Melania Trump’s inauguration hat gets people talking – What does it mean?

As Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on January 20, Melania Trump made a bold fashion statement that stirred conversation across social media. Her navy ensemble, topped with a striking wide-brimmed hat, captured attention and raised questions about its significance.

Melania Trump officially stepped into the role of First Lady for the second time as her husband, Donald Trump, began his second term as President. The ceremony, held inside the Capitol Rotunda due to unusually cold weather, marked a fresh start for the couple. Throughout the day, Melania stood by her husband’s side, radiating what experts described as “regal confidence.”

Body language expert Judi James noted a shift in Melania’s demeanor from Donald Trump’s first inauguration in 2017. This time, she exuded a calm but powerful presence. “Her saucer-shaped hat and her fiercely tailored coat twinned her as an equal to Trump and a woman who means business this time around. Beneath the brim, her smile was regal and confident, while her eyes were kept hidden,” James said.

James also observed a notable change in the couple’s dynamic. “As they leave the service, Donald and Melania amplify their clasped hands into a more pronounced display of unity. Trump lifts the clasp higher a few times, almost waving it as they walk towards their car, as though signaling both pride in his wife and a gentlemanly concern for her as they step off the curb,” she told The Mirror.

The hat that stole the show

Melania Trump’s choice of headwear—a navy blue hat designed by Eric Javits—quickly became the center of attention. Javits, known for his artistic approach to millinery, described the opportunity to dress Melania as a career highlight.

“My art background gave me an edge in bringing harmony and balance to the face by creating hat shapes that would flatter and enhance every kind of face,” Javits said in a statement. “In this specific case, that was not difficult to do, in that Mrs. Trump is blessed with great bone structure, beauty and a wonderful sense of style.”

The hat, however, sparked mixed reactions online. While some applauded the bold fashion choice, others mocked it for being overly dramatic. On X (formerly Twitter), one user quipped, “She looks like she’s going to a funeral,” while another joked, “She’s mourning America.”

Despite the backlash, fashion critics suggested that the hat was more than just a style choice. Paired with her navy silk wool coat and ivory blouse by American designer Adam Lippes, the outfit carried an air of formality and professionalism, signaling her readiness to take on the role of First Lady with renewed purpose.

The challenges of dressing a First Lady

Melania Trump’s fashion choices have always been a topic of scrutiny, and her second inauguration was no different. Despite her polished appearance, finding designers willing to dress her remains a challenge.

Over the years, several high-profile designers, including Tom Ford and Marc Jacobs, have openly declined to work with her due to political disagreements with her husband. French designer Hervé Pierre, who has collaborated with Melania in the past, acknowledged this divide within the fashion industry.

“I don’t really do that for the good reason that the fashion industry is not very welcoming [of Trump]. That’s no secret,” Pierre explained to Women’s Wear Daily. “Some are very open-minded and would be able to do something special. But a lot of people are not.”

Pierre also shared how his association with the Trumps has impacted his career. He recalled being told he was “not welcome” in a designer’s store in New York City.

“I understand that you can criticize Mrs. Trump, but to say to someone who is coming to shop—full-price, ‘You are not welcome here.’ That is something that I would have never expected,” he said.

Still, some designers see opportunities in working with Melania. “Some of the designers here in New York are lovely. The Europeans are more open-minded. They see dressing Mrs. Trump, due to the press coverage that she is getting, as a business opportunity to generate sales and free publicity,” Pierre explained.

American designer Adam Lippes, who created Melania’s navy ensemble, celebrated the occasion, saying: “The tradition of the presidential inauguration embodies the beauty of American democracy, and today we had the honor to dress our First Lady. Mrs. Trump’s outfit was created by some of America’s finest craftsmen, and I take great pride in showing such work to the world.”

A different approach to the White House

This time around, Melania appears more prepared to embrace her role in the White House. In a rare interview with Fox, she shared her perspective on balancing her public duties with personal priorities, particularly as her son, Barron, begins college at New York University.

“Obviously he’ll have a bedroom there, but he’s an adult, he’s in college now. I think he will come and visit, yes,” Melania said, adding that she’d love it if he’d bring friends. “Yeah, whatever he would like to do, yes. I feel that as children, we have them till they are 18, 19 years old. We teach them, we guide them, and then we give them the wings to fly. And I always respect Barron’s yes and no, and what he likes to do, where he would like to be.”

A poised but neutral presence

Melania’s overall demeanor during the inauguration also drew attention. Body language expert Inbaal Honigman noted that her behavior this time was “still and neutral.”

“Melania’s body language during the 2025 inauguration is still and neutral,” Inbaal told the Express. “She sits still in her model pose, her facial expression neutral, not drawing any attention to herself, letting all attention be on her husband.”

In comparison, Honigman pointed out that Melania behaved differently at the 2017 inauguration. “Melania of 2017 flashed smiles and waved around, displaying a more friendly persona to the crowds,” he said.

He concluded that Melania’s wide-brimmed hat helped shield her from criticism. “This inauguration’s Melania was protected from criticism by hiding her expression behind a wide-brimmed hat so that she could keep her neutral expression with no issue,” Honigman said.

What’s next for the First Lady?

As the Trumps settle back into life at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, all eyes will remain on Melania—whether it’s her fashion, her public appearances, or her evolving role as First Lady.

What did you think of Melania’s outfit for the inauguration? Did the hat make a bold statement or was it a misstep? Share your thoughts on Facebook!