WASHINGTON — New U.S. first lady Melania Trump stepped out in a Ralph Lauren baby-blue jacket and matching dress today, choosing one of America's most iconic designers for Inauguration Day ceremonies.
Democrat Hillary Clinton, who lost to Republican Donald Trump in the November elections, also chose Ralph Lauren, and her cream coat and white pantsuit was echoed by the choices of the Trump daughters.
Ivanka Trump, who has her own fashion line, donned a white pantsuit with an asymmetrical cut that was designed by Oscar de la Renta. Tiffany Trump wore a white doubled breasted coast over a white dress.
But the outfit getting most attention today was the red hat with white and blue military style coat worn by Trump's former campaign spokeswoman Kellyanne Conway.
The short, double-breasted Gucci coat had a revolutionary-era look that took social media by storm, evoking comparisons ranging from Paddington Bear to Napoleon and a nutcracker.
Conway's outfit sparked some 28,000 Tweets in three hours.
By contrast, Melania Trump's custom-designed Ralph Lauren outfit, worn with long matching gloves, stiletto shoes, and her long hair swept up in a loose bun, had a 1960s vibe and wowed fashionistas.
Womens Wear Daily said the outfit, with its mock turtle neck, triggered comparisons to the late U.S. first lady and style icon Jacqueline Kennedy.
Style-watchers agreed, posting archive photos of Kennedy in a similar blue outfit for her husband's inauguration in 1961, and giving Trump's outfit a large thumbs-up.
“It was very Jackie,” said Joe Zee, editor in chief of Yahoo Style.
“Melania looks every inch a first lady. So beautiful and classy! I'm proud of her!,” admirer Theodora West wrote on Twitter.
Melania Trump's Inauguration Day outfit had been the cause of much speculation after Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs and other leading designers said publicly they would not dress the former model for her big day because they opposed her husband.
Lauren and his eponymous corporation became synonymous with American style through his preppy line of Polo shirts, casual slacks and shorts in the 1970s and is regarded as one of the most influential designers of the 20th century.
Ironically, Lauren was also the designer of the pantsuits in many colors that became Clinton's signature look. He was also the designer Clinton chose for her own Inauguration Day outfit.
Melania Trump, 46, is the first U.S. first lady to come from the fashion world. She began as a teen model in her native Slovenia and has been featured on the cover of magazines like Vogue and GQ.
Standing 5 feet, 11 inches tall, she tends to favor unfussy dresses in solid colors, tailored coats and killer high heels.
First Published January 20, 2017, 4:32 p.m.
