On Inauguration Day, while red baseball caps have become emblematic of former President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump showcased her own fashion statement by wearing a striking navy wide-brimmed hat created by an American designer.
The hat, crafted by Eric Javits, offered protection from the sun as President Trump took the oath of office for the second time. Javits expressed that it was a tremendous honor to dress the first lady, highlighting the satisfaction that came from using his artistic background to create flattering hat designs.
“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 remarked 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 a noticeable appearance during the inauguration festivities. When President Trump leaned in to greet Melania after entering the Capitol Rotunda, the hat posed a challenge, allowing only for a brief air kiss. Even then-President Joe Biden had to maneuver around the hat while attempting to converse with President Trump.
Following the swearing-in, President Trump humorously remarked on the challenges posed by the wind created by a military helicopter departing with Biden, which nearly swept Melania’s hat away. “She almost blew away,” Trump said with a chuckle. “She was being elevated off the ground.”
In contrast to her light blue ensemble from 2017, which included a cashmere dress and gloves designed by Ralph Lauren, Melania opted for a sophisticated look this time. She wore a muted navy silk wool coat matched with a navy skirt and an ivory silk crepe blouse, all styled by independent American designer Adam Lippes.
Lippes expressed pride in being able to dress the first lady, stating, “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. 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.”
Melania’s ensemble was likened to that of Jacqueline Kennedy, who famously wore a pillbox hat for her husband’s inauguration in 1961. However, dressing Melania Trump became a contentious issue in 2017, with several designers refusing to dress the then-upcoming first lady—an opportunity that is typically highly sought after. Some social media users even called for a boycott of Ralph Lauren during that period.
As time moved to the 2025 inauguration, Ralph Lauren emerged as the designer of choice for Jill Biden, who selected a full monochromatic purple attire, from her coat down to her shoes and gloves, to signify the transition of power.
A request for comment from Ralph Lauren has not been answered.
