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With Donald Trump being sworn into office, we aren’t the most thrilled about the 60th presidential inauguration but it does give us the opportunity to look back on some historic fashion moments with joy and pride. Inaugurations have long served as a showcase not just for political tradition but also for iconic fashion moments that remain etched in history. From Michelle Obama’s trailblazing elegance to Amanda Gorman’s poetic symbolism, these looks have defined moments of hope, change, and unity. Here’s a look back at some of the most unforgettable inaugural fashion moments.
Michelle Obama: 2009, 2013, 2021 Inauguration Fashion
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For Barack Obama’s first inauguration in 2009, Michelle Obama wore a custom-designed lemongrass yellow sheath dress with a matching coat by Isabel Toledo. The look was paired with green leather gloves from J.Crew and Jimmy Choo heels, embodying a tone of optimism and accessibility. The designer told WWD that she wanted to don our forever FLOTUS in “a hopeful color that is so to the core of the beginning of things.” Toledo continued, “I really wanted to make her glow,” Toledo added. “I wanted to make her look luminous. I felt it was my duty.”
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In 2013, she turned heads in a striking Thom Browne coat and dress in navy jacquard, cinched with a custom-made J.Crew belt. According to an interview with The Cut, Browne said, “It’s overwhelming … It is one of those rare moments in someone’s career that you will always remember. There’s not a word that can really describe it. It’s just amazing.”
As the first Black First Lady, Michelle Obama’s fashion choices spoke volumes about representation and modernity. She seamlessly blended high-end design with approachable brands, setting a new standard for inaugural style.
2021 hit differently in so many ways but Michelle’s Sergio Hudson look was one for the books. The Former First Lady wore a belted monochrome ensemble in burgundy and plum shades by one of our favorite Black designers who has also collaborated with Rihanna, Beyoncé and so many more. She completed the look with leather gloves, Stuart Weitzman boots, a silk face mask, and a voluminous blowout hairstyle for the Gods.
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Kamala Harris, 2021 Inauguration Fashion
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The Look: Vice President Kamala Harris—the first woman, first Black and South Asian person to hold the office—donned a regal purple coat and dress by Black designers Christopher John Rogers and Sergio Hudson. Her outfit’s color symbolized unity and bipartisanship, combining red and blue hues.
She frequently wore purple during her 2019 presidential campaign. It allowed her to pay homage to Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to run for president. Chisholm also favored the color purple during her groundbreaking campaign, which served as an inspiration for Harris’s own political career. Harris’s look reflected her groundbreaking achievement, cementing the moment as a powerful symbol of progress.
Amanda Gorman, 2021 Inauguration Fashion
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Poet Amanda Gorman captivated audiences with her words and inauguration fashion: a vibrant yellow Prada coat paired with a red satin headband and jewelry gifted by Oprah Winfrey. The bright yellow symbolized hope and joy, matching the themes of her stirring poem, “The Hill We Climb.”
“I am weaving my own type of symbolism into my outfit, and it’s really special and important to me to deliver these nuggets of information and sentimentality as I’m reciting the poem,” Gorman told Vogue. “I’m also wearing a yellow coat, which is my own nod to Dr. Jill Biden, who was the one who recommended me in the first place, and I’m so honored by that. She said, ‘I saw this video of you and you were wearing yellow and I loved it.’”
Gorman’s sartorial choices complemented her historic role as the youngest inaugural poet. She undoubtedly made a bold statement about the power of youth and creativity.
Beyoncé, 2013 Inauguration Fashion
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Performing the national anthem at Barack Obama’s second inauguration, Beyoncé dazzled in a black velvet Emilio Pucci gown with a crystal-embellished neckline, topped with a Christian Dior coat. She accessorized with emerald earrings by Lorraine Schwartz. Beyoncé’s performance and attire exuded glamour and grace, befitting her status as a global icon.
Lady Gaga, 2021 Inauguration Fashion
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Lady Gaga’s dramatic Schiaparelli Haute Couture ensemble featured a navy fitted jacket and a billowing red ball skirt. The pièce de résistance was a golden dove of peace brooch, symbolizing hope and harmony.
She told British Vogue, “This is one of my favorite things I’ve ever worn,” Gaga says, before revealing that the dress was actually bulletproof. When I saw that golden dove, I just knew that this was the right piece, and I knew, Schiaparelli being an Italian fashion house, it was something that I really, really wanted to do for my heritage as an Italian-American woman that would be singing for President 45 to be leaving and to invite President 46 into office.”
Singing the national anthem, Lady Gaga’s theatrical yet elegant look emphasized unity and peace. She expressed these values through her powerful performance.
The President: Joe Biden
Jennifer Lopez, 2021 Inauguration Fashion
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J. Lo radiated in an all-white Chanel ensemble featuring a ruffled blouse, wide-leg pants, and a dazzling coat. The monochromatic white symbolized women’s suffrage and equality.
The singer took to Instagram to share a video captioned, “Una nación, bajo Dios, indivisible, con libertad y justicia para todos. Let’s get loud!” #Inauguration2021 
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Singing “This Land Is Your Land” and “America the Beautiful,” Lopez’s outfit and performance celebrated diversity and empowerment.
These looks remind us that fashion is more than fabric; it’s a form of storytelling. Each piece worn during these historic moments amplified messages of hope, unity, and resilience. As we reflect on these unforgettable styles, we’re reminded of the profound intersection between fashion and the momentous occasions they adorn.
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