Sure, she has delivered the occasional speech, but Melania Trump can often get people talking without ever saying a word. Her clothes alone can generate admiration and outrage in equal measure.
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00:00Sure, she has delivered the occasional speech, but Melania Trump can often get people talking
00:05without ever saying a word. Her clothes alone can generate admiration and outrage in equal
00:10measure.
00:12Melania Trump has often been spotted wearing some of the fashion world's most expensive
00:16pieces. Have you ever wondered what designers Melania prefers to wear? How much do her elegant
00:21gowns and designer evening wear cost? Wonder no more. Here are the most expensive outfits
00:27Melania Trump has ever worn.
00:30While on a trip to the United Kingdom, Melania Trump stunned while attending a black-tie
00:34dinner. Wearing a pale yellow chiffon dress by Jay Mindel, the first lady looked beautiful
00:39in the Grecian-inspired gown. The dress featured a fitted bodice with an off-the-shoulder neckline
00:45and an A-line skirt that featured subtle pleating details. The star of the dress was the shoulder
00:50detailing that flowed into a cape design. Melania finished the look with a pair of color-coordinated
00:56Manolo Blahnik silk high heels. Melania topped off the outfit with her very large engagement
01:01ring and studded earrings. The outfit also went perfectly with the setting of the gala
01:06— former Prime Minister Winston Churchill's family palace and estate.
01:10So how much was the outfit? Well, the dress alone was $6,990. But if it's the engagement
01:17ring you're wondering about, prepare yourself. As noted by The New York Times, at the time
01:22of her engagement to Donald Trump in 2005, Melania's engagement ring cost $1.5 million.
01:28The jeweler, GAF, reportedly gave Donald a discount, and he only paid half what the ring
01:33was worth. Trump reportedly said about the ring,
01:36"...only a fool would say, no thank you, I want to pay a million dollars more for a diamond."
01:42Shortly after she made the White House her home, Melania Trump stepped out in a Monique
01:46Lillier dress for one of her first outings in the Washington, D.C. social scene, and
01:51the look did not disappoint. While attending the annual gala at Ford's Theater in early
01:56June, Melania opted for a gold silk dress by the designer that featured a delicate pleat
02:01and draped detailed back.
02:03The dress fit the first lady beautifully, and she topped off the stunning look with
02:07a pair of Manolo Blahnik heels that complemented the color of the dress to a T. As noted by
02:12The Observer, the designer dress set the first lady back $2,595, and since Manolo Blahnik
02:19pumps start at around $660, we can safely assume that this outfit is well out of our
02:25price range.
02:27It was the hat seen around the world. While hosting French President Emmanuel Macron and
02:32his wife Brigitte, Melania Trump dazzled in a white suit and hat and had the internet
02:37buzzing about the outfit shortly after. The white hat was designed by Hervé Pierre, and
02:42the look also featured a blazer and skirt suit from the Michael Kors collection. The
02:47classy look cost the following. The suit alone was $2,195.
02:53Melania paired the crisp look with a pair of 4.7-inch heels from the iconic shoe mogul
02:57Christian Louboutin that cost $745, as noted by The New York Times.
03:03The internet was quick to draw comparisons to pop culture moments that featured a prominent
03:08bold hat. Some users on Twitter pointed out the similarities to Beyoncé's Formation music
03:13video in which she wore a wide-brim hat. Others drew parallels to the political drama
03:18Scandal and its main character Olivia Pope, who was known for wearing the white hat in
03:23Washington, D.C. Still others couldn't help but compare Melania's bold look to Carmen
03:28San Diego's.
03:30For the inaugural ball in 2017, Melania Trump was dressed by Hervé Pierre, and her literally
03:36priceless dress did not disappoint. Modern and timeless, the silk column gown with a
03:41bold, ruffled accentuation was easily the star of the show.
03:46Melania donated the gown to the National Museum of American History, where it is featured
03:50along with other dresses worn as part of the First Ladies collection. Pierre attended the
03:55donation ceremony in October 2017 and said that Melania knew what she wanted to look
04:00like on that very special day. He explained in an interview with The New York Times,
04:04She didn't want a big ball gown. She wanted something sleek, ivory, vanilla. It had to
04:10be really, really right because it was going to be part of history, part of this country's
04:14history, but also part of what I will have achieved on Earth. He added that he's designed
04:18countless dresses, but believes this one is the most memorable.
04:23"...so beautiful. Like from a movie set, so beautiful."
04:28We love a deconstructed, subtle Halloween look, and Melania Trump channeled a timeless
04:33movie with this outfit in 2018. As children stopped by the White House at Trigger Treat,
04:39Melania wore a checked wool coat from designer Bottega Veneta that was as classy as it was
04:44evocative of a truly iconic movie, Clueless. The yellow plaid design was unmistakably similar
04:49to Cher's Dolce & Gabbana plaid skirt suit from the film, and while the First Lady chose
04:55a different designer for her look, the subtle nod to the film was not missed.
05:00Melania's single-breasted coat, part of Veneta's Fall 2018 collection, featured impeccable
05:05tailoring and a sharply pleated back, according to Net-a-Porter. So how much did this look
05:10cost? Hold on to your hats. This Clueless-evoking coat cost a whopping $3,950.
