Melania’s big hat: who designed Mrs Trump’s inauguration day outfit? She skipped Ralph Lauren for an independent American designer as Donald Trump was sworn in as president

Jan 21 , 2025

Barron Trump and First Lady Melania Trump listen as US President Donald Trump delivers remarks after being sworn in as the 47th President in the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. SAUL LOEB/Pool via REUTERS

Melania’s wide-brimmed hat kept Joe Biden at a distance, while Donald joked ‘she almost blew away’ – the first lady’s style has also been likened to Jackie Kennedy’s in the past

While red baseball caps have become synonymous with President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump made her own millinery-related fashion statement, sporting a navy wide-brimmed hat by an American designer on inauguration day.

The hat designed by Eric Javits shielded the first lady’s eyes as her husband was sworn in Monday for the second time. Javits said dressing the first lady has been one of the greatest honours of his career.

US first lady Melania Trump leaves the US Capitol building on the inauguration day of US President Donald Trump’s second presidential term, in Washington DC, US, on January 20. Photo: Reuters

“My art background gave me an edge in bringing harmony and balance to the face by creating hat shapes that would flatter and enhance every kind of face,” he said in a statement. “In this specific case that was not difficult to do, in that Mrs Trump is blessed with great bone structure, beauty and a wonderful sense of style.”

The hat made its mark throughout the inauguration ceremony: as Donald went to kiss his wife after entering the Capitol Rotunda, the hat left only room for an air kiss. Even now-former President Joe Biden had to navigate around the hat while trying to talk to her husband on the other side.

Trump, speaking in Emancipation Hall after the swearing-in ceremony, joked about his wife’s hat nearly blowing away. The first lady had held onto her hat as a military helicopter taking off with Biden generated wind.

US President Donald Trump stands with first lady Melania Trump, and former President Joe Biden and former first lady Jill Biden, outside the US Capitol building on the inauguration day of Trump’s second presidential term in Washington DC, US, on January 20. Photo: Reuters

“She almost blew away,” Donald said with a laugh. “She was being elevated off the ground.”

In a departure from 2017’s sky blue cashmere dress and gloves by Ralph Lauren, this time, Melania paired a muted navy silk wool coat with a navy skirt and an ivory silk crepe blouse underneath, all by independent American designer Adam Lippes.

“The tradition of the presidential inauguration embodies the beauty of American democracy and today we had the honour to dress our first lady, Mrs Melania Trump,” Lippes said in a statement. “Mrs Trump’s outfit was created by some of America’s finest craftsmen and I take great pride in showing such work to the world.”