From Rosalynn Carter to Melania Trump, first ladies have long used their Inauguration Day outfits to make statements — whether about their own images, incoming presidents’ priorities or the state of our nation as a whole. Many have opted to wear US brands, in a show of support for domestic design talent; others, most notably Michelle Obama, have incorporated affordable accessories everyday Americans could purchase.
And as evident by the enduring popularity of the Smithsonian’s “First Ladies” fashion exhibit, people remain fascinated by what presidents’ wives choose to wear on these all-important occasions.
Ahead, take a look back at some of the most memorable Inauguration Day outfits from first ladies throughout history.
Mary Todd Lincoln wearing what’s believed to be her gown for President Abraham Lincoln’s inaugural ball in 1861
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Julia Dent Grant’s gown from President Ulysses S. Grant’s second inauguration in 1873
Hugh Talman, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Caroline Scott Harrison wearing Ghormley, Robes et Manteaux at President Benjamin Harrison’s inauguration in 1889
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Ida Saxton McKinley at President William McKinley’s inauguration in 1897
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Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt’s gown from President Theodore Roosevelt’s inaugural ball in 1905
Hugh Talman, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Helen Taft at President William Howard Taft’s inauguration in 1909
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Helen Taft at President William Howard Taft’s inaugural ball in 1909
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Eleanor Roosevelt wearing Silly Milgrim at President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first inauguration in 1933
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Eleanor Roosevelt wearing Arnold Constable at President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first inauguration in 1933
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Eleanor Roosevelt wearing Silly Milgrim at President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s second inauguration in 1937
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Eleanor Roosevelt at President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s third inauguration in 1941
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Eleanor Roosevelt wearing Arnold Constable at President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s fourth inauguration in 1945
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Bess Truman (center) at President Harry S. Truman’s inaugural ball in 1949
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Mamie Eisenhower at President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s first inauguration in 1953
Hank Walker/The LIFE Picture Col
Mamie Eisenhower wearing Nettie Rosenstein at President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s first inaugural ball in 1953
Bettmann Archive
Mamie Eisenhower wearing Nettie Rosenstein at President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s second inaugural ball in 1957
Bettmann Archive
Jacqueline Kennedy wearing Oleg Cassini at President John F. Kennedy’s inauguration in 1961
Bettmann Archive
Jacqueline Kennedy wearing Ethel Frankau of Bergdorf Custom Salon at President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural ball in 1961
Bettmann Archive
Claudia Taylor “Lady Bird” Johnson at President Lyndon B. Johnson’s inauguration in 1965
Bettmann Archive
Claudia Taylor “Lady Bird” Johnson wearing John Moore at President Lyndon B. Johnson’s inaugural ball in 1965
Bettmann Archive
Pat Nixon wearing Jay Sarnoff Custom Couture at President Richard Nixon’s first inauguration in 1969
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Pat Nixon wearing Karen Stark for Harvey Berin at President Richard Nixon’s first inaugural ball in 1969
Bettmann Archive
Pat Nixon at President Richard Nixon’s second inauguration in 1973
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Pat Nixon wearing Adele Simpson at President Richard Nixon’s second inaugural ball in 1973
Bettmann Archive
Betty Ford at President Gerald Ford’s inauguration in 1973
Bill Pierce/The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Rosalynn Carter wearing Dominic Rompollo at President Jimmy Carter’s first inauguration in 1977
Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Rosalynn Carter wearing Mary Matise for Jimmae at President Jimmy Carter’s inaugural ball in 1977
Bettmann Archive
Nancy Reagan wearing Adolfo at President Ronald Reagan’s first inauguration in 1981
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Nancy Reagan wearing James Galanos at President Ronald Reagan’s first inaugural ball in 1981
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Nancy Reagan wearing Adolfo at President Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration in 1985
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Nancy Reagan wearing James Galanos at President Ronald Reagan’s second inaugural ball in 1985
Bettmann Archive
Barbara Bush wearing Bill Blass at President George Bush’s inauguration in 1989
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Barbara Bush wearing Arnold Scaasi at President George Bush’s inaugural ball in 1989
Bettmann Archive
Hillary Clinton wearing Connie Fails at President Bill Clinton’s first inauguration in 1993
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Hillary Clinton wearing Sarah Phillips at President Bill Clinton’s first inaugural ball in 1993
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Hillary Clinton wearing Oscar de la Renta at President Bill Clinton’s second inauguration in 1997
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Hillary Clinton wearing Oscar de la Renta at President Bill Clinton’s second inaugural ball in 1997
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Laura Bush wearing Michael Faircloth at President George W. Bush’s first inauguration in 2001
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Laura Bush wearing Michael Faircloth at President George W. Bush’s first inaugural ball in 2001
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Laura Bush wearing Oscar de la Renta at President George W. Bush’s second inauguration in 2005
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Laura Bush wearing Oscar de la Renta at President George W. Bush’s second inaugural ball in 2005
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Michelle Obama wearing Isabel Toledo at President Barack Obama’s first inauguration in 2009
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Michelle Obama wearing Jason Wu at President Barack Obama’s first inaugural ball in 2009
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Michelle Obama wearing Thom Browne at President Barack Obama’s second inauguration in 2013
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Michelle Obama wearing Jason Wu at President Barack Obama’s second inaugural ball in 2013
WireImage
Melania Trump wearing Ralph Lauren at President Donald Trump’s first inauguration in 2017
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Melania Trump wearing Hervé Pierre at President Donald Trump’s first inaugural ball in 2017
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Dr. Jill Biden wearing Markarian at President Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021
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Melania Trump wearing an Adam Lippes coat and Eric Javits hat at President Donald Trump’s second inauguration in 2025
AP
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