And let’s not ignore the fashion
Who could ignore Melania? Although the fashionistas certainly tried to do so, first time around – despite the fact that she had been a model and still looks good enough to be one. The woman literally could wear a gunny sack and look wonderful.
Melania’s been choosing more subdued neutrals lately. I first noticed it on Election Night, when she wore a gray double-breasted suit. Today’s outfit was navy blue. It was also double-breasted, which is a difficult look to wear for many women because it’s usually broadening. But for Melania, no such problems. Both outfits also had a longer midi hem length.
And of course the hat, which shielded her eyes. Guarded and almost armored, and who can blame her? You can get a good look at the hat in this video. And that tall, grownup-looking guy standing behind Trump? Barron, of course. Makes one very aware of the passage of time:
Melania also has extraordinarily good posture. And how does she walk in these stilettos? I can’t copy the photos, but go here to see what I mean. There you can also see how stunning Ivanka looked. There are also photos of Jill Biden and Usha Vance.
I wonder whether the fashion establishment will treat the beauteous Melania with more respect this time around? At this point, I doubt she much cares. She’s been through a lot in the past eight years, and there’s going to be another go-round.
I am looking forward to four years of excellent fashion choices from Melania. Usha also shows promise. There’s an almost martial look to Melania’s navy coat and hat. They’re ready for battle.
Do you use Windows 10 or 11? The Snipping Tool is good for that stuff…
The woman with Bezos (check the link above) forgot her shirt today – she just had a white jacket sorta covering something that looked like a lacy bra.
It will be interesting to see the dresses tonight. I hope you have a post covering the fashions tomorrow.
I generally have nothing but good things to say about Melania and her style, but I’m not a big fan of the hat. Why hide eyes that beautiful?
I wonder if the hat was chosen deliberately to make a statement about how she feels about the return to the arena.
I wonder if I am falling into the trap, like the fashionistas, of reading too much into women’s wardrobe choices
I loved the look. As Kate said, it could appear that she is ready for battle. However, I think it sends a message to the DC crowd that I am not one of you, and I will set my own standards. At least the observers and scribblers cannot accuse her of trying to copy Jackie, which seemed to be a strong theme at the link.
Melania is a beautiful woman, with a model feminine form, and a remarkable, elegant style. It’s especially gratifying that she shares a strong constitution with her husband, which has allowed them to weather catastrophic anthropogenic climate change and retain their character. Good luck.
The real reason Melania Trump wore THAT inauguration hat, its extraordinary backstory and why fashion insiders were left gasping…
Loved the hat, but didn’t read the article since I wasn’t “gasping” about it. Guess “gasping” over hat is a Lady’s ‘Thang.
Some said that Ivanka Trump’s emerald-green outfit fell into worst dressed category, but I liked it. Then again:
Ivanka Trump’s custom gown sparks liberal boycott meltdown threats – believe she wore that last night, and must’ve been great since it got responses like – ‘…boycott of Oscar de la Renta. Another person wrote: ‘Bye Oscar de la Renta. I know you won’t be cancelled but you are to me, for having no [expletive] morals.’’
“I wonder if the hat was chosen deliberately to make a statement . . .” [Oldflyer}
My thoughts were that the hat made Melania look like she was dressed for a royal British affair, and it made her stand out very prominently and stylishly. The only other woman that I noticed wearing a hat was Ivanka, and hers was a more modest hat which hugged her head ( It reminded me of a from the 1950s which would have had a veil).
I loved Melania’s look (almost all her looks), but at first glance it struck me as something for the funeral of a head of state … but which one?
Melania demonstrated impeccable taste.
“. . . it struck me as something for the funeral of a head of state …” [Nobody Atall]
Touche. Well played.
I have no problem with hats for formal occasion. More would be fine. Ivanka’s green suit was fine also. Jeff Bezos’s companion showed her bra clearly beneath her jacket, and that was inappropriate for the occasion (or of just about any time if you ask me).
Why hide eyes that beautiful?
Yes, the fair sex graces us with one of the small pleasures in life. Perhaps another time.
Funny at the CNN link neo posted Pichai and Musk are both heads down on their phones!
Based purely on physical appearances I much prefer Bezos’ 1st wife to his 2nd.
