First Lady Melania Trump’s choice of attire for the 2025 presidential inauguration ceremony garnered widespread attention and commentary, with observers drawing varied comparisons to pop culture figures and fictional characters.
The First Lady donned a navy blue and ivory silk wool ensemble by designer Adam Lippes, featuring a double-breasted blazer and a matching pencil skirt. The designer described the outfit as a showcase of “America’s finest craftsmen.” However, social media users presented less favorable interpretations, likening it to a mobster’s attire rather than traditional inaugural apparel.
An accompanying wide-brimmed navy blue hat with a white ribbon, crafted by milliner Eric Javits, added to the outfit’s dramatic effect. Some observers suggested that the hat’s style might fuel existing conspiracy theories about a “fake Melania.”
Online commentators noted that her look bore a resemblance to figures such as Michael Jackson at a funeral, cartoon characters, and anime antagonists, with one comparison drawing a parallel to “Darkwing Duck.”
The inauguration ceremony took place in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda due to cold weather in Washington D.C. The event marked Donald Trump’s return as the first president since Grover Cleveland to serve non-consecutive terms. Despite performances by Carrie Underwood, Christopher Macchio, and Lee Greenwood, it was Melania Trump’s fashion choice that became a major topic of discussion on social media.
Certain viewers likened the First Lady’s look to the McDonald’s character, the Hamburglar, while others drew comparisons to “Carmen Sandiego,” “Zorro,” and the horror film character “the Babadook.”
The stark contrast between this ensemble and Melania’s 2017 inauguration attire, a light blue cashmere dress and cropped jacket by Ralph Lauren, did not go unnoticed. The 2025 outfit by Lippes, intended to convey “timeless sophistication,” sparked speculation regarding its somber tone.
This is not the first time Melania Trump’s fashion choices have drawn comparisons to Michael Jackson. Similar remarks were made during her 2018 visit to the Great Sphinx in Giza.
Despite Lippes’ reputation for sophisticated American sportswear, the dark color palette and styling of the ensemble led to a wave of public commentary rather than the expected appreciation for its elegance.
Previous outfits by the First Lady have also drawn criticism, including a black and white Valentino dress worn at Jimmy Carter’s funeral which was compared to “nun’s attire.” The inaugural outfit continues the trend of unconventional fashion choices that prioritize dramatic impact over traditional diplomatic dress codes.
Adding to the overall impression, the First Lady paired the outfit with matching navy gloves, a decision that led social media users to describe the look as a “full villain ensemble.”