First Lady and Donald Trump’s wife. Melania was a model before she met her husband. As a former model, Melania obviously enjoys fashion and is well-versed in style. Her inauguration gown, on the other hand, was beautiful but modest. The First Lady gave her inaugural ball gown to the Smithsonian Institute in late 2017, where it will be on permanent display.
Frances Folsom Cleveland Preston
Frances Folsom Cleveland Preston was known to be a trailblazer of her day. She had featured on the covers of Leslie’s and Harper’s, both major magazines at the time, which catapulted her into the trendsetter discussion. Even during her wedding, the Washington Post lauded her. According to the Washington Post, “the bride wore a beautiful white gown of ivory satin, tastefully adorned on the high corsage with India muslin crossed in Grecian folds and draped in gorgeous falls of simplicity over the petticoat.”
Caroline Harrison
Caroline Harrison was a style icon. She received acclaim from the press and added flair to her elegance as the first lady. Furthermore, the Inaugural Ball was the first opportunity for the first women to make comments in their new role; therefore, they did so many times. Some of the comments were subtly worded, while others were not. She had an acorn embroidered into the pattern on the back of her dress for Harrison. It represented her home state of Indiana. She made it large, but she never forgot her roots. The incoming first lady was dubbed “a reasonable model for American women” by the Philadelphia Times.
Ellen Arthur
Ellen Arthur’s fashion was not emphasized in this instance. Because the times were different during President Arthur’s reign, there was less focus on the first lady; thus, President Arthur became the main point of the fashion in the relationship. And, not to brag, there was a solid reason for this: he had style. In reality, the president’s fashionable attire has always piqued the public’s and media’s interest. Ellen’s fashion sense seemed to be non-existent. Who knows, maybe she loved it that way, to begin with.
Pat Nixon Introduced Some Trends
Even though her husband had a lot on his plate during her tenure as the first lady, it would be impolite to overlook Pat Nixon’s modest fashion trends. Consider Nixon as the person in school who would blend in, but if she kept up with the Joneses, she would demand a compliment without even asking. She is wearing a short skirt (on the right) that was fashionable at the time, as shown in the picture above. As previously said, she did not frequently mirror contemporary fashion trends, but when she did, she did it well.
Martha Dandridge Custis Washington
As the nation’s first lady, you can anticipate her and her husband, George Washington, to face many difficulties. She had a soft attitude, which may not have calmed the people, but she had established the tone by the conclusion of her presidency. Her fashion sense was one thing she got down. She had her choice of crop when it came to clothing since she was one of the wealthiest ladies in the period. Mount Vernon showed her royal purple silk wedding shoes in 2009, which changed people’s perceptions of her from matronly to somewhat adventurous.
Lady Washington’s Fashion
Lady Washington’s purple silk wedding shoes prompted high-profile fashion figures to link them to modern-day fashion icons. “They were the Manolo Blahniks of her day,” Patricia Brady told the Washington Post. She had the money, so it was only natural for her to be parading about in the highest echelon of fashion. Martha Washington wore fancy clothing all the time. A bolt of her fabric is now worth about $25,000. Historians believe she was making comments on the nature of the country at the time. Her outfit is on display at the National Museum of American History.
Dolley Payne Todd Madison
She established a standard for all subsequent first ladies to follow. She was the epitome of friendliness, with a warm and welcoming demeanor. The fourth president was fortunate to have her at his side. She wasn’t officially educated, but she had her wits about her. She captured many people’s hearts with her charisma, but her style left them speechless. She set the tone for James Madison’s inauguration in 1809 by wearing a buff-colored velvet gown. It was embellished with pearls and a feather-accented turban.
Julia Gardiner Tyler
John Tyler tried to court her many times, but with no success. An explosion on the USS Princeton resulted in her father’s death, and after that, she turned to John for comfort, and later that year, they were married. Tyler was considered the first woman in the White House to be the equivalent of a celebrity. Departments stores would pay to have her in ads, and that brought in more customers. She was also known as a fashionista and a social maven because she would garner newspaper coverage. At one event, she wore a long-trained gown with a peacock-feathered headdress.
Harriet Lane
She earned the name “Democratic Queen,” and she is overjoyed to be the acting first lady. And she inspired many people with her look from the beginning. Isn’t it true that everyone enjoys anything scandalous? Her inaugural gown was just that. It was a low-cut European-style gown with a flower garland going down her breast and diagonally over her hips. People fell in love with the outfit the moment they saw it. Mary Todd Lincoln even replicated it four years later.
Mary Todd Lincoln
Have you ever known someone who grew up in affluence? Mary Todd Lincoln was that, which meant she was well prepared to be a proper first lady, which she was. While her husband dealt with the world’s ills, like slavery, she ensured that the White House was maintained in order. In terms of dress, we previously stated that she emulated Harriet Lane, who was herself fashionable, so there was no criticism there. The majority of her gowns were eye-catching and could cost up to $2,000.
Skin Care
A skin-care routine is something that a handful of the first women, particularly the stunning Jacqueline Kennedy, would do. Women nowadays earn a career by creating YouTube videos on how to care for their skin. Millions of people watch random ladies describe the finest combinations for making their skin shine. We all know that Kennedy became an icon for beauty and elegance, but what she did to maintain that image is what we’re interested in. She was like an athlete who took her skin-care regimen seriously and put in hours outside of practice. Mud soap was her go-to.
