During the inauguration of President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025, First Lady Melania Trump garnered significant attention for her distinctive fashion choice—a wide-brimmed navy hat that became a focal point of the day’s events. The hat, designed by American milliner Eric Javits, featured a flat top and a white band encircling the crown, complementing her custom double-breasted navy coat and matching skirt by designer Adam Lippes.
The selection of this ensemble marked a departure from Melania’s previous inauguration attire in 2017, where she wore a powder blue outfit by Ralph Lauren, reminiscent of Jacqueline Kennedy’s style. This time, her choice of a darker palette and bold accessories conveyed a more assertive tone. The hat’s wide brim notably obscured her eyes during the ceremony, adding an element of intrigue to her appearance.
The hat’s journey to the inauguration was not without challenges. Initially, the hat arrived damaged due to shipping mishaps, appearing “all crushed” and “like it had been sitting in snow drifts for about a week,” according to Javits. This necessitated the creation of a new hat, which was hand-delivered to ensure its pristine condition for the event.
During the inauguration proceedings, the hat inadvertently became part of a viral moment. As President Trump attempted to kiss Melania upon arrival at the Capitol Rotunda, the hat’s wide brim obstructed the gesture, resulting in an air-kiss that quickly circulated on social media. This incident highlighted the hat’s commanding presence and its impact on interactions throughout the day.
Public reaction to Melania’s hat was mixed. Some praised its elegance and the First Lady’s refined appearance, while others drew comparisons to fictional characters such as Carmen Sandiego, sparking a variety of memes and discussions online. This blend of admiration and satire underscores the subjective nature of fashion interpretation and the diverse perspectives of the public.
In summary, Melania Trump’s choice of the wide-brimmed navy hat for the 2025 inauguration was a significant fashion statement that drew widespread attention. The hat’s design, the challenges surrounding its creation, and the public’s varied reactions all contributed to its prominence during the event. This episode exemplifies how fashion can intersect with public events, eliciting a spectrum of responses and becoming a part of the cultural conversation.