05:19What a First Lady chooses to wear during the inauguration is the talk of the town, and
05:24Melania Trump was clearly aware of that when choosing this look for the swearing-in ceremony.
05:29Joe Z., the editor-in-chief of Yahoo Style, told Good Morning America,
05:33"...Ralph Lauren was definitely at the top of the list, but there were also several European
05:38designers. I think it would have been a big mistake for her to appear for the first time
05:42at the inauguration in a non-American designer."
05:45The custom cashmere powder blue suit was a hit, and Melania looked elegant and sophisticated.
05:50The outfit featured a turtleneck dress and a fitted crop jacket, and the First Lady finished
05:55the look with color-coordinated gloves, high heels, and a small clutch handbag. The ensemble
06:00instantly drew parallels to Jackie Kennedy.
06:03"...and I know everyone's saying, oh, it's a copy of Jackie Kennedy. They both were wearing
06:08what was a modern take on a classic at the respective time."
06:13While the actual price of this expensive look wasn't disclosed, dresses from Ralph Lauren
06:17can cost as much as $12,000 on the designer's website, and custom pieces likely cost quite
06:24a bit more.
06:25Nothing beats a well-tailored coat, and Melania Trump proved that while traveling with her
06:30husband in 2018. The First Lady was spotted exiting Air Force One in Helsinki, Finland
06:35en route to a summit with Vladimir Putin in a wool coat from designer Isud, and we were
06:40instantly struck with fashion envy.
06:43According to USA Today, the heather gray coat has leather detailing on the pockets and is
06:48lined with 100 percent silk. Melania paired the gorgeous coat with a white button-down
06:52blouse, tailored brown trousers, boxy sunglasses, and, surprisingly, brown flats. Known for
06:58her ever-consistent stilettos, Melania's shoe choice was shocking, but the First Lady definitely
07:04struck the balance between chic and travel-friendly with this expensive outfit.
07:08Since the coat was the star of the show, here's the price. And prepare yourselves, as this
07:13article of clothing will not be joining our wardrobes anytime soon. The coat alone cost
07:18$3,995.
07:21It took a minute for Melania Trump and her son, Barron, to join her husband in the White
07:25House. After Donald Trump assumed the presidency, the First Lady stayed in Manhattan until June,
07:31citing her son's schooling as her main priority for delaying the move. But the time finally
07:35came for the Trump family to reunite, and unlike some of us who'd choose cut-off jeans
07:39and an old T-shirt for moving day, Melania opted for a far more sophisticated and expensive
07:45outfit that definitely had our budgets beat.
07:48While walking toward her new home, the First Lady opted for a pair of Bali trousers, a
07:52classic pair of Manolo Blahnik heels, a Dolce & Gabbana blouse, and an Hermes Birkin bag.
07:58Here's the cost breakdown, as noted by Business Insider. The trousers were $575, the heels
08:05were $595, the blouse was at least $100, and to top it all off, the bag was $13,000.
08:13We can't imagine that Melania herself was doing much of the heavy lifting, but she definitely
08:18made moving look classy.
08:21Melania Trump's speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention was controversial. As
08:26people noticed, it was eerily similar to a speech Michelle Obama made years earlier.
08:32"...like, you work hard for what you want in life."
08:36"...that you work hard for what you want in life."
08:40However, others focused on the expensive outfit that Melania chose for the occasion instead.
08:45The First Lady looked striking in a bold white dress by designer Roxanda, and as noted by
08:50Vanity Fair, she didn't work with a designer for the occasion. She simply bought the dress
08:55off of Net-A-Porter herself.
08:57The Margot dress featured a fitted bodice and bell-shaped sleeves, and was made from
09:01a blend of cotton and silk. Net-A-Porter recommended pairing the dress with gold accessories, but
09:07Melania kept the look fairly simple. She rocked her signature middle-part hair and
09:11kept her makeup classic. Get ready for the price. The dress cost $2,190, and Melania
09:18paired it with Christian Louboutin heels.
09:22All eyes were on the Trumps in November of 2016, something that Melania Trump clearly
09:26understood as she dressed to impress. On the evening of the election, the first lady-elect
09:31chose a Ralph Lauren jumpsuit while joining her husband on stage to celebrate his victory.
09:37The outfit was as bold as it was classic, and looking back was a clear indication of
09:41what clothes Melania would opt to wear as first lady.
09:45As noted by ABC News at the time, the jumpsuit featured a dynamic silhouette and a one-shoulder
09:50neckline. The expensive outfit sold for $4,000 at the Bergdorf Goodman department store and
09:55was worn with pride by the first lady. Melania paired it with her classic middle-part hairstyle,
10:01simple makeup, and a radiant smile fit for the occasion.
10:05While attending her husband's first joint address to Congress, Melania Trump stunned
10:09in a Michael Kors suit, garnering both positive and negative reviews on social media. As noted
10:14by Vanity Fair, the first lady's expensive outfit featured a cinched and belted waistline
10:19and dozens of dazzling beads.
10:22From the 2017 Michael Kors Spring Collection, the suit set the first lady back $9,590, but
10:29the price was hardly the subject of the criticism she received. Some people took to Twitter
10:34and said that the choice was far too flashy and inappropriate for the halls of Congress,
10:39while others rushed to her defense, calling the suit bold. Either way, the price tag is
10:43what has us freaking out.