There are some amazing parallels to Reagan, as has been discussed here before, but even this fashion wave. Ron and Nancy brought a sense of tradition and decorum back to D.C.
Glad I can still fit into my suits from the “go go ’80s!”
Usha looks pretty in pink.
Class in Women:
“Why hide eyes that beautiful?” — she’ll show you them if she wants you to see them.
Unlike ‘Jeff Bezos’s companion‘ who shows ‘Thangs for any and everyone to see.
Mystique vs Boredom…so to speak.
And of course the hat,…
I had this thought just minutes ago watching live TV coverage. Melania was strolling into the building and the seating with a slow and deliberate stride with that hat on. Oh my, she could be a version of Clint Eastwood in one of those spaghetti westerns. She’s here to a bring a reckoning to town!
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000142/mediaviewer/rm3413677825/?ref_=nmmi_mi_164
Not quite the correct hat in the above photo. And it’s not from a spaghetti western, but you get the idea.
And sort of on the fashion front, certainly on the style front, how badass was Carrie Underwod? I saw earlier on video, but now I can’t find it, during the sound snafu, she says, “I can just sing it.” And she does so a cappella, and it was great!
Let us not forget that one of Biden’s last presidential acts was to bestow the National Medal of Freedom upon Dame Anna Wintour, who has been serving as editor-in-chief of Vogue since 1988.
Wintour was angling for the ambassador slot to the UK or France under Obama in 2012. I’m not sure why that didn’t happen.
What really struck me was the expression on Usha’s face while her husband was being sworn in.
The pride and love in that smile was enough to wipe out the cynic in me.
Well, for awhile.
There’s an inaugural ball yet to come, and I think this site, titled “FLOTUS Report” will have photos of what Melania wears:
https://x.com/MELANIAJTRUMP
TommyJay: yeah, the Eastwood resemblance was what came to my mind, too. Funny thought.
Justine Bateman has a really good thread on X about a lot of the fashion choices today. Worth a look as are a lot of her thoughts.
During this election year I’ve grown fond of Megyn Kelly’s YouTube channel. Here she is covering the Inauguration from a fashion angle.
–Megyn Kelly, “Inauguration Fashion Storylines, From Melania Trump to Lauren Sanchez, with Jashinsky and Johnson”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=habehKH3GYY
Of course, Megyn raves about Melania’s outfit and her regal presence. However, she goes off on Lauren Sanchez. “She dresses like a prostitute… Her boobs were on display… The girls were out!” Including a great clip of Mark Zuckerberg, seated next to Sanchez, caught staring down into her décolletage.
https://youtu.be/habehKH3GYY?t=137
That’s exactly what I think about Lauren Sanchez’s wardrobe choice (“She dresses like a prostitute…”)
And while we’re at it, on the male side, Sen. Fetterman attended the inauguration in his usual hoodie and gym shorts. Highly inappropriate.
Now, now, Kate. You’re talking about someone from the other side – one whom seems to accept some of Trump’s ideas. Personally, I don’t care if he wears just a jockstrap to such Republican events—so long as he casts lots of votes with the Republicans… 😉
@ T > “My thoughts were that the hat made Melania look like she was dressed for a royal British affair, and it made her stand out very prominently and stylishly.”
@ TommyJay & Mac > “Oh my, she could be a version of Clint Eastwood in one of those spaghetti westerns. She’s here to a bring a reckoning to town!”
These two statements are not irreconcilable.
In re the picture of Eastwood: the looks on both their faces are very similar.
AesopFan:
They’ve both got cheekbones, too.
Re: Clint Eastwood’s hat
Over the weekend I did a mini-retrospective of Clint Eastwood’s spaghetti westerns and looked up reviews.
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“Sergio Leone, who directed Eastwood in his breakthrough role in the Man With No Name trilogy of spaghetti westerns, said he liked the actor because he had only two expressions: ‘one with the hat, one without it.’”
https://www.who2.com/clint-eastwood-has-two-expressions/
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Those films are better than I remembered.
buddhaha @7:48- “What really struck me was the expression on Usha’s face while her husband was being sworn in.
The pride and love in that smile was enough to wipe out the cynic in me.”
That’s what struck me as well.
A few posts back on the “Open Thread” someone posted a photo from X… As I noted then, this is Eastwood;s notorious stranger… Malania is stepping from the limo; Eastwood arrives at Lago in “High Plains Drifter”…
The captain with it was something like: “The woman whose husband is going to deal with the people who raided her home.” This will be an interesting 4 years.
