For the fashion-conscious, First Lady Melania Trump stole some of the limelight at her husband's inauguration ceremony by wearing a stylish outfit designed by American craftsmen.
Melania wore a double-breasted navy coat by American designer Adam Lippes and a matching boater hat by American milliner Eric Javits.
“The tradition of the presidential inauguration embodies the beauty of American democracy and today we had the honor to dress our first lady, Mrs. Melania Trump,” Lippes said in a statement. “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.”
With her outfit, she wore black gloves for warmth and her signature Manolo Blahnik stilettos.
It was the fourth-coldest Inauguration Day on record with a high of 27 degrees, and incoming President Donald Trump decided to hold the swearing-in ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda rather than outdoors as is traditional.
Ronald Reagan's 1985 swearing-in had a high of only seven degrees, while Ulysses S. Grant's inauguration in 1987 had a high of 16 degrees and John F. Kennedy Jr.'s in 1961 was 22 degrees.
Reagan's inauguration was also held indoors, as was William Taft's 1909 ceremony due to 10 inches of snow in D.C. that day.
With the president being a senior citizen at 78 and several other lawmakers in attendance in their 80s, it was probably a good idea to avoid standing around for hours in sub-freezing temperatures.
It was still necessary for the Trumps, Vances, Bidens and others to dress warmly as they walked from outside to the Rotunda.
Second Lady Usha Vance wore a light pink jacket with suede ivory gloves and Manolo Blahnik boots. The designer of her outfit was not known, but she has favored designers like Oscar de la Renta and Sergio Hudson in the past.
Outgoing First Lady Jill Biden wore a royal blue jacket and dress by Ralph Lauren, where Lippes got his start before developing his own line.
Her heels matched the coat and dress.
Everyone seemed cordial during the swearing in of Trump, putting aside any hostility that had been previously expressed and showing Americans that the transfer of power was peaceful and gracious.
Biden can now get some much-needed rest, and the country will be in good hands under Trump.
