Stunning Style From Inaugurations Past, To Distract You From This One
From Mary Todd Lincoln to Michelle Obama.
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Jamie Feldman Fashion & Lifestyle Editor, The Huffington Post
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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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Abraham Lincoln's InaugurationLibrary of Congress via Getty ImagesMary Todd Lincoln dressed for Abraham Lincoln's inauguration on March 4, 1861
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Woodrow Wilson's 1st InaugurationCulture Club via Getty ImagesMrs. Woodrow Wilson and Mrs. Thomas Marshall riding in inaugural parade on March 4, 1913
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Calvin Coolidge's InaugurationHulton Archive via Getty ImagesPresident 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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Franklin D. Roosevelt's Final InaugurationGeorge Skadding via Getty ImagesMrs. 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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Harry S. Truman's 2nd InaugurationLisa Larsen via Getty ImagesChief 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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Dwight D. Eisenhower's 1st InaugurationMark Kauffman via Getty ImagesMrs. 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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Dwight D. Eisenhower's 1st Inaugural BallMark Kauffman via Getty ImagesPresident 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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Dwight D. Eisenhower's 2nd Inaugural BallNina Leen via Getty ImagesFirst 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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Dwight D. Eisenhower's 2nd Inaugural BallPaul Schutzer via Getty ImagesMrs. Thomas Pike (C), at Dwight D. Eisenhower's Inaugural Ball on Jan. 21, 1957
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Dwight D. Eisenhower's 2nd Inaugural BallPhotoQuest via Getty ImagesFirst 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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John F. Kennedy's InaugurationPaul Schutzer via Getty ImagesJacqueline Kennedy and her husband, newly elected President John F. Kennedy, on the day of his Inauguration on Jan. 20, 1961
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John F. Kennedy's Inaugural BallAlfred Eisenstaedt via Getty ImagesVP-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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John F. Kennedy's InaugurationNBC NewsWire via Getty ImagesSpectators at the Inauguration of President John F. Kennedy on Jan. 20, 1961
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John F. Kennedy's Inaugural GalaGAB Archive via Getty ImagesFrank 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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Richard Nixon's 1st InaugurationPhotoQuest via Getty ImagesPresident 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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Richard Nixon's 1st InaugurationBettmann via Getty ImagesPresident-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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Richard Nixon's 1st InaugurationNBC NewsWire via Getty ImagesNBC News' Hugh Downs and Barbara Walters covering the 1st Presidential inauguration of Richard Nixon on Jan. 20, 1969
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Gerald Ford's InaugurationBill Pierce via Getty ImagesPresident Gerald Ford and wife Betty during his inauguration on Aug. 9, 1974
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Jimmy Carter's InaugurationDavid Hume Kennerly via Getty ImagesPresident 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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Jimmy Carter's InaugurationDavid Hume Kennerly via Getty ImagesFirst 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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Ronald Reagan's 1st InaugurationNBC NewsWire via Getty ImagesFirst lady Nancy Reagan and President Ronald Reagan during Reagan's first inauguration on Jan. 20, 1981
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Ronald Reagan's 1st Inaugural BallBettmann via Getty ImagesPresident 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's 1st Inaugural BallDirck Halstead via Getty ImagesRonald Reagan dancing with his wife Nancy at his Inaugural Ball on Jan. 20, 1981
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George H.W. Bush's Inaugural CelebrationHistorical via Getty ImagesGeorge Bush smiles and waves to participants of his inaugural celebration as Barbara looks on Jan. 20, 1989.
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Bill Clinton's 1st InaugurationMPI via Getty ImagesHillary 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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Bill Clinton's 1st Inaugural BallDiana Walker via Getty ImagesPresident Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton holding hands, onstage at Kennedy Center inaugural ball on Jan. 20, 1993
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Bill Clinton's 2nd InaugurationCongressional Quarterly via Getty ImagesPresident 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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Bill Clinton's 2nd Inaugural BallCynthia Johnson via Getty ImagesPresident Bill Clinton and wife Hillary clap their hands at an inaugural ball Jan. 20, 1997
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George. W. Bush's 1st Inaugural BallPool via Getty ImagesU.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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George. W. Bush's 1st Inaugural BallJoe Raedle via Getty ImagesPresident 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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Barack Obama's 1st InaugurationNew York Daily News Archive via Getty ImagesPresident Obama's daughters Malia and Sasha at the beginning of the inauguration on Jan. 20, 2009
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Barack Obama's 1st InaugurationChip Somodevilla via Getty ImagesMichelle Obama holds the Lincoln bible as she arrives at the inauguration of Barack Obama Jan. 20, 2009
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Barack Obama's 1st Inaugural BallMark Wilson via Getty ImagesU.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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Barack Obama's 1st Inaugural BallBrendan Hoffman via Getty ImagesVice 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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Barack Obama's 2nd InaugurationMark Wilson via Getty ImagesFirst 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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Barack Obama's 2nd Inaugural BallJEWEL SAMAD via Getty ImagesU.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama attend the Inaugural Ball at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Jan. 21, 2013
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