As they made their glittering return to the White House on Monday, the women in President Trump’s inner circle may not have said much to the cameras – but their outfit choices certainly spoke volumes.
Over the past few days, the Trump family celebrated his electoral win with a series of extravagant events – beginning with a show-stopping firework display at the President’s golf course in Washington on Saturday and ending with the traditional Liberty Ball on Monday night.
For the occasion, the First Lady, 54, opted for an elegant black-and-white strapless gown by Hervé Pierre.
Eagle-eyed fashion fans will have noticed it had a strikingly similar design to the dress Melania wore to the 2016 Liberty Ball – sending a firm message to the world that the First Lady is ready to get back to the role on her terms.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara – who is married to the President’s son Eric – was another high-profile guest who communicated with viewers with her fashion choices that evening.
The mother-of-two opted for a scarlet red gown, which she paired with a glimmering ruby necklace.
The show-stopping piece of jewellery could easily have been lifted from the Royal Family’s collection – and looks incredibly similar to one owned by Queen Camilla – thereby cementing the Trump’s family status in the US.
Here FEMAIL reveals all the fashion messages that were hiding in plain sight during Trump’s inauguration celebrations – from Lauren Sanchez’s naked dress to the clues the First Family are positioning themselves as America’s ‘royals’.
First Lady Melania Trump (pictured with husband President Donald Trump) chose an elegant monochrome strapless gown by US designer Hervé Pierre for the Liberty Ball on Monday night
Lauren Sanchez shared this photo of the peach Dolce & Gabbana gown she wore to the Liberty Ball
Ivanka Trump wore a spectacular Givenchy gown, modellled on Audrey Hepburn’s Sabrina dress, and LEVIEV Diamonds for the Liberty Inaugural Ball
Pictured: Lara Trump and Eric Trump listen as President Donald Trump speaks at the Liberty Ball
Melania’s updated ball gown: She’s back on her own terms
Aware the world’s eyes would be watching on Monday night, Melania Trump took a note from her own fashion playbook when choosing her outfit for the Liberty Ball.
For the historic occasion, the First Lady turned to her trusted stylist Hervé Pierre, who is also a designer in his own right.
Together, the pair settled on one of his gowns, which was incredibly reminiscent of the Hervé design Melania wore to the 2016 Liberty Ball.
As well as being off-shoulder and strapless, both ball gowns featured a silk frill running down the front.
Melania’s first Liberty Ball dress was crisp white – except for a dainty red belt – and also featured a thigh-high split.
Bringing the design into 2025, Hervé updated the dress to make it strapless and made the statement frills black.
To offset this added embellishment, Melania had a diamond broach, which was created by American jeweller Harry Winston in 1955, reworked into a choker with a black ribbon.
Melania’s designer said in a statement: ‘It is a big honor to have collaborated with the first lady on the design for her inaugural dress.
The black and white gown that Melania wore to Monday night’s Liberty Ball bore a striking resemblance to the dress she chose for the same occasion in 2016 (pictured). It sends a clear message to the world that the First Lady is ready to return to the role on her own terms
Melania’s first Liberty Ball dress was crisp white – except for a dainty red belt – and also featured a thigh-high split
‘It was clear that Mrs. Trump was gravitating toward a combination of black and white — true to her own style and vision.’
As she stepped back into the spotlight, it’s clear Melania wanted to hark back to her previous work as First Lady in Trump’s first term – and send a message to the American public that she is set on doing the job her own way.
Lara Trump: Royal necklace puts Trumps on par with the monarchy
However, Melania wasn’t the only member of the Trump family to use her inauguration ball outfit to convey a hidden message.
Pictured: Lara Trump wearing a red gown by Oscar Garcia-Lopez for President Trump’s inauguration ball
Pictured: Queen Camilla wearing a five-strand ruby necklace set with diamonds at the 150th anniversary of the Academy of Music in Philadelphia in 2007
On Monday night, Lara Trump – who has been married to Eric since 2014 – wore a statement ruby necklace, which matched her scarlet ball gown from Oscar Garcia-Lopez.
The show-stopping piece of jewellery featured three tiers of diamonds and rubies and resembles one of Queen Camilla’s favourite necklaces.
Among her collection of jewellery, the royal has a five-strand ruby necklace, which is set with diamonds.
According to the royal jewellery blog The Court Jeweller, the necklace is thought to have been a diplomatic gift and is only worn by Queen Camilla on special occasions.
Lara’s choice of necklace, with its royal connotations, appears to have been designed to send a message to the viewing public – putting the Trumps on par with the British monarchy.
After the ball, Lara posted a behind-the-scenes photo of her getting ready for the event.
As she starred down the camera, Lara’s makeup artist Axel Constanza was pictured adjusting her blonde hair, which had been styled in loose waves.
