Melania’s Look That Could Kill
By Bethany Miller
Melania Trump returned to the White House with fashion statements as sharp as her stilettos. The first First Lady since Frances Cleveland to serve non-consecutive terms reclaimed her rightful place in history with a lookbook that spoke louder than any inaugural speech. Draped in a tailored navy wool coat by Adam Lippes and crowned with an Eric Javits boat hat, Melania exuded conviction and effortless precision.
All-American craftsmanship, Melania’s Inauguration Day ensemble featured a double-breasted navy silk-wool coat with impeccable tailoring, blending structure with elegance, while the crepe silk blouse added clean, minimalist lines. Paired with a matching silk pencil skirt, the look balanced power and refinement with a touch of femininity––Melania’s signature style.
Lippes’ meticulous attention to detail was evident in every element, from the luxurious texture of the fabrics to the precision of the stitching.
“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,” Lippes stated in a press release. “Mrs. Trump’s outfit was created by some of America’s finest craftsmen, and I take great pride in showcasing their exceptional work to the world.”
Adding a striking accent to the look was Javits’ wide-brimmed “revenge hat,” as National Review aptly named it. Navy to perfectly complement her tailored coat, the hat featured a cream ribbon that provided a striking contrast, while its bold brim created a commanding and elegant silhouette over her slavic bone structure. Melania completed the look with black leather gloves and navy blue Manolo Blahnik suede pumps.
“When I was creating the hat in my hands, it was a simple hat. It was understated, it was classic,” Javits reflected. “When I saw it on her head, it really transformed. The experience became very powerful. Because everything worked together. And of course, you know that speaks to her grace and her presence, so it was very, very strong. The visual impact is very strong of seeing her.”
Javits further remarked on the significance of the look: “It’s a time of some restraint, and it’s really sort of a turning point to more conservative values, I think.”
“And I think she was thinking of protocol and looking very elegant and very simple in a way ... it still was a very powerful visual message,” he said.
Predictably, the media pounced on her ensemble, labeling it “cold” and “funeral-like,” as though understated elegance were a flaw. Her look was serious—but isn’t that what the moment demanded? This is a First Lady whose home was raided by the FBI. This is a First Lady whose husband was nearly assassinated not once but twice. This is a First Lady whose family Democrats tried to bankrupt via vicious lawfare. Warmth and softness were for the first Trump inauguration. Focus, resilience, and determination—qualities mirrored in her husband’s official portrait — were more fitting for this day.
For years, the media has sidelined Melania’s impeccable style, reserving their adoration—and prime Vogue covers—for Democratic First Ladies. Jill Biden wears florals and sneakers? Relatable! Michelle Obama belts a cardigan? Groundbreaking! But when Melania steps out in a perfectly tailored ensemble, exuding grace and strength, they scramble to find flaws. The media’s refusal to celebrate her style, or that of Trump women in general, reveals their loyalties: deep-state wallets and Democratic darlings.
Two days earlier, at Arlington National Cemetery, Melania set the tone for her return to Washington with a sleek black Dior coat and Christian Louboutin knee-high leather boots. The streamlined silhouette balanced solemnity and sophistication.
For the evening inaugural balls—the Commander in Chief Ball, Liberty Inaugural Ball, and Starlight Ball—Melania delivered undeniable glamour. Hervé Pierre, her trusted collaborator, designed a strapless cream silk crepe gown featuring bold black zig-zag bands of silk gazar. The graphic details added a modern edge to the timeless silhouette, symbolizing resilience and strength. The bold black accents echoed her husband’s famously bold signature, a subtle yet powerful nod to their unified presence.
Melania accessorized with a 1955-era Harry Winston diamond brooch, repurposed as a choker on a thick black ribbon, adding old-Hollywood glamour to the look. White stiletto pumps completed the ensemble, balancing the monochrome palette and underscoring her attention to detail.
Our First Lady, Melania Trump, has returned to the East Wing, taking her rightful place back in American politics and American fashion. This administration, FLOTUS is fierce, feminine, and back in black. If this is the golden age of America, Melania is its crown jewel.
Bethany Miller is a fellow at Concerned Women for America and Managing Editor of CrossPolitic News. A South Asian American writer, her reporting delivers classy conservative commentary on the conversations of our time. You can find her on Instagram and X @bethanyymmiller