10:45Michael Kors discussed the outfit after the occasion, telling Vanity Fair,
10:49"...Mrs. Trump has been a longtime client at our New York boutique. She has a keen understanding
10:54of what works best for her and her lifestyle. My embroidered black suit reflects the streamlined
10:59glamour that she is known for."
11:01The black suit, appropriate for the occasion or not, was simply gorgeous.
11:07We saved one of Melania Trump's most expensive looks for last. While attending the White
11:12House Historical Association dinner in 2017, Melania opted for a glimmering sequin gown
11:17by designer Monique Lillier and looked just as radiant as the dress itself. Having been
11:22spotted earlier in the day wearing a pair of jeans and sneakers, the first lady quickly
11:26changed into the expensive outfit indicative of her elite Manhattan life before the White
11:31House.
11:32The floor-length embellished gown was made from chiffon fabric and featured a sheer,
11:36cape-like design, as noted by InStyle. Melania paired the look with her classic middle part
11:42and soft waves and opted to keep her makeup clean and subtle. The look was as classy as
11:46it was expensive, so get ready for the price tag.
11:49The Monique Lillier gown set the first lady back $7,995 and, at the time, was available
11:57for purchase from the Bergdorf Goodman department store.
12:02Melania Trump has been the subject of intense media coverage ever since her husband started
12:07campaigning for the presidency, especially when it comes to her clothes. What outfits
12:12should the first lady have reconsidered? Wonder no more. Here are some of the most inappropriate
12:17outfits ever worn by Melania Trump.
12:21Talk about a price tag that makes our eyes pop out of our heads. After arriving in Sicily
12:26to attend the G7 Summit in 2017, Melania shocked the world with her jacket of choice, a floral
12:33embroidered look from designer Dolce & Gabbana. The actual jacket itself looked beautiful
12:39and the ensemble was very sleek. So what was inappropriate about it? The cost.
12:44As was noted by the New York Times, the jacket set the first lady back $51,500. Yes, you
12:52heard that correctly. The jacket, described as having a 3D flower kind of look, wasn't
12:57even available in stores when the first lady wore it to the summit, at least not for anyone
13:02we'd call a casual shopper. If you wanted to snag the jacket while it was available,
13:07you had to put down a cool deposit of $25,750. Don't mind us while we hyperventilate just
13:15thinking about it. Melania finished the look with a column dress, heels, and a purse valued
13:21at $1,630. Just to put the price in perspective, the average teacher's yearly salary in the
13:28United States is less than $60,000.
13:33Melania Trump has caught some flack for a number of her appearances, but few were as
13:38controversial as her outfit choices while on a trip to Africa. The first lady stopped
13:43in Ghana, Malawi, Kenya, and Egypt, traveling with the United States Agency for International
13:49Development. But regardless of her reasons for being there, it was her colonial pith
13:53helmet and safari-inspired style that caught international attention. For one leg of her
13:59In Egypt, Melania opted for a cream-colored suit with a white shirt, a black tie, and
14:04a fetching white fedora that drew comparisons to everything from Out of Africa to Raiders
14:10of the Lost Ark.
14:11"...almost regret it."
14:13But that wasn't all Melania packed for this trip that caught people's eyes. During a safari
14:18tour in Kenya, she made the unfortunate decision to wear a hat with a striking resemblance
14:23to a white pith helmet. Widely taken as a symbol for colonial exploitation of Africa
14:28during the 19th and 20th centuries, it was widely regarded as a poor choice at best,
14:34and Melania was criticized for being either completely unaware of the look's historical
14:39implications, or for not seeing her suggestive outfit choices as a big deal at all.
14:44"...I wish people would focus on what I do, not what I wear."
14:48First ladies are known for choosing important social causes to champion. Melania Trump's
14:53predecessor, Michelle Obama, focused on providing healthy meals to children and established
14:58the White House's Vegetable Garden. In perhaps a show of political friendship, Melania Trump
15:03kept the garden operating after Obama's time as first lady came to an end. But after a
15:08photo op in September 2017, she came under some serious fire for what some called a less
15:14than appropriate gardening outfit.
15:17As noted by CNN, the first lady hosted a group of 10 kids from D.C.'s Boys and Girls Club
15:22of America for a harvesting event, but it was her outfit that received attention. Melania
15:27opted for a Balmain plaid shirt that cost over $1,000 and paired it with a pair of Converse
15:33sneakers that were out-of-the-box clean. The internet was quick to point out the out-of-touch
15:38outfit option. One thing is clear, stick to your grubby shorts and overused sneakers while
15:44playing in the dirt.
15:46Melania hit the White House garden in August 2018 to help plant an Eisenhower-era oak tree
15:52sapling. But again, it was her outfit that stole the show — and not for the right reasons.
15:58Instead of opting for flats to avoid sinking into the ground and a pair of jeans she wouldn't
16:03mind getting dirty, Melania wore a $4,000 floral skirt from Valentino and finished the
16:09look with a pair of 4-inch Christian Louboutin stiletto heels, which easily would have cost
16:14her $745. The whole outfit felt out of touch, especially when she showed off her gold-colored
16:21ceremonial shovel.
