On Friday, Donald Trump will be sworn in as President of the United States of America. Melania and Ivanka Trump will no doubt be by his side for the occasion, and the question of what they’ll be wearing when they do has come under increased speculation in recent days.
Since James Buchanan’s inauguration in 1857, the first on record known to have been photographed, there have been countless photo opportunities and captured moments, from the swearing-in ceremonies to the many balls and events presidents attend over the course of an inauguration weekend.
The inauguration, of course, signifies the passing of power from one president to the next, but as any Michelle Obama fan can tell you, there are also eyes on style. And not only the first lady’s style, but everyone involved.
It is in that spirit that we present an extensive history of inaugural fashion, from giant gowns to pill box hats to pink coats and everything in between.
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Library of Congress via Getty Images
Mary Todd Lincoln dressed for Abraham Lincoln's inauguration on March 4, 1861
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Mrs. Woodrow Wilson and Mrs. Thomas Marshall riding in inaugural parade on March 4, 1913
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President Calvin Coolidge and his wife, first lady Grace Coolidge leave the White House, Washington D.C. on March 4, 1925. The president holds the bible upon which he will take his inauguration oath.
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Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt (L), Mrs. Woodrow Wilson (C) and Josephus Daniels talking at President Franklin D. Roosevelt's inauguration on Jan. 20, 1945
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Chief Justice Fred Vinson (L) autographing for Shirley Temple (R) at the Presidential Inauguration of Harry S. Truman on Jan. 20, 1949
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Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower attaching an orchid to her dress in preparation for the inaugural ceremonies for her husband on Jan. 20, 1953
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President Dwight D. Eisenhower (2R) and his wife attending his inaugural ball with Vice President Richard M. Nixon (L) and his wife on Jan. 20, 1953
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First lady Mrs. Dwight D. (Mamie) Eisenhower posing in her inaugural ball gown with jeweled purse encrusted with 3,456 pink pearls on Jan. 21, 1953
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Mrs. Thomas Pike (C), at Dwight D. Eisenhower's Inaugural Ball on Jan. 21, 1957
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First lady Mamie Eisenhower poses in a room in the White House in the gown for her husband's second inauguration on Jan. 16, 1957
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Jacqueline Kennedy and her husband, newly elected President John F. Kennedy, on the day of his Inauguration on Jan. 20, 1961
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VP-elect Lyndon Johnson chatting w. President-elect John Kennedy & his wife Jackie at the President's inaugural ball on Jan. 20, 1961
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Spectators at the Inauguration of President John F. Kennedy on Jan. 20, 1961
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Frank Sinatra escorting Jacqueline Kennedy to her box at a gala, held at the National Guard Armory in Washington DC, the night before the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy, on Jan. 19, 1961
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President Lyndon B Johnson and first lady Lady Bird Johnson (right), with President-elect Richard Nixon and Patricia Nixon and family before departing for Inauguration Day ceremonies on Jan. 20, 1969
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President-elect Richard Nixon arrives at Inaugural stand and is greeted by President Lyndon Johnson Jan. 20, 1969 With Nixon is his wife, Pat, and Vice President-elect Spiro T. Agnew.
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NBC News' Hugh Downs and Barbara Walters covering the 1st Presidential inauguration of Richard Nixon on Jan. 20, 1969
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President Gerald Ford and wife Betty during his inauguration on Aug. 9, 1974
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President Gerald R. Ford and first lady Betty Ford pose with President-elect Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn Carter, Margaretta Rockefeller and husband Vice President Nelson A. Rockefeller, Joan Mondale and husband Vice President-elect Walter Mondale prior to departing the White House for the inauguration of Jimmy Carter on Jan. 20, 1977
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David Hume Kennerly via Getty Images
First lady Betty Ford poses with Rosalynn Carter in the Blue Room prior to departing the White House for the Capitol and the inauguration of Jimmy Carter on Jan. 20, 1977
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First lady Nancy Reagan and President Ronald Reagan during Reagan's first inauguration on Jan. 20, 1981
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President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan leave the White House en route to a round of inaugural balls on Jan. 20, 1981. President Reagan wore white tie and tails. The overall cost of Mrs. Reagan's inaugural wardrobe was said to be about $25,000.
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Ronald Reagan dancing with his wife Nancy at his Inaugural Ball on Jan. 20, 1981
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George Bush smiles and waves to participants of his inaugural celebration as Barbara looks on Jan. 20, 1989.
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Hillary and Chelsea Clinton, the wife and daughter of Bill Clinton, attend his inauguration as the 42nd President of the United States on Jan. 20, 1993
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President Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton holding hands, onstage at Kennedy Center inaugural ball on Jan. 20, 1993
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President Bill Clinton holds wife Hillary's hand. Daughter Chelsea Clinton is seated next to her mother.'Tipper' Gore, wife of Vice President Al Gore, is seated next to Chelsea with her daughters on Jan. 20, 1997
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President Bill Clinton and wife Hillary clap their hands at an inaugural ball Jan. 20, 1997
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U.S. President George W. Bush''s twin daughters Barbara, left, and Jenna attend the Florida Presidential Inaugural Ball at the National Building Museum on Jan. 20, 2001
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President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush greet the crowd on Jan. 20, 2001 at the Texas, Wyoming Inaugural Ball.
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President Obama's daughters Malia and Sasha at the beginning of the inauguration on Jan. 20, 2009
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Michelle Obama holds the Lincoln bible as she arrives at the inauguration of Barack Obama Jan. 20, 2009
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U.S President Barack Obama and his wife first lady Michelle Obama dance on stage during MTV & ServiceNation: Live From The Youth Inaugural Ball at the Hilton Washington on Jan. 20, 2009
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Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Dr. Jill Biden attend the Southern Inaugural Ball celebrating the inauguration of President Barack Obama on Jan.20, 2009
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First lady Michelle Obama and daughters, Sasha Obama and Malia Obama arrive during the presidential inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Jan. 21, 2013
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U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama attend the Inaugural Ball at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Jan. 21, 2013
