Published on January 21, 2025 at 11:56 a.m.
©Anna Moneymaker / Pool via CNP
On the occasion of Donald Trump’s inauguration, the new First Lady of the United States opted for a sober look and a hat with a wide visor which hid her eyes. An accessory that gets people talking.
“We came by helicopter. The wind was blowing violently. With the hat she was wearing, she almost flew away,” Donald Trump declared, amused, about his wife in his second inauguration speech. Even he wanted to have a word for his wife’s navy blue and white headgear. Imagined by the American designer Eric Javits, this accessory has never ceased to be talked about as its visor hid half of Melania Trump’s face throughout the inauguration ceremony of the new American president. And to become a real phenomenon on social networks.
-An accessory that owes nothing to chance
Discreet, even secretive, the one who did not live in the White House during Donald Trump’s first term made a sober appearance in a navy blue Adam Lippes ensemble. A choice of outfit far from the joyful silhouettes to which previous First Ladies have accustomed us. We remember Michelle Obama’s pastel yellow suit in 2009 or even Jill Biden’s blue ensemble in 2021. Melania Trump breaks with this stylistic tradition and opts for a measured look, whose sobriety is accentuated by the headgear which hides his gaze. Like armor, it allows her to observe without being seen, which does not escape Internet users.
On “X” and “TikTok”, everyone has their comment. “Melania Trump is hiding under a big hat… What a clever way to avoid the inauguration,” commented one Internet user. Some recall that, during Donald Trump’s first term, Melania Trump’s facial expressions seemed to show signs of exasperation towards her husband. The hat would allow him to prevent the new president from approaching his face. They relay an extract from the day during which he tries to kiss her on the cheek, before giving up, blocked by the boater. The only person she will let kiss her is none other than her 18-year-old son Barron. Enough to multiply “memes”, like this one, which compares the hat of the ex-model to that of Hamburglar, mascot of McDonald’s restaurants.
According to information from “WWD”, Eric Javits was contacted by Hervé Pierre, Melania Trump’s French stylist, a few months ago. Several attempts were necessary, the latter having a precise idea of what she wanted to wear. Ironically, the last First Lady to wear a hat during an inauguration ceremony was none other than Hillary Clinton, opponent of Donald Trump’s first presidential race. It was in 1993, with a headgear to match his coat, in… navy blue, too.