16:23Melania Trump is a fan of stilettos, but like most things, the expense of pumps have a time
16:29and a place. But that doesn't seem to be a sentiment that the first lady shares because
16:33she opted for a pair of high, pencil-thin heels while traveling to the areas devastated
16:39by Hurricane Harvey in 2017. The first lady is most often seen in heels, but her footwear
16:45choice while visiting a region that had gotten 30 inches of rain was not taken by most critics
16:51as an appropriate option. She paired the footwear with an outfit that honestly would have fit
16:56the bill if she had been wearing a pair of sturdy boots. The first lady must have gotten
17:00the memo that her shoes were not a celebrated look because she changed while on her way
17:05into a pair of far more sensible shoes and a baseball cap.
17:10All eyes were on the Trumps during the 2020 Republican National Convention, and although
17:14the night gave us one of the most awkward Melania Trump moments, it also gave us another
17:19inappropriate outfit. As noted by GQ, Melania opted for an army green-colored military jacket
17:26that featured an edgy, dynamic silhouette and a matching pencil skirt. The look was
17:31from designer Alexander McQueen's Resort 2020 collection, and the jacket alone set the first
17:36lady back $2,450.
17:39But the large price tag wasn't the aspect of the look that was deemed inappropriate.
17:44It was Melania's choice to wear a design indicative of the military-style looks often rocked by
17:50dictators. As noted by The Cut, the designer outfit would've probably not been a big deal
17:55if anyone else had worn it, but Melania Trump's choice to wear such a look while standing
18:00at a podium situated in front of a line of American flags was an optic that didn't look
18:05great.
18:07While speaking to the United Nations General Assembly about cyberbullying, Melania Trump
18:12brought up the topic of children's hunger across the world.
18:15No child should ever feel hungry, stalked, frightened, terrorized, bullied, isolated,
18:21or afraid, with nowhere to turn. We must teach each child the values of empathy and communication
18:26that are at the core of the kindness, mindfulness, integrity, and leadership which can only be
18:32taught by example.
18:34Sound advice, but people were quick to point out the first lady's hypocrisy. For the event,
18:39Melania chose a $2,950 fuchsia pink dress from designer Del Pozo. So while speaking
18:45about childhood hunger, the outfit made her look completely out of touch.
18:51The first lady's choice of leather leggings for an outing in December 2018 caused a notable
18:56stir, not because of the slim fit or the silhouette, but because the leggings were so close to
19:01her skin color that it looked like she wasn't wearing pants at all. At first glance, it
19:07appeared as though Melania was walking hand-in-hand with her husband while wearing only a green
19:12minidress — a bold option considering that it was winter at the time in Washington, D.C.
19:17But at a closer look, commentators realized that she was wearing a pair of tan leather
19:22leggings. The illusion, however, fooled a lot of people on the internet.
19:27Melania Trump is responsible for the White House Christmas decorations, and her outfit
19:32during the 2019 unveiling did not please one critic — specifically, the coat she
19:37wore over her shoulders during the big reveal. Robin Givhan, critic-at-large for The Washington
19:42Post, shared her thoughts on what she described as Melania's inappropriate look, and pointed
19:48to a sense of disconnect between the first lady and the public.
19:51Givhan wrote,
19:52"[The coat looks ridiculous, but more than a silly fashion foley, the coat is a distraction.
19:57It's a discomforting affectation taken to a ludicrous extreme. In a video that is intended
20:03to celebrate the warmth and welcoming spirit of the holiday season, that simple flourish
20:07exudes cold, dismissive aloofness."
20:10Givhan was onto something, because it was revealed in October 2020 that Melania had
20:14some choice words about being responsible for the White House's Christmas look.
20:18Melania Trump's fashion choices caused a stir from the beginning of her time as first
20:33lady, and her outfit option for the official White House portrait was not hailed as an
20:38appropriate one. Melania opted for a sharp, well-fitted black blazer and soft makeup for
20:44But what captured the negative attention was her choice to wear her $3 million, 25-carat
20:50diamond ring as a part of her official portrait.
20:54Wow, that's expensive."
20:56Donald Trump gifted the ring to his wife for their 10th anniversary, and it was the price
21:00that put critics in a bind. Many said that it was inappropriate for the first lady to
21:05wear such a ring that could pay for programs that the president planned on cutting in his
21:10proposed federal budget, like Meals on Wheels and other social programs.
21:15But Melania Trump wasn't the only first lady to be criticized for her White House portrait.
21:20Michelle Obama came under serious fire for opting for a sleeveless dress while posing
21:24for her photo, so it looks like perhaps no first lady is going to please everyone.
21:31"...incredible evening before it even starts because people, they wanted to contribute
21:37to a cause of making America great again."
21:39On April 6th, the president attended a right-wing star-studded soiree in Palm Beach, Florida,
21:44raking in $50 million. Melania has the internet buzzing about her pricey jumpsuit.
21:49"...which is like about twice what Biden raised two weeks ago."
21:53A sum his staff called record-breaking for a single campaign event. The night wasn't
21:57just about political power plays, it was also a family affair.
22:00"...are you going to return to the campaign trail with your husband? Stay tuned."
22:05Melania Trump, the enigmatic former first lady, made a rare appearance at her husband's
22:09side.
22:10"...we have not seen much of her on the campaign trail."
