(function() { const page = {"documentType":"story","geoBucket":"geo_ww","errorStatus":"","publication":"HOLA","subsection":"fashion","section":"fashion","cleanURL":"/us/fashion/20250117762930/inaugural-gowns-first-ladies/","canonicalURL":"/us/fashion/20250117762930/inaugural-gowns-first-ladies/","ed":"8","otherEdition":["8"],"dataSource":"web"}; const article = {"datePublication":"20250117","author":["Daniel Neira"],"tags":["celebrity-fashion","melania-trump","michelle-obama"],"keywords":[],"videoTitle":"","dateModified":"20250117","videoID":"","videoPlayer":"","videoType":"","videoStyle":"","descriptionURL":"The nighttime looks are known to have a more vibrant and bolder approach.","contentClassification":"","clientName":"","articleLength":89,"articleTitle":"Inaugural Gowns: From Jackie Kennedy's silk sheer dress to Melania Trump's shoulder-baring gown","articleHeadline":"Inaugural Gowns: From Jackie Kennedy's silk sheer dress to Melania Trump's shoulder-baring gown","articleSubtitle":"The nighttime looks are known to have a more vibrant and bolder approach.","articleID":762930,"externalLinks":0,"numberImages":0,"numberParagraphs":3,"hasVideo":false,"hasEmbedded":false,"internalLinks":4,"hasPodcast":false,"contentPurpose":"trending-news","articleType":"gallery","is":false,"isBranded":false,"isTenancy":false,"is":false,"isOneColumn":false,"contentAccess":"free","holaPlusOrigin":"","hasRelatedContent":true,"hasRelatedGallery":true,"commercialPurpose":[],"campaign":[],"sourceClonedArticle":"","numberAds":5,"primaryImageStyle":"rightAligned169","contentCreation":[],"recirculationBlockType":["ceros-homepage","froomle","related-news","outbrain","latest-news","related-content"],"recirculationBlockNumber":6}; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (page) window.dataLayer.push(page); if (article) window.dataLayer.push(article); })();
Skip to main contentSkip to footer
President Donald Trump introduces first lady Melania Trump at the Freedom Inaugural Ball © Aaron P. Bernstein

Inaugural Gowns: From Jackie Kennedy's silk sheer dress to Melania Trump's shoulder-baring gown

The nighttime looks are known to have a more vibrant and bolder approach.


Daniel Neira
Senior Writer
JANUARY 17, 2025 3:54 PM EST

While the presidential inaugurations focus on celebrating a new political era, it's hard to leave aside the glamour of the first ladies who have made a mark over the years.

 Apart from the elegant ensembles worn during the daytime at the inauguration ceremony, the nighttime looks are known to have a more vibrant and bolder approach.

As we approach Donald Trump's second inauguration, we take a look at Melania Trump's Hervé Pierre gown in 2017, as well as other stunning gowns worn by first ladies throughout history.

Mamie Eisenhower in full-length inaugural gown. © Bettmann

Mamie Eisenhower

Mamie Eisenhower was all smiles after President Dwight D. Eisenhower took the Oath of Office. The former first lady wore a pale pink sparkly full-length gown paired with matching white gloves for the special occasion. She completed the look with a pearl choker, matching earrings, and a bold red lip.

Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson chats with the President and Mrs. Kennedy at the inaugural ball © Bettmann

Jackie Kennedy

Jackie Kennedy wore a sleeveless, off-white gown by Oleg Cassini featuring a silk sheer top and a strapless bodice encrusted with “brilliants” and embroidered with silver thread. She paired the look with a matching cape and gloves. 

Newly-elected President Ronald Reagan ballroom dancing with wife Nancy during his inaugural ball.  © Dirck Halstead

Nancy Reagan

Nancy Reagan wore a white beaded one-shouldered gown by James Galanos to the 1981 inaugural ball, featuring lace over silk satin.

Hillary Clinton at the ball celebrating the Presidential Inauguration. © Wally McNamee

Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton collaborated with Oscar de la Renta for her daytime and nighttime looks at the presidential inauguration in 1997, including a sparkly form-fitting caped gown worn at the ball, celebrating her husband's presidency.

 Laura Bush attends the Texas, Wyoming Inaugural Ball © Joe Raedle

Laura Bush

Laura Bush decided to go for an all-red look during the evening after the presidential inauguration in 2005. She wore a red Chantilly lace gown designed by Michael Faircloth. 

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama attend the Inaugural Ball© Taylor Hill

Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama made a bolder choice in 2013, wearing a custom Jason Wu gown in red. Back in 2009, she also collaborated with the designer for her nighttime look, a one-shoulder gown in white.


President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrive at the Freedom Ball © Pool

Melania Trump

Melania Trump looked elegant in a white gown by French designer Hervé Pierre. The crisp white shoulder-bearing gown featured a red band around her waist.

© ¡HOLA! Reproduction of this article and its photographs in whole or in part is prohibited, even when citing their source.