Ahead of Donald Trump’s second inauguration on Monday (January 20), several pre-inauguration events have been held across Washington D.C. The Trumps, Republicans, and Trump’s inner circle turned out for private dinners and fireworks in a show of strength. Their sartorial choices said as much.
As we saw throughout Trump’s previous presidential tenure, clothing and fashion played a significant part in the Trumpian narrative. Where Melania Trump’s choice of dress could propel a designer into the discourse and subtle and not-so-hidden messages were communicated through clothing. A ceremony or presidential engagement look can be a show of strength, stoicism, or defiance. With the Bidens exiting the White House, Dr. Biden’s choice of traditional American designers comes to mind: American-in-Paris Daniel Roseberry for Schiaparelli, Tom Ford, Ralph Lauren, and even Jackie Kennedy’s go-to Oscar de la Renta. Michelle Obama’s allegiance to both emerging and under-appreciated designers too: such as Jason Wu and Isabel Toledo. Predictions abound for who will dress the incoming second-time first lady—who was fond of Louboutin, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, and Ralph Lauren the first time around—and what the next fuschia pussybow blouse or “I Really Don’t Care—Do U?” moments will be.
This weekend’s pre-inauguration events offer clues for what to expect. Vice President-elect JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance hosted the vice presidential dinner at the National Gallery of Art on January 18 in Washington, DC. For the black tie event, Usha wore a custom noir velvet gown with asymmetric floral accents and a sweetheart neckline by Oscar de la Renta. Vance wore a classic tuxedo. The incoming vice president's own clothing choices have been a discussion point for the last few weeks, as he seems to be mirroring Trump’s most outlandish looks, swapping his Silicon Valley-stuck windbreakers, shrunken, single-breasted suits, and chinos for Republican red ties (a Trump signature), and wider-tailored suits. For Saturday’s event, he gave his beard a trim: Something of note, given it’s been more than a century since a sitting president or vice president has had such prominent facial hair.
The incoming Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was also present and wore a navy and black lapel jacket, a white tuxedo shirt with black piping, accessorized with a bow tie and white pocket scarf. His wife, the actor Cheryl Hines, wore an off-the-shoulder black dress with feather detailing.
Donald Junior wore a traditional tuxedo with a white shirt that had its buttons replaced with ‘MAGA’ lettering. He attended with girlfriend Bettina Anderson. Tiffany Trump attended with husband Michael Boulos; she wore a black sweetheart neckline dress. Eric Trump with his wife Lara were also present.
Trump and Melania began their celebrations at his golf club in Sterling, Virginia, just outside of Washington, with a fireworks showcase. The Trump family, also including Ivanka and Jared Kushner, were in attendance. Melania wore a gray Dior coat and a Dolce & Gabbana pantsuit, while Bettina and Tiffany wore white, buttoned-up coats. Ivanka wore a black wool coat and dress.
Today, the Trump clan and his chosen incoming cabinet appeared for a wreath laying by Trump and J.D. Vance at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Melania went with monochrome and an almost military-style black, buttoned cape coat with long black leather gloves and knee-high boots. Usha was the opposite in a white, a-line wool coat, with brown leather gloves and matching brown knee-high leather boots. Ivanka wore a beige, floral applique coat with brown leather gloves, and Tiffany wore a grey, princess-style belted coat with silver buttons.
As the events continue to unfold, following the sartorial choices of the first family and their inner circle through uncertain and turbulent times will prove interesting.