22:12Her absence on the trail has fueled speculation about her desire for privacy, for herself
22:16and her son Barron. The former FLOTUS strutted into the fundraiser wearing a long-sleeved
22:20purple Valentino jumpsuit adorned with an oversized floral print on the sleeves and
22:25lower legs. While it didn't break the bank like her $96,000 wedding gown, it certainly
22:29didn't come cheap, either, with a retail price of nearly $7,000. Some fashionistas applauded
22:35her boldness, while others wondered if she should've stuck to her privacy policy instead.
22:39Humorist Paul Rudnick couldn't resist a dig on X, posting side-by-side pictures of Melania
22:44and an old pattern kit of 70s floral housecoats.
22:47People ask what Melania's been doing. She's been making her own clothes. Followers agreed,
22:51with one posting,
22:52"...she had the choice of a bedspread or the dining room curtains."
22:55Though she's normally the picture of high style, Melania has made some outrageous fashion
22:59choices in her life that drew unwanted attention. She was the only former first lady not to
23:04wear black to Rosalynn Carter's funeral, though her gray ensemble was appropriately conservative.
23:09She donned a pricey Balmain flannel shirt to do some gardening at the White House. By
23:13comparison, Melania's splashy jumpsuit seems tame.
23:16Still, that didn't stop the snarkers on X, who made comparisons to shower curtains, Goodwill
23:20donations, a polyester Walmart monstrosity, and, as one follower slammed, a God-awful
23:25ugly, formless thrift store tablecloth. One commenter pointed out the irony of Donald
23:30Trump's recent fundraising efforts, which include selling Bibles featuring copies of
23:34the Constitution and other political documents, in an attempt to appeal to Christian voters.
23:38"...we must protect content that is pro-God. We love God."
23:43That poster wrote,
23:44"...Trump begs his MAGA donors for their very last $5."
23:47But Melania wears a $6,900 Valentino romper to their billionaire dinner. And another sharp-eyed
23:53observer noted Melania's outfit was the same one Awkwafina wore to a movie screening in
23:572019.
23:58Talk about some odd couple twinning, but one Trump critic actually gave Melania an A+.
24:03Not overly made up, not revealing, not clinging to every curve, compare what she has on to
24:08the typical woman at Mar-a-Lago who looks like she broke into the performers' dressing
24:11room at Illusion's Drag and got away with the gaudy collection.
24:14"...the president would never do a party that wasn't the best."
24:20From typical 90s get-ups to White House couture, and all the controversies in between, the
24:25former first lady's looks have taken us on quite the journey.
24:29Born in Slovenia in 1970, Melania Trump was determined to escape to a better life. After
24:34being told by a street photographer that she had what it took to become a model, she moved
24:38to New York in 1996 in pursuit of the runway and the American dream. Two years later, she
24:44met Donald Trump at a Fashion Week party. He was instantly smitten and pursued her despite
24:49having a date at the time. Though she rejected his advances at first, she eventually gave
24:53him a call and they went on their first date at the popular nightclub Moomba.
24:57During the early days of their courtship, Melania sported dark chestnut locks and quintessentially
25:0290s pencil brows. She was also far less polished and refined than she would later become, as
25:08she paired her slinky, satin babydoll dress with a simple lace clutch and sandals.
25:14As her relationship with Donald Trump blossomed, there was a noticeable shift in Melania's
25:18wardrobe. In 1999, she began appearing more put-together, as she donned chic little black
25:23dresses at glitzy events. Her hair also appeared more controlled, as she showcased sleek ironed
25:29locks. It was still the 90s, after all.
25:31That same year, Melania sat down with ABC News for one of her first high-profile interviews,
25:37as she declared that she could see her new beau being a great president. As she put it,
25:41He's very smart. He knows how to do business. He would be a great leader."
25:45And when asked about her aspirations as a potential first lady, Melania responded,
25:49I would be very traditional, like Jackie Kennedy."
25:55Though she had dreams of becoming a first lady, Melania actually split up from Donald
25:59Trump in January 2000, as he was making a bid for the presidency. However, they appeared
26:04to be in the midst of reconciling just weeks later.
26:07During this time, Melania's style shifted once again, appearing less monochromatic and
26:11more playful. At the VH1 Vogue Fashion Awards, she sported messy beach waves and a vibrant
26:17maxi dress with a pattern resembling mermaid scales. During an interview with DuJour, Melania
26:22revealed that the campaign trail drew a wedge between her and Donald. As she put it,
26:27That was part of it. We were apart for a few months, not long. We got back together. He
26:31was always thinking about it. But he loved what he did. He had his business. He was not
26:35saying,
26:36Now is the time.
26:38Having obtained her green card in 2001, Melania Trump was settling into life in the United
26:42States in the early 2000s. Her modeling work was also flourishing. In 2002, she appeared
26:48on the cover of New York Magazine, recreating the iconic VJ Day in Times Square photograph
26:53in an homage to the firefighters who risked their lives in the wake of the 9-11 attacks.
26:58Melania was also adopting the styles of the era. Fur made a major comeback at the start
27:03of the decade, and she was game for seizing this popular, albeit controversial, trend.
27:08At a Victoria's Secret fashion show in 2002, she gave mob wife vibes in an extremely oversized
27:13fur coat layered over a slinky black slip dress.