I wondered why Melania chose a hat that hid so much of her lovely face until DJT leaned in for a kiss and bounced off the brim. That hat literally served the useful purpose of keeping people out of her face.
LOL. I imagine the last thing Melania wanted was an ‘air kiss’ from Jill.
There’s a thought, Molly Brown. Or a sniff from Joe!
The asymmetrical black design on her inaugural gown was also commanding and sets her apart. And she looked very happy.
In re “the FLotUS Gown”, see the link: https://x.com/MELANIAJTRUMP/status/1881678669531185203
I don’t know anything about fashion, but I’m nothing if not curious, so I turned to my betters for help. For efficiency’s sake, I used Perplexity AI, and copied the results below. I think we should all be thankful for the enlightenment.
______________________________________________________________
Question:
Among Democrats and Progressives. what is the consensus opinion of the hat that Melania Trump wore to her husband’s inauguration on January 20, 2025?
______________________________________________________________
Answer:
The consensus among Democrats and Progressives regarding Melania Trump’s hat at her husband’s inauguration on January 20, 2025, is largely critical and reflective of broader themes in political fashion.
### **Key Observations**
– **Fashion Statement**: Melania Trump wore a navy boater-style hat designed by Eric Javits, which drew attention for its wide brim that obscured her eyes. This choice was seen as a deliberate attempt to project an image of aloofness and detachment, contrasting sharply with the more traditional styles of previous first ladies[1][2][4]. Critics noted that the hat’s design made her appear “hard” and business-like, which some interpreted as a statement of strength or distance from the public[3].
– **Public Reactions**: Social media reactions were mixed but leaned toward criticism. Some users expressed admiration for her overall outfit but found the hat excessive. Comments ranged from likening her look to a “business” persona to humorous comparisons to characters like the McDonald’s Hamburglar[3]. The hat’s presence during the inauguration also led to awkward moments, such as when President Trump attempted to kiss her but was hindered by the brim[4].
– **Historical Context**: The hat was part of a broader narrative about Melania Trump’s fashion choices, which have often sparked debate. Her previous inaugural outfit in 2017 was more traditional and aligned with Washington’s sartorial customs, whereas this year’s choice seemed to reflect a more personal and possibly defiant statement about her role as first lady[1][2][8].
– **Designer Commentary**: Javits described dressing Melania as a highlight of his career, emphasizing the artistry behind the hat’s design. However, this artistic intent did not resonate positively with many observers who felt it contributed to a sense of isolation rather than connection[4][9].
In summary, while Melania Trump’s hat was crafted with elegance in mind, it has been interpreted by many Democrats and Progressives as emblematic of a broader narrative about her public persona—one that is both stylish and strategically distant.
Citations:
[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/20/style/melania-trump-hat-inauguration-outfit.html
[2] https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/20/style/inauguration-fashion-looks-melania-trump/index.html
[3] https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/melania-trumps-inauguration-outfit-costs-a-fortune-and-netizens-are-going-into-a-spiral-over-it-101737420494067.html
[4] https://apnews.com/article/melania-trump-hat-fashion-inauguration-240dbc0d554d7ea2214e89d70f642216
[5] https://nypost.com/2025/01/20/lifestyle/melania-trump-styles-inauguration-day-outfit-with-a-matching-hat/
[6] https://www.yahoo.com/news/column-donald-trump-president-again-171803751.html
[7] https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/01/20/melania-trump-hat-fashion-inauguration/cc9ac620-d76b-11ef-85a9-331436ec61e9_story.html
[8] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz7e99ww55vo
[9] https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Style/melania-trump-style-inauguration-day-2025/story?id=117746469
[10] https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/melania-trump-inauguration-hat-spawns-190616413.html
[11] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka4f1cjiqw4
Listening to talk radio this morning brought to mind images of Mad Magazine’s “Spy vs. Spy.”
I mean that in a good way.
AesopFan on January 21, 2025 at 11:39 pm said:
The best photo-shop of Melania and the Hat comes from the Bee, of course.
https://babylonbee.com/news/tommy-gun-wielding-melania-trump-patrols-streets-of-dc-running-democrats-out-of-town