Melania Trump wore a wide-brimmed hat to Donald Trump’s inauguration — but the accessory almost didn’t make it to the ceremony.
Adam Lippes, who designed the rest of the first lady’s ensemble, told Vogue Monday that the statement piece “arrived all crushed” when it was shipped from Miami to New York.
“It looked like it had been sitting in snow drifts for about a week,” he recalled. “Obviously, I had to scramble to redo it. It couldn’t really be repaired, because of the construction of it.”
Lippes called the situation “a little bit of a cliffhanger,” noting that the 54-year-old’s stylist, Hervé Pierre, brought Melania a brand new one from the designer before the event.
“He had a driver, and Hervé took it back to her by hand to minimize any other disasters that could possibly happen,” Lippes explained.
He clarified, “No other hands touched, nor did any other eyes see the hat, prior to Hervé and the first lady receiving it.”
Melania paired her hat with a double-breasted navy coat and matching skirt, designed by Lippes, completing her look with black pumps.
Her ensemble sparked many memes, with social media users comparing her to Michael Jackson in the “Smooth Criminal” music video and McDonald’s Hamburglar.
One X user quipped, “Well thank god we finally figured out where in the world Carmen Sandiego is,” referencing the character’s signature outfit.
In a viral video, which Dave Portnoy poked fun at, Donald attempted to kiss his wife’s cheek but could not reach past the brim of her hat.
The couple’s 18-year-old son, who is a freshman at New York University, was also in attendance and towered over his mom.
The teenager was 10 the last time his father was sworn into the White House for his first presidential term in January 2017.
Donald, 78, was re-elected in November 2024.
The “Apprentice” alum’s five children — and their children — showed up to support him at the Capitol, and got all dolled up for multiple appearances over the weekend.
Logan Paul, Lauren Sánchez and more celebs attended the inauguration in Washington, DC, with Carrie Underwood among the singers performing.