27:17In January 2005, Melania and Donald Trump tied the knot in Palm Beach at a ceremony
27:23attended by everyone from Shaquille O'Neal to Hillary Clinton. The bride wore a $187,000
27:29Dior dress that took 1,000 hours to assemble, and appeared on the cover of Vogue in a bridal
27:34spread. Following her nuptials, Melania was enjoying A-list status and appeared at the
27:39Met Gala that spring. She stepped out on the red carpet in a black satin Alexander McQueen
27:44gown that hugged her figure. The white train and her updo were both giving off swan vibes.
27:49Years later, this retro updo would become a defining staple of her first lady looks.
27:55Melania Trump has had her fair share of fashion faux pas through the years. In 2008, for example,
28:00she appeared at the premiere of the Sex and the City movie in a white smock dress that
28:04missed the mark. The unflattering number was paired with an oversized beaded necklace,
28:09which was the style at the time. The clunky styling and inexplicable addition of zebra-print
28:14heels made this outfit a bit of a dud.
28:16But perhaps Melania had other things on her mind besides fashion. Two years earlier, she
28:21gave birth to her first child, Barron Trump. When she was asked in a 2008 Vanity Fair profile
28:26if she was planning on having any more children, she responded,
28:29"...I already have two."
28:32By 2010, Melania Trump's wardrobe had shifted to the graceful aesthetic that has since become
28:37her signature. While attending that year's Ace Awards, she rocked a sparkly, figure-hugging
28:42black gown and a vintage updo, while accessorizing with diamond jewelry.
28:46Also that year, Melania sat down with New York Magazine to discuss her favorite Big
28:51Apple pastimes. Ironically enough, she revealed that she and her husband had recently seen
28:55Green Day's American Idiot musical on Broadway and thoroughly enjoyed it. The musical and
29:00the album that it's based on were written as a protest against former President George
29:04W. Bush, and was later tweaked to reflect the Trump administration.
29:08It was an unusual admission from the future first lady, considering that Donald had changed
29:13his political allegiance from Democratic to Republican the previous year.
29:18By 2016, Donald Trump's presidential bid was underway, and Melania was gaining significant
29:23media attention for her fashion. Throughout her husband's campaign, she was decked out
29:27in elegant attire, signifying a noteworthy shift in her style from snazzy New Yorker
29:32about town to demure politician's wife. At the Republican National Convention, for example,
29:37she donned a white shift dress with extravagant puff sleeves.
29:41The ensemble, which Melania put together without the help of a stylist, was made by
29:45Serbian designer Roksanda Ilincic. As Beth Dink of Charleston, a professor of fashion
29:50history and expert on first lady style, explained to Elle,
29:54"...her style has matured. I think it's gotten a little more in line with what we think of
29:57as first lady style. I don't think we'll ever see her in those baby doll dresses she used
30:02to wear."
30:03However, Melania has denied that she had altered her fashion sense to suit first lady sensibilities.
30:16As she insisted to Elle,
30:17"...my style has stayed pretty consistent over the years. I always wear what I like
30:21and what is appropriate for the occasion."
30:24In January 2017, Donald Trump was sworn in as president. While his inauguration speech
30:29proved to be controversial, his wife was praised for her stunning outfit. Its pastel softness
30:35was deemed a welcome contrast to the abrasiveness of the red MAGA hats. Melania channeled Jackie
30:40Kennedy in a duck egg blue suit with matching gloves and another updo. She also showcased
30:45one of the most iconic names in American fashion for this inauguration look, Ralph Lauren.
30:50But unlike Jackie O, who was a devoted career girl, Melania appeared very much the dutiful
30:55wife to her presidential husband.
30:58Melania later turned heads in her inaugural gown, a cream, off-the-shoulder number by
31:02Hervé Pierre. As Pierre divulged to The New York Times, she didn't want a big ballgown.
31:07She wanted something sleek, ivory, vanilla. It had to be really, really right because
31:11it was going to be part of history.
31:14As her time as first lady came to an end, Melania Trump's style became increasingly
31:19traditionalist. While giving a speech at the 2020 Republican National Convention to advocate
31:23for her husband's re-election, she looked unusually austere in a military green suit.
31:28But in an unusual move, and in stark contrast to her stoic appearance, she spoke about the
31:33devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
31:36I know many people are anxious and some feel helpless. I want you to know you're not alone."
31:45Stylist Naina Singla told Express that Melania had become noticeably more conservative since
31:50entering the White House, and that this was reflected in her outfits. As Singla explained,
31:55she used to wear more form-fitting dresses, baby doll dresses, plunging necklines, and
31:59miniskirts. But now we would not see her wearing such styles. She dropped her hemline since
32:04becoming the first lady, and she wears more pants and pantsuits. Her look is more polished
32:09and professional.
32:10By 2021, Melania Trump was out of the White House and back to civilian life. Though she
32:15left her post with one of the worst popularity ratings of any first lady in recent history,
32:21her wardrobe largely evaded criticism, with the notable exception of the green Zara jacket.
32:26Having reportedly spent over $1 million on clothing during her tenure, she left an indelible
32:31legacy of first lady looks. The online magazine Slate even argued that her wardrobe was the
32:36best thing about the Trump presidency.
