Melania Trump has once again taken on the role of First Lady of the United States. On January 20, Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President, and Melania was by his side throughout the day’s events and celebrations.
While a body language expert previously described Melania as “unhappy” during election night, her demeanor seemed to shift for the inauguration. Her outfit drew significant attention, particularly one standout piece that sparked extensive discussion.
The First Lady sported a unique hat that seemed to convey a strong message, leading to some playful mockery on social media.
Donald and Melania had been preparing for their move into the White House for several months, and on January 20, that transition finally took place as Donald was sworn in for his second term. Melania and their son, Barron, were present with him throughout the day. Due to the chilly weather, the oath of office was taken inside the Capitol Rotunda.
Body language expert Judi James observed that Donald often held Melania’s hand during the ceremony, describing his gestures as reminiscent of a Regency gentleman, complete with kisses on her cheek and affectionate glances as they danced together.
As always, Melania’s fashion choices were a hot topic of conversation. Judi James noted that her outfit played a significant role in signaling the type of First Lady she intends to be.
Her saucer-shaped hat and sharply tailored coat positioned her as an equal to Trump, showcasing her serious intent this time. Underneath the hat’s brim, her smile radiated confidence and regality, though her eyes remained concealed, James noted.
“In challenging social situations, like when they were bidding farewell to the Bidens after Trump’s fiery speech, Melania made her feelings quite apparent. When Biden placed an arm around her waist for a full ten seconds, she turned away towards her husband, her elbow out as she clutched her hat brim. As Trump leaned in to shake hands with Biden, she wrapped her arm around Trump’s waist for several seconds, giving him a reassuring pat.”
While Melania donned a striking outfit, securing the exact one she desired seemed to be quite a challenge. Women’s Wear Daily reached out to 16 designers to see if they would dress Melania, but it appears she isn’t the most favored choice among them.
Representatives from designer brands like Michael Kors, Rachel Scott of Diotima, Sergio Hudson of Zankov, and House of Gilles chose not to comment on whether they would collaborate with Melania for the inauguration. In the past, during Donald Trump’s first term, designers such as Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs, and Jason Wu openly declined to dress her.
One designer who has collaborated closely with Melania over the years is French designer Hervé Pierre. In a conversation with Women’s Wear Daily, he expressed that he hasn’t received a clear explanation for why some individuals refuse to work with the First Lady.
The designer shared that he tends to avoid involvement with the fashion industry regarding Trump for a good reason: it isn’t particularly welcoming. “It’s no secret,” he noted. “While some individuals are quite open-minded and could create something unique, many others are not.”
He recounted a negative experience stemming from his association with the Trumps. While shopping in a designer store in New York City, he was told by someone that he “was not welcome here.”
“I get that people may criticize Mrs. Trump, but to tell someone who is shopping at full price, ‘You are not welcome here,’ was something I never anticipated,” Pierre remarked.
He also mentioned that some designers in New York are wonderful, while Europeans tend to be more accepting. They view dressing Mrs. Trump, given the media attention she receives, as a chance to boost sales and gain free publicity.
Body language expert Judi James observed that Melania Trump’s “power signals” have grown stronger. She noted that the First Lady’s warm smile exudes “an air of relaxed confidence.”
As they exit the service, Donald and Melania enhance their clasped hands into a more noticeable show of unity. Trump raises their joined hands a few times, almost as if waving, while they walk to their car, signaling both pride in his wife and a gentlemanly concern for her as they navigate the curb, James explained to the Mirror.
Trump’s expression is familiar—a slightly stern, almost somber look reminiscent of his official portrait. In contrast, Melania appears determined to bring a sense of celebration to the moment. Although her eyes are hidden by her hat’s brim, her broad, toothy smile radiates an air of relaxed confidence.
Melania has expressed that she feels much more ready to step into the White House this time. Consequently, her approach is expected to be different. According to body language expert Inbaal Honigman, her demeanor at this inauguration was noticeably distinct from that of 2017.
“In the 2025 inauguration, Melania’s body language was calm and composed,” Inbaal shared with the Express. “She maintained a still, model-like pose, with a neutral expression, allowing her husband to take center stage.”
He added that she seemed more approachable this time around.
“Unlike in 2017, when Melania smiled and waved to the crowd, presenting a more engaging image, this time she kept a more subdued presence,” he noted. Melania’s natural expression tends to be neutral, and she has faced criticism for her fleeting smiles, which she likely recognized.
Inbaal concluded, “This time, Melania cleverly shielded herself from scrutiny by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, allowing her to maintain her neutral expression without concern.”
Indeed, the hat became a major topic of conversation. Melania wore it throughout the day, both indoors and outdoors. Designed by Eric Javits, he remarked that dressing Melania was one of the highlights of his career.
“My artistic background helped me create hat designs that complement and enhance various face shapes,” Javits stated. “In this case, it was easy, as Mrs. Trump possesses stunning bone structure, beauty, and a keen sense of style.”
While the hat obscured her eyes, it seemed to stay in place, though her husband noticed otherwise. During his speech in Emancipation Hall, Donald humorously mentioned that her hat almost flew away while she stood next to a military helicopter.
Trump chuckled, saying, “She nearly got swept away. She was almost lifted off the ground.”
Melania complemented her hat with a navy silk wool coat, a navy skirt, and an ivory silk crepe blouse, all designed by American designer Adam Lippes.
Lippes expressed his pride in a statement, saying, “The tradition of the presidential inauguration showcases the essence of American democracy, and today we had the privilege of dressing our first lady, Mrs. Melania Trump. Her outfit was crafted by some of the finest artisans in America, and I take immense pride in presenting such craftsmanship to the world.”
While the day’s events unfolded smoothly for the Trumps, social media buzzed with comments about Melania’s hat. One user on X, formerly known as Twitter, remarked that she “looks like she’s going to a funeral.”
Another chimed in, saying, “She’s mourning America.”
Things will be different for Donald and Melania during their second term at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. A significant change is that their son, Barron Trump, will not be living there, as he started his studies at New York University last year. However, Melania mentioned to Fox that Barron is always welcome to visit.
“Of course, he’ll have a bedroom there, but he’s an adult now, in college. I believe he will come and visit, yes,” Melania shared, adding that she would love for him to bring friends along. “Yes, whatever he wants to do. I believe that as parents, we guide our children until they are 18 or 19, and then we give them the freedom to choose. I always respect Barron’s decisions and what he enjoys doing.”
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