Tomorrow is Election Day in the U.S., which means men and women are heading to the polls in droves, embracing their right to vote and making their voices heard. While this is a time of excitement and anxiety (and a whole blend of other emotions) for many, it’s also the perfect time to take a step back and honor the women of the White House—not only for their incredible work and advocacies but also for their impressive fashion choices.
Taking a quick pause from the political ads and debates, let’s take a look at the top five best-dressed White House women of all time. Typically the residing president in office takes all the buzz surrounding his suit of choice, but the true fashion moments took place with the women of the White House. From stunning gowns on Inauguration Day to press conferences around the world, we’ve had our eye on the style.
Top 5 Best-Dressed White House Women
While you can argue that most women in the White House have been blessed in the “fashion” category, a few stand apart from the crowd. These women are well-known for their desirable fashion choices (among other accomplishments), leaving onlookers excited to see what they’ll wear next.
1. Eleanor Roosevelt
First on our list is none other than the elegant and demure Eleanor Roosevelt, who served as First Lady alongside her husband Franklin D. Roosevelt’s four terms as president from 1933 to 1945. Sure, she was known for her soft and ladylike appearance, but she was also known for redefining the role of First Lady, thanks to her travels, engagement, and advocacy.
Her keen eye for fashion was first displayed at her husband’s inauguration, where Eleanor wore her slate-blue silk gown designed by Sally Milgrim. The glorious gown featured detachable long sleeves with rhinestone and moonstone accessories. The leaf and floral pattern was nothing short of elegant, beautifully enhanced with golden threading.
She continued to impress with her sophisticated fashion choices, mainly consisting of beautiful dresses with lavish accessories. This was proven at every high-end event, from the United Nations General Assembly, where she wore a lovely navy blue gown, to the rosy evening gown worn to a White House dinner.
2. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
You can’t say “fashion in the White House” without thinking of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. First Lady to John F. Kennedy from 1961 to 1963, Jackie proved she was a symbol of grace, resilience, and iconic fashion sense.
While we could write an entire bible on Jackie Kennedy’s iconic looks, we figured we’d highlight the top three that really proved her status as a fashion figure (during her reign as First Lady):
- Silk Pink Dress: In 1962, Jackie Kennedy made jaws drop as she stepped out in a silky pink dress that hugged her body in all the right places. This flattering, strapless gown was paired with beautiful white gloves and sparkly accessories, the perfect trio for a fancy dinner alongside her husband to honor the Minister of State for Cultural Affairs of France.
- Leopard Coat: Jackie certainly wasn’t afraid to be bold and take strides in the fashion world, which she proved getting off of LaGuardia Airport in 1962. She was photographed in an exotic leopard print coat accompanied by a chic black hat and gloves to match.
- Monochromatic White Outfit: During her Camelot days, Jackie was no stranger to monochromatic white outfits. Draped in white from head to toe, she was the epitome of avant-garde, clean-cut styles that nobody could resist.
3. Michelle Obama
In a word, Michelle Obama could be labeled “legendary.” She is undeniably one of the most renowned First Ladies in history thanks to her unforgettable advocacy for health (e.g., the “Let’s Move!” initiative), education, and military families. Beyond her impressive work in the White House alongside her husband from 2009 to 2017, she is well-known for her oratory skills, compelling charisma, and fashion.
Michelle Obama is another powerful and beautiful woman we could write an entire book on, and to be honest, it was hard to pinpoint just a few of her sensational outfits. We’re slightly obsessed with all of her famous ‘fits, from the bare-armed black Michael Kors dress she wore for her White House portrait to her show-stopping rose gold Atelier Versace gown for the final White House State Dinner.
Needless to say, when it comes to fashion choices, Michelle Obama can do no wrong. Even her more casual options, like the adorable floral dress by Tanya Taylor and garden-ready get-up featuring dark olive AG Adriano Goldschmied skinny jeans, were a testament to her envious fashion choices, and she’s continued to wow us to this day.
4. Melania Trump
Although Melania Trump may have been quieter than her predecessors, she made noise when it came to fashion and campaigning for children across the United States. Beyond her headline-making and distinctive fashion choices, she is also known for being quite elegant with a demeanor presence before, during, and beyond her First Lady reign alongside Donald Trump from 2017 to 2021.
Being a former model, Melania Trump has no shortage of famous and jaw-dropping fashion looks. However, these three stick out for their absolute beauty and significance:
- Baby Blue Dream: At the inaugural parade 2017, Melania wore a gorgeous vintage-inspired baby blue get-up featuring a knee-length gown detailing around the shoulders and matching gloves and shoes.
- I Really Don’t Care Jacket: Perhaps one of her most statement-making fashion choices while First Lady was her “I really don’t care jacket,” which she wore at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on June 21, 2018.
- Cream Everything: Although there’s a lengthy line-up of beautiful coats and coat-dresses in Melania Trump’s fashion booklet, one of our favorites is the cream-colored wrap coat complete with a circular hat to match, which was worn on the 75th anniversary of D-Day landings.
5. Kamala Harris
Finally, we have Kamala Harris, a woman who does not need an introduction. She is the current Vice President (and the first woman Vice President in history) and hopeful 47th President of the United States. She has gained national recognition for her catalog of achievements, including being the first female Attorney General of California and a trailblazer for equity, to name a few. She’s also a style icon who never disappoints with her outfit choices.
Being the sophisticated and professional woman she is, Kamala Harris certainly gravitates to more businesslike apparel – which she wears incredibly well if we can say so ourselves. This is proven daily, but one of her best looks that left us speechless was her Christopher John Rogers purple two-piece suit, which was worn during the 59th presidential inauguration. She also stunned in a floor-length, sequined black gown by LaQuan Smith at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Phoenix Awards.
We couldn’t finish highlighting Kamala’s looks without discussing her impeccable pantsuits, too. For example, her knockout burgundy three-piece on Late Night With Seth Meyers and her sporty pantsuit worn to a recent rally in Kalamazoo.
Dressed for History: The Enduring Legacy of Fashion in the White House
These women of political significance prove that you can rule the world and look stylish doing so. From Eleanor Roosevelt’s humble and beautiful gowns to Michelle Obama’s groundbreaking get-ups, we can confidently say we are proud of these incredible ladies and all they’ve accomplished – on and off the fashion scene. Which one is your favorite? Who would you add?
Don’t forget to vote on Election Day, November 5th, 2024! Not sure where to go? Check out https://www.vote.org/polling-place-locator/ to find your polling place!
