Melania Trump’s carefully curated outfit for her husband’s inauguration has ignited a heated debate online. The ensemble, designed by Adam Lippes, featured a dark navy coat, closed-toe heels, and black gloves. However, it was her wide-brimmed, double-faced wool boater hat that stole the show and sparked a flurry of comments.
While some praised Melania’s elegant look, others were quick to criticize. Some compared her outfit to funeral attire, while others joked that the hat made her look like Jim Carrey in “The Mask.” A few even speculated that the hat was a deliberate attempt to hide her face.
Despite the mixed reactions, Melania’s stylist, Herve Pierre, revealed that the hat was a custom-made piece designed by milliner Eric Javits. The hat’s journey to the inauguration was not without drama, as the original piece was damaged in transit, and Eric had to create a replacement in just four days.
On the day of the inauguration, the hat proved to be a challenge in the strong winds, with Melania holding it in place as she said goodbye to former President Joe Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden. The hat even became the centerpiece of a lighthearted moment between Melania and her husband, as Donald Trump attempted to lean in for a kiss but was thwarted by the hat’s wide brim.
Throughout her years in the public eye, Melania’s fashion choices have been subject to intense scrutiny, often sparking contentious debates. According to former CNN White House journalist Kate Bennett, Melania’s style has long reflected her complicated relationship with public life, with her outfits often featuring long sleeves, cinched waists, and hard shoulders – a style that Kate describes as “military-esque” and “armor-like.”
