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 Trump, 46, the White House's first former model, chose
American designer Ralph Lauren's baby blue cropped jacket with
cowl neckline and matching dress for the swearing-in ceremony in
Washington.
She later wowed onlookers in a sleek, off the shoulder white
gown, slit to the thigh, designed by French-born Herve Pierre,
for a formal inaugural ball where she and newly-elected
President Donald Trump danced to the song "My Way," made famous
by the late Frank Sinatra.
But the outfit grabbing most attention was the patriotic red hat
with red, white and blue coat with brass buttons worn by
Kellyanne Conway, senior aide to Trump.
The $3,600 double-breasted Gucci coat evoked the American
Revolution era and took social media by storm with ridicule,
memes and comparisons ranging from Paddington Bear to Napoleon
and a nutcracker.
Conway described it "Trump revolutionary wear" in an interview
with NBC television. The satirical "Daily Show" commented on
Twitter that Conway was "dressed as the era Trump wants to take
America back to."
Style website Racked, however, complimented Conway as "the most
high-fashion person in Washington" on Friday.
By contrast, Melania Trump's outfit, worn with long matching
gloves, stiletto shoes, and her long hair swept up in a loose
bun, had a 1960s vibe.
The outfit, like other presidential inauguration dresses, will
later be sent to the Smithsonian Museum.
Fashion magazine Elle said Melania's choice "takes a very
literal page" from Kennedy's inaugural look in 1961.
"It's a look that, overall, is very safe, if a bit costume-y
(dye-to-match pumps!). As our first reality TV president enters
office, this is a family that is undeniably aware of what works
on TV, and this look is very on-the-nose, Jackie
Kennedy-inspired, 'presidential,'" wrote Elle's Leah Chernikoff.
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Melania Trump's Inauguration Day outfits had been the cause of much
speculation after Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs and other leading designers
said publicly they would not dress the 5-feet-11-inch (1.8-m) former
model for her big day because they opposed her husband and his
policies.
Lauren and his eponymous corporation became synonymous with American
style through his preppy line of Polo shirts, casual slacks and
shorts in the 1970s.
The company's Facebook page filled on Friday with both praise and
dismay at his decision to dress Trump for the swearing-in ceremony.
He also designed the signature pantsuits worn by Trump's rival,
Democrat Hillary Clinton, both during the 2016 election campaign and
on Friday.
Elsewhere, white was the dominant color.
Ivanka Trump, who has her own fashion line, donned a white pantsuit
with an asymmetrical cut designed by Oscar de la Renta.
Clinton went for a cream coat over a more traditional pantsuit, and
Tiffany Trump wore a white double breasted coast over a white dress.
Melania Trump began her career as a teen model in her native
Slovenia and has been featured on the cover of magazines like Vogue
and GQ.
(Additional reporting by Angela Moon; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and
Cynthia Osterman)
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