A Hairstylist Is Required
Most people would agree that it is hard to find someone who understands how to do hair, and more importantly, your hair! Once you’ve found that person, you’ll never want anybody else to touch your head again for the rest of your life. Your hair is often the focal element of your look. It energizes the audience! Nancy Reagan is seen above. She had many hairstylists. They were all in some of America’s most populous cities for a purpose, we’re sure. One was in Los Angeles, one in New York, and one in Washington, DC. She would spend a lot of money to keep this up, but her style would never go out of style.
Change Isn’t Something To Be Afraid Of
We are all aware that change is an inevitable aspect of life. It’s something we can’t escape, and the longer we try, the more difficult things get. While some people are set in their ways, others change all the time, and it doesn’t take much for them to alter things up. The former was Mamie Eisenhower. She may have been a trailblazer, but her hair had to give! For 50 years, she wore her bangs in a specific way. As previously said, your hairstyle frequently sets the tone for your whole style. Thus wearing the same hairdo for so long may be uninviting. If you just remember one thing from her, it’s to alter your hair.
The Wedding Gown of Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt, President Theodore Roosevelt’s brother’s daughter, married Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the president’s fifth cousin, in 1905. They met for the first time when she was 14, and he was 18. They reunited four years later at a horse show at Madison Square Garden after losing contact. Roosevelts from both sides of the family attended the occasion. F.D.R. proposed to Eleanor when he was 22 years old, and she was 19 years old. It was fairly unusual for Roosevelt and Roosevelt to marry. Her gown featured a high neck and voluminous fabric shoulders, and she wore an exquisite cap.
Barbara Bush Wore Her Mother-In-Law’s Veil
In 1941, George H.W. Bush met his future wife, Barbara Pierce, while they were both adolescents. In documentary 41, the former president discussed their first encounter. He said, “It was a Christmas holiday dance, and she was dressed in this red and green gown. ‘Who is this good-looking, gorgeous girl over there?’ I asked. ‘That’s Barbara Pierce from Rye, New York.’ So we were introduced by a man called Wozencraft. And the rest, as they say, is history.” The pair married in 1945 at Rye’s First Presbyterian Church. Barbara wore the same bridal veil that George’s mother wore during her own wedding.
Jackie’s Oversized Sunglasses
Sunglasses were a favorite accessory of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. She kept several pairs of items in a large bowl at her front entrance, so all she had to do before leaving for the day was choosing one. The fashion queen was renowned for her enormous sunglasses, and the look grew so popular that it was dubbed the “Jackie O” style. Jackie’s favorites were the Nina Ricci 3203, which were large square-shaped sunglasses with a brown and tan plastic frame. The Spa 2 was a big oval-shaped chair with a black plastic frame.
Rosalynn Carter’s Wedding Gown Brought Her 70 Years Of Good Fortune
Rosalynn Carter was just a teenager when she married Jimmy Carter, who would become the 39th President of the United States. They married on July 7, 1946, in Plains, Georgia, where they both grew up when she was 18, and he was 21. Rosalynn first rejected Jimmy’s proposal. However, she changed her mind when he graduated from a wartime course at the United States Naval Academy. Rosalynn wore a knee-length gown with gloves, a hat, and a corsage, while the groom wore his Navy uniform. In 2016, the couple celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.
Young Bride Mamie Eisenhower
On July 1, 1916, at the age of 19, Mamie Geneva Doud married future President Dwight Eisenhower. Miss Wolcott’s finishing school had recently graduated her. Dwight was a 25-year-old Army lieutenant. They married in Denver, Colorado, at Mamie’s parents’ house, then honeymooned at a neighboring resort. As newlyweds, the pair had an eventful start, moving across the globe to suit Dwight’s numerous postings. They went all over the world, from the Philippines to Panama. Mamie spent a lot of time entertaining foreign leaders who liked her elegance and fashion when “Ike” was elected president.
Bess Truman’s Hats
On June 28, 1919, in Independence, Missouri, Elizabeth Virginia “Bess” Wallace married future President Harry Truman. When she was little, she was characterized as a tomboy. However, as she grew into a young lady, she developed an interest in fashion, especially hats. “Bess always had more fashionable hats than the rest of us, or she wore them with greater elegance,” one acquaintance remarked of Bess. Harry proposed to Bess in 1911, before he went for World War I. She declined. He resolved to work hard before proposing again. At their wedding, she donned a beautiful brimmed hat.
The Dark Wedding Gown of Lou Henry Hoover
Lou Henry was an enthralling lady. She loved camping with her father and was an accomplished taxidermist. She was fascinated with rocks and minerals. She graduated from Stanford University with a B.A. in Geology, where she met future President Herbert Hoover. She spoke Chinese fluently and was the only First Lady to do so. In February 1899, she married Herbert at her parents’ house in Monterey, California. She, like the groom, chose to become a Quaker, but they were married by a Roman Catholic priest. The bride chose a dark-colored gown rather than a conventional white gown.
Lucy Hayes’ Wedding Gown
Lucy Ware Webb was 21 years old when she married Rutherford Richard Hayes on December 30, 1852, in Cincinnati, Ohio, at her family’s house. Lucy had many admirers before settling down with Rutherford. Rutherford’s mother desired that her son marry Lucy because she appreciated the young woman’s moral qualities and religious upbringing. In his journal in 1851, Rutherford wrote, “I suppose I am a great deal in love with L(ucy)….Her low sweet voice…her soft rich eyes.” He also referred to her as a “real lady.” The couple had eight children and dressed in black on their wedding day.