32:38In the summer of 2021, Melania was snapped during an outing with her son Barron. They
32:43were both wearing jeans and carrying handbags as they headed out of Trump Tower. While not
32:47as playful as her baby doll ensembles, she appeared far less austere in a casual shirt
32:52and jeans combo.
32:54In the years that have followed her first lady stint, Melania Trump has been showcasing
32:58her flair for understated street style in the midst of personal turmoil. In 2023, she
33:03looked solemn as she headed to Trump Tower following her husband's 37-count indictment
33:08pertaining to the storage of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago resort.
33:12Despite these setbacks, Melania still made sure to make an impression with her outfit,
33:17styling a black sweater over a tan midi skirt and accessorized with two-tone ballet flats
33:22and a classic Chanel purse. She embodied old-money Manhattanite chic as she breezed through the
33:27city. It was the sort of outfit that wouldn't have looked out of place on an old-school
33:31influencer attending Fashion Week.
33:34Melania has been keeping a notable distance from her husband on the 2024 campaign trail,
33:38though she did make a surprise appearance at a polling station in Palm Beach, Florida
33:42in March. She continued to push the fashion envelope by wearing an Alexander McQueen white
33:47shirt dress with a large graphic floral motif. It reportedly cost a princely $2,690. It was
33:55a bold and unconventional outfit for the often-conservatively dressed Melania. Some observers speculated
34:00that her choice of attire carried a hidden meaning by signifying a transition away from
34:04her guarded public persona.
34:06Meanwhile, The Telegraph argued that she was simply keeping up with the trends, and the
34:10floral number was her way of embracing the so-called Florida Flash aesthetic, as seen
34:15on the Apple TV Plus show Palm Royale.
34:19Melania Trump is hardly a stranger to controversy, but these shocking outfit choices really took
34:26the cake.
34:27Near the end of 2023, former first lady Rosalyn Carter died. As is custom, all the living
34:33women who have held or currently hold the position attend Carter's memorial service.
34:39That's Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, Melania Trump, and Jill Biden. And
34:44all the first ladies were dressed in black for the occasion, except for Melania.
34:49Rather than wear the typical morning color, Melania attended Carter's memorial in a gray
34:54coat. Her outfit of choice sparked a spell of backlash. One user on X, formerly Twitter,
35:01said,
35:02"'Notice how this clueless clown stands out among the sea of black?'
35:05That's not to say everyone on the social media outlet found Melania's choice to be
35:09quite so egregious. Some ex-users maintained that it's entirely appropriate to wear gray
35:15to a funeral, and others pointed out that Carter herself wore brown and white instead
35:20of black to Richard Nixon's funeral. One etiquette expert weighed in on the polarizing ensemble.
35:26Diane Gottesman told Newsweek,
35:28"...her choice of outfit was conservative and respectful. People are looking watchfully
35:33to find something to criticize, even when the criticism is not warranted, which probably
35:38has more to do with other issues rather than Melania's outfit."
35:42In late August 2017, Hurricane Harvey devastated southern Texas. As most presidents do in the
35:49wake of a natural disaster, then-President Donald Trump and then-First Lady Melania Trump
35:54traveled to the Lone Star State to survey the damage and meet with affected locals.
35:59When Melania and her husband left the White House for the disaster site, however, she
36:04opted to wear a pair of stilettos. Many citizens found her choice impractical and out of touch,
36:10and some even suggested she was unaware of why she was traveling. One ex-user said,
36:15"...she does know she's going to a natural disaster, right? Not sure four-inch heels
36:20is the most appropriate footwear."
36:22By the time the Trumps landed in Texas, Melania had changed into a pair of sneakers. Still,
36:28the damage had already been done. In response, Melania's then-communications director, Lindsey
36:33Reynolds, said,
36:34"...it's sad that we have an active and ongoing natural disaster in Texas and people are worried
36:39about her shoes."
36:41In 2018, Donald Trump delivered his first State of the Union address. For these occasions,
36:47elected lawmakers from across the country and other state officials gather at the U.S. Capitol
36:52Building, and it's tradition for the first lady to attend, too.
36:56That year, a large group of female lawmakers wore black to the State of the Union in support
37:01of the MeToo movement. Representative Debbie Dingell told Glamour,
37:05"...black has become the color of solidarity for women in the country right now to show
37:10this movement is real. Every person needs to feel safe at work, and we've got to look
37:14forward to how we do that and how we really change the climate."
37:18However, Melania Trump caused quite a stir when she arrived at the State of the Union
37:22wearing white.
37:24Many people wondered if Melania's color choice was a protest against the MeToo movement.
37:29She has never publicly commented on why she picked out an all-white ensemble, but she
37:33has stated her thoughts on the movement.
37:36"...we need to be concerned for all of them, not just boys or girls. I think for all of
37:44them."
37:45The year following her all-white moment at the State of the Union, Melania Trump did
37:50the exact opposite. Melania's decision to wear all black at the State of the Union address
37:55stood in stark opposition to other female lawmakers who wore white in honor of the suffragette
38:01movement. At the time, Representative Louis Frankel told Glamour,
38:05"...it's about sending a positive message that Democrats are fighting for the people
38:09by promoting economic security for women and families."
