15 First Ladies' Inauguration Day Fashion

Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, Barack Obama, among many others, are all names that, one way or another, will forever be a part of American history as they served their tenures as Presidents of the United States. And, during their time as the country’s most powerful man, their wives and First Ladies stood right beside them.

Among the equally as historic American history icons are Eleonor Roosevelt, Jacqueline Kennedy, and Hillary Clinton, just to name a few. So, in honor of National First Ladies’ Day today, June 2, we’ve decided to talk a walk down memory lane and look at the looks many FLOTUS decided to wear during their husband’s presidential inauguration.

In the most recent inauguration of Joe Biden in 2021, his wife Dr. Jill Biden looked as elegant as ever in a Markarian ocean blue wool tapered tweed dress.

“They’re just pieces of small cloth,” the First Lady once said in a speech to the Smithsonian, “but they represent the enormity of what we all faced at the time. A pandemic that has changed our world forever. Months of closed schools and businesses. A virtual presidential campaign. So much time spent apart. But these masks also represent the moments of courage and kindness … the strength and the resilience [shown when] we vowed to rebuild and move forward.”

Check out some previous First Lady inauguration looks below!

Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of President Abraham Lincoln, brought the drama to the White House in this billowing gown with a cinched corset and ruffled layers on the trim and neckline.

For President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1933 inauguration, his wife Eleanor Roosevelt kept it feminine in a blue silk crepe dress with embellishments on the collar.

Known for her impeccable style, Jacqueline Kennedy, wife to President John F. Kennedy, wore a gorgeous A-line light blue dress with a matching coat and pillbox hat to the inauguration.

Mrs. Lyndon Johnson, Lady Bird Johnson, looked as happy as ever in this bright red wool coat with a black knot and black accessories to the inauguration.

Owning the Barbiecore trend decades before the trend even existed, Pat Nixon, wife to Richard Nixon, rocked this bright pink coat to the coronation.

President Jimmy Carter’s wife Rosalynn Carter kept it classic during his inauguration in this long-sleeve royal blue coat and knee-high black boots.

Nancy Reagan was a vision in orange-red at her husband Ronald Reagan’s 1981 inauguration.

Much like Rosalynn Carter, Barbara Bush, wife to President George H. W. Bush, also wore a full blue coat to the occasion.

Stepping a little outside the norm, Hillary Clinton opted for this checkered red and white two-piece suit for her husband Bill Clinton’s inauguration.

Four years later, in 1997, Hillary Clinton stood tall in this monochromatic bright pink look as her husband was sworn into office for the second time.

In 2001, President George W. Bush color coordinated with his wife Laura Bush as they both wore blue to the inauguration.

For President Barack Obama’s first inauguration, Michelle Obama opted for this light green sparkly dress and coat with dark green gloves and heels.

Four years later, Michelle Obama had already established herself as a fashion superstar when she wore this checkered coat with high boots and bright pink gloves. Talk about a glow-up!

For President Donald Trump’s inauguration in 2017, his wife Melania opted for this light blue monochromatic look with attached gloves.

Lastly, in 2021, Dr. Jill Biden looked ultra chic in this blue ensemble with matching gloves and mask.