During her husband’s second inauguration, Melania Trump showcased her fashion sense once again by wearing a bold and unique wide-brimmed navy hat that caught everyone’s attention and stirred up some debate.
When she attended her husband’s first inauguration, Melania was quickly likened to Jackie Kennedy because of her stunning powder-blue suit dress, which was specially made for her by Ralph Lauren. She styled her hair in a loose chignon reminiscent of the 1960s and wore a graceful smile, giving off a vibe of political elegance from a different time.
In 2025, Melania opted for a more modern and confident look with a custom navy silk-wool coat dress, paired with an ivory silk crepe blouse and a pencil skirt. Many were surprised to learn that this stylish outfit was crafted in New York City by the famous American designer Adam Lippes.
On Inauguration Day, Melania Trump’s outfit symbolized grace, unity, and a polished public persona. As mentioned earlier, her light blue Ralph Lauren outfit radiated classic elegance and celebrated American design, drawing parallels to Jackie Kennedy.
Her careful style in public was shown through her well-fitted outfit and calming color choices, which symbolized tranquility and peace.
But the real star of the event was her hat. This stunning piece, created by Eric Javits, stole the show and became a hot topic among both the crowd and fashion experts.
A Hat That Stole the Spotlight
Interestingly, a shipping mix-up almost kept the hat from making it to the inauguration. Eric Javits had to do a lot of hand-sewing on the hat, and it got delayed during shipping. Luckily, Melania managed to complete her striking look because the hat arrived just in time for the ceremony.
Melania’s decision to wear a hat for the inauguration is quite interesting and rare in modern American politics. No First Lady has worn a hat on inauguration day since Hillary Clinton did in 1993. The wide brim and white trim of Javits’ design partially shaded her eyes, adding an air of elegance and intrigue to her look.
The hat seemed like a smart choice for a woman famous for her love of sunglasses. However, it was different from the bright colors and soft designs usually seen on First Ladies at these events.
This hat quickly became a hit after being carefully hand-stitched in Javits’ Miami workshop. Before Melania and her stylist, Herve Pierre, got their hands on it, Javits proudly mentioned that “no other hands touched it.” To show its handmade quality, only 8% of the stitching was done by machine.
On social media, the hat sparked a lot of reactions, with some users comparing it to characters from “Spy vs. Spy” and famous figures like Carmen Sandiego. These comparisons got people talking about her fashion choices.
Overall, Melania Trump’s hat on Inauguration Day was a complicated statement that highlighted her unique style, support for American designers, and a subtle message of confidence and strength as she took on her role again.