Friday 20 January 2017

What's in a dress? 🇺🇸

Melania Trump mirrors Jackie Kennedy in Inauguration Day ensemble

Ivanka Trump, Tiffany Trump and Hillary Clinton all chose white coats for Inauguration Day while Melania Trump selected a blue dress.

What's in a dress? That's a question many people may be asking as we discuss and, let's be honest, analyze the new first lady's outfits on this historic day. Here at TODAY Style, we'd answer that by saying "a lot."

Fashion and style can communicate messages without saying a word. From the designer, to the color, to the design, an outfit can sometimes shout a message loud for all the world to hear. And there's plenty of precedent for that from first ladies throughout history. When Jackie Kennedy wore a stylish cape, she announced her husband's term as a young and forward-thinking administration. When Rosalynn Carter chose to wear a dress she's previously worn, she was continuing the down-home feeling of President Carter's campaign. And Nancy Reagan's sparkly one-shoulder gown with formal evening gloves stated that this was an administration that honored glamour.

Michelle Obama's fashion choices have been lauded and admired throughout her husband's eight years in office, as she notably choose young designers, mass retailers (like J.Crew) and fashion-forward choices that cemented her place as a style icon. For Melania Trump's first choice as first lady, she chose a powder blue Ralph Lauren dress and jacket with notably vintage vibes. Perhaps it's a nod to her husband's famous campaign slogan? We'll be watching.