38:13While her stepdaughter Tiffany Trump also wore white, Melania showed up in a black Burberry
38:19Once again, many people took issue with Melania's outfit, even speculating about whether or
38:24not she was sending a message about the female lawmakers. Others wondered if her outfit was
38:29inspired by her stance on Brexit, given that she was wearing an English brand.
38:34According to Hervé Pierre, Melania's stylist, the outfit was not supposed to send a message,
38:39nor were any of her other outfits. She told WWD,
38:43As long as I find the right outfit, the designer is almost irrelevant. Afterwards, social media
38:49will go on about Brexit or whatever. On my side, believe me, I don't think of it, because
38:55I don't have time to do that.
38:57It's no secret that the Trumps are wealthy people. Donald Trump reportedly boasts an
39:02estimated $2.6 billion net worth, while Melania Trump is said to hold an estimated $50 million
39:09separate from her husband. Basically, they can afford to buy just about anything they
39:13could want, and it seems that they do.
39:16In 2017, however, Melania might have taken this to something of an extreme. While on
39:21a state visit to Italy for the G7 summit, Melania walked through Sicily in a Dolce & Gabbana
39:27dress that cost $51,500. At the time, onlookers were upset about Melania's choice of jacket
39:35of its staggering price. In 2017, the median salary of an American woman was $41,977. Again,
39:45the Trump family has never tried to be relatable, but for some, this costly garment was a bridge
39:50too far.
39:51In 2021, the jacket re-entered the conversation when Vice President Kamala Harris was criticized
39:57for shelling out $500 on kitchen accessories while in Paris. In response to this criticism,
40:03one ex-user said,
40:05"[Fox News, in 2017, Melania Trump wore this $51,500 Dolce & Gabbana jacket to a visit
40:12with G7 leaders. Please don't talk to me about Kamala Harris spending $500 on cookware."
40:19An ill-timed jacket set off a firestorm of controversy. Donald Trump defended it publicly,
40:25but what did he say behind closed doors?
40:28Melania Trump hasn't been immune to an inappropriate outfit or two over the years, but there's
40:32one in particular that reportedly got under her husband's skin. Political watchers will
40:37likely remember the seriously inappropriate jacket she wore back in June 2018, which had
40:42the phrase,
40:43"'I really don't care, do you?' written across the back."
40:46The then-First Lady wore the piece during a trip to Texas, where she was visiting families
40:51affected by migrant detention centers. In the 2024 book American Woman, the transformation
40:57of the modern First Lady, from Hillary Clinton to Jill Biden, Katie Rogers, The New York
41:02Times' White House correspondent, claimed Donald Trump was seriously unhappy about his
41:06wife sporting the item, so much so that he didn't hold back on his wife or her press
41:11secretary, Stephanie Grisham.
41:13According to Rogers, Grisham later recalled that Trump summoned the two of them to his
41:17office, yelled at them, and then decided that the official explanation for the jacket would
41:22be that Melania was speaking directly to the media. Grisham previously wrote about the
41:26jacket and her tense meeting with the Trumps to discuss it in her 2021 book, I'll Take
41:31Your Questions Now. Back then, she claimed Donald Trump asked the two of them amid the
41:36intense media scrutiny,
41:37"...what the hell were you thinking?"
41:40Melania Trump's green Zara jacket no doubt caused serious controversy all over the world,
41:44but there were mixed messages at the time about exactly why she'd worn it, and many
41:48questioned her intentions.
41:50"'Does Melania Trump really care?' Journalist Julia Reinstein wrote on X that a statement
41:56from the then-First Lady's spokesperson claimed that her decision to wear the controversial
42:00slogan wasn't intentional. The statement read,
42:03"'After today's important visit to Texas, I hope the media isn't going to choose to
42:07focus on her wardrobe.'"
42:09Stephanie Grisham also tweeted about the jacket on the day her boss wore it, writing,
42:13"...if media would spend their time and energy on her actions and efforts to help kids, rather
42:18than speculate and focus on her wardrobe, we could get so much accomplished on behalf
42:22of children."
42:23Grisham also included the telling hashtags,
42:26However, Donald Trump clearly wasn't happy with that explanation. He tweeted about the
42:32clothing following Grisham's explanation, writing,
42:35"'I really don't care do you' written on the back of Melania's jacket refers to the fake
42:40news media. Melania has learned how dishonest they are and she truly no longer cares."
42:45The social media post seemingly came after his reported crisis meeting with the duo.
42:50Melania Trump herself spoke about the controversial jacket four months later. Appearing on ABC
42:55News, Trump claimed she'd only intended to wear the jacket getting on and off the plane,
42:59not while visiting the children. She also confirmed there was a target for the slogan.
43:03"...and it was for the people and for the left-wing media who are criticizing me."
43:10But Stephanie Grisham had a different take on what really happened. In her book, Grisham
43:15wrote she didn't know there was a message on Trump's jacket until they were on the plane.
43:19After headlines began popping up while they were en route, Grisham recalled Trump suggesting
43:23they put a cross through the word don't. But knowing the photos were already out there,
43:28Grisham told her not to wear the jacket when she deboarded.
43:31Trump didn't take Grisham's advice, though, reportedly believing it would make her look
43:34like she, quote, "'did something wrong.'"
43:36Trump, as we know, ended up wearing the jacket, and the two decided to defend her fashion.