From Rosalynn Carter to Melania Trump, first ladies have long used their Inauguration Day outfits to make statements — whether about their own images, incoming presidents’ priorities or the state of our nation as a whole. Many have opted to wear US brands, in a show of support for domestic design talent; others, most notably Michelle Obama, have incorporated affordable accessories everyday Americans could purchase.
And as evident by the enduring popularity of the Smithsonian’s “First Ladies” fashion exhibit, people remain fascinated by what presidents’ wives choose to wear on these all-important occasions.
Ahead, take a look back at some of the most memorable Inauguration Day outfits from first ladies throughout history.
1 of 49
Mary Todd Lincoln wearing what’s believed to be her gown for President Abraham Lincoln’s inaugural ball in 1861 Corbis via Getty Images
2 of 49
Julia Dent Grant’s gown from President Ulysses S. Grant’s second inauguration in 1873 Hugh Talman, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
3 of 49
Caroline Scott Harrison wearing Ghormley, Robes et Manteaux at President Benjamin Harrison’s inauguration in 1889 Getty Images
4 of 49
Ida Saxton McKinley at President William McKinley’s inauguration in 1897 Heritage Images via Getty Images
5 of 49
Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt’s gown from President Theodore Roosevelt’s inaugural ball in 1905 Hugh Talman, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
6 of 49
Helen Taft at President William Howard Taft’s inauguration in 1909 Getty Images
7 of 49
Helen Taft at President William Howard Taft’s inaugural ball in 1909 Corbis/VCG via Getty Images
8 of 49
Eleanor Roosevelt wearing Silly Milgrim at President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first inauguration in 1933 Bettmann Archive
9 of 49
Eleanor Roosevelt wearing Arnold Constable at President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first inauguration in 1933 Getty Images
10 of 49
Eleanor Roosevelt wearing Silly Milgrim at President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s second inauguration in 1937 Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images
11 of 49
Eleanor Roosevelt at President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s third inauguration in 1941 Bettmann Archive
12 of 49
Eleanor Roosevelt wearing Arnold Constable at President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s fourth inauguration in 1945 Bettmann Archive
13 of 49
Bess Truman (center) at President Harry S. Truman’s inaugural ball in 1949 Everett/Shutterstock
14 of 49
Mamie Eisenhower at President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s first inauguration in 1953 Hank Walker/The LIFE Picture Col
15 of 49
Mamie Eisenhower wearing Nettie Rosenstein at President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s first inaugural ball in 1953 Bettmann Archive
16 of 49
Mamie Eisenhower wearing Nettie Rosenstein at President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s second inaugural ball in 1957 Bettmann Archive
17 of 49
Jacqueline Kennedy wearing Oleg Cassini at President John F. Kennedy’s inauguration in 1961 Bettmann Archive
18 of 49
Jacqueline Kennedy wearing Ethel Frankau of Bergdorf Custom Salon at President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural ball in 1961 Bettmann Archive
19 of 49
Claudia Taylor “Lady Bird” Johnson at President Lyndon B. Johnson’s inauguration in 1965 Bettmann Archive
20 of 49
Claudia Taylor “Lady Bird” Johnson wearing John Moore at President Lyndon B. Johnson’s inaugural ball in 1965 Bettmann Archive
21 of 49
Pat Nixon wearing Jay Sarnoff Custom Couture at President Richard Nixon’s first inauguration in 1969 Getty Images
22 of 49
Pat Nixon wearing Karen Stark for Harvey Berin at President Richard Nixon’s first inaugural ball in 1969 Bettmann Archive
23 of 49
Pat Nixon at President Richard Nixon’s second inauguration in 1973 Corbis via Getty Images
24 of 49
Pat Nixon wearing Adele Simpson at President Richard Nixon’s second inaugural ball in 1973 Bettmann Archive
25 of 49
Betty Ford at President Gerald Ford’s inauguration in 1973 Bill Pierce/The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
26 of 49
Rosalynn Carter wearing Dominic Rompollo at President Jimmy Carter’s first inauguration in 1977 Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
27 of 49
Rosalynn Carter wearing Mary Matise for Jimmae at President Jimmy Carter’s inaugural ball in 1977 Bettmann Archive
28 of 49
Nancy Reagan wearing Adolfo at President Ronald Reagan’s first inauguration in 1981 Getty Images
29 of 49
Nancy Reagan wearing James Galanos at President Ronald Reagan’s first inaugural ball in 1981 Getty Images
30 of 49
Nancy Reagan wearing Adolfo at President Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration in 1985 Mark Reinstein/Shutterstock
31 of 49
Nancy Reagan wearing James Galanos at President Ronald Reagan’s second inaugural ball in 1985 Bettmann Archive
32 of 49
Barbara Bush wearing Bill Blass at President George Bush’s inauguration in 1989 Getty Images
33 of 49
Barbara Bush wearing Arnold Scaasi at President George Bush’s inaugural ball in 1989 Bettmann Archive
34 of 49
Hillary Clinton wearing Connie Fails at President Bill Clinton’s first inauguration in 1993 Getty Images
35 of 49
Hillary Clinton wearing Sarah Phillips at President Bill Clinton’s first inaugural ball in 1993 AFP via Getty Images
36 of 49
Hillary Clinton wearing Oscar de la Renta at President Bill Clinton’s second inauguration in 1997 Getty Images
37 of 49
Hillary Clinton wearing Oscar de la Renta at President Bill Clinton’s second inaugural ball in 1997 Getty Images
38 of 49
Laura Bush wearing Michael Faircloth at President George W. Bush’s first inauguration in 2001 Newsday RM via Getty Images
39 of 49
Laura Bush wearing Michael Faircloth at President George W. Bush’s first inaugural ball in 2001 Getty Images
40 of 49
Laura Bush wearing Oscar de la Renta at President George W. Bush’s second inauguration in 2005 Getty Images
41 of 49
Laura Bush wearing Oscar de la Renta at President George W. Bush’s second inaugural ball in 2005 Getty Images
42 of 49
Michelle Obama wearing an Isabel Toledo coat and dress and J.Crew gloves at President Barack Obama’s first inauguration in 2009 Getty Images
43 of 49
Michelle Obama wearing Jason Wu at President Barack Obama’s first inaugural ball in 2009 AFP via Getty Images
44 of 49
Michelle Obama wearing a Thom Browne coat and J.Crew gloves and belt at President Barack Obama’s second inauguration in 2013 Getty Images
45 of 49
Michelle Obama wearing Jason Wu at President Barack Obama’s second inaugural ball in 2013 WireImage
46 of 49
Melania Trump wearing Ralph Lauren at President Donald Trump’s first inauguration in 2017 POOL/AFP via Getty Images
47 of 49
Melania Trump wearing Hervé Pierre at President Donald Trump’s first inaugural ball in 2017 Getty Images
48 of 49
Dr. Jill Biden wearing Markarian at President Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021 Getty Images
49 of 49
Melania Trump wearing an Adam Lippes coat and Eric Javits hat at President Donald Trump’s second inauguration in 2025 AP