Sharing the image with her 2.4m Instagram followers, Lara used a kissing emoji as her caption.
Lauren Sanchez: Defiant in the face of critics
Pictured: Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos attending President Trump’s Swearing In ceremony in the Capitol on Monday
There’s no denying Lauren Sanchez raised eyebrows on Monday afternoon when she arrived for Trump’s inauguration wearing a cleavage-bearing white blazer.
The white suit , which showcased her lace bra, caused a stir online about whether it was ‘appropriate’ for such an occasion.
Lauren’s Swearing In outfit appears to be the same one she wore during a chat with Forbes executive vice president Moira Forbes at the 2024 Forbes Power Women’s Summit in September.
During the event, Lauren lamented how the public only associate her with her future husband Jeff Bezos – by wearing it again for such a historic event, Lauren could have been trying to hammer this point home.
But Jeff Bezos’ fiance clearly didn’t let the social media frenzy get to her – and defiantly turned up to the inauguration ball in an equally racy gown just hours later.
Leaning into the ‘naked dress’ trend, the mother-of-three wore a peach-toned gown by Dolce & Gabbana.
Lauren Sánchez, who is engaged to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, opted for a slightly more conservative look as she attended The Starlight Ball in Washington, DC. She wore a flowing, golden peach colored dress with a corset at the waist and dramatic long sleeves. The gown was designed by Dolce & Gabbana, and she paired it with chandelier earrings by Lorraine Schwartz jewelry. It was quite a different look from her inauguration ceremony outfit, as she was slammed for wearing a white pantsuit with her white lace bra on full display under its matching jacket.
Although it featured a modest necklace, the dress had a slit in the front, which flashed Lauren’s legs
Lauren’s Swearing In outfit appears to be the same one she wore the 2024 Forbes Power Women’s Summit in September
The whimsical gown boasted draped soft tulle sleeves with an elegant bodice that cinched in at the waist.
Although it featured a modest necklace, the dress had a slit in the front, which flashed Lauren’s legs.
Sanchez accessorised with large gold earrings and statement rings with her long dark tresses styled in loose waves and draped down her back.
The author’s comments section was filled with comments from celebrity pals gushing over her inauguration ball look.
Kris Jenner gushed: ‘STUNNING!!!!’ Brooks Nader added: ‘Belle of the ball.’
Ivanka Trump: Inviting Hollywood royalty comparisons
Ivanka Trump wore a custom recreation of an iconic 1954 couture gown worn by Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn has gone down in history as Hollywood royalty – and Ivanka Trump appears to have wanted to play into this with her Liberty Ball gown.
On Monday night, the mother-of-three encouraged comparisons with the late icon when she wore a recreation of an iconic 1954 couture gown worn by Audrey Hepburn.
The First Daughter, 43, took to the stage with her husband, Jared Kushner, 44, to share in a romantic dance during the Liberty Ball in Washington, D.C., on Monday evening.
The mother-of-three opted for an elegant, strapless white gown that contained a long flowing skirt and intricate black floral detailing.
The dress was a recreation of a Hubert de Givenchy’s 1954 Haute Couture black-and-white gown that was originally designed for Audrey in the film Sabrina.
Ivanka’s rep said that she was ‘honoured’ to wear the gown and ‘incredibly grateful for Arnault family and the Givenchy atelier for creating the replica, capturing the original artistry and elegance with remarkable precision and craftsmanship.’
‘Audrey Hepburn has long been a personal inspiration to Ivanka,’ they added.
‘She views it as a great privilege to honor her legacy in this way, and is incredibly grateful to the team at Givenchy for bringing this moment to life.’
But missed the mark by trying to channel Kate and ending up like Princess Diana in her frumpy era…
Ivanka Trump donned an understated ensemble, as she arrived in an emerald-green woolen pencil skirt with a matching blazer for the swearing-in ceremony.
She accessorized with a beret style hat in the same shade, black high heels, sheer black tights and leather gloves, which attracted a level of mockery on social media.
Critics compared the look to that of one in the hit show The Handmaid’s Tale. One user even joked that she came ‘straight from filming.’
Ivanka sported a dramatically-cinched, emerald-green ensemble with a blazer top and pencil skirt at the swearing-in ceremony, teamed with a Dior bag named after Princess Diana (left). Right: Princess Diana in a similar ensemble at the Braemar Highland Games in Scotland in 1983
Kate donned a striking green Alexander McQueen coat during the Christmas day church service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringha
The wrap jacket had an unflattering cut. It was structured around the body, cinched at the waist with a thin black leather belt. It also featured an asymmetrical element, with the right-side lapel sweeping down in a waterfall style.
She topped it off with a matching green beret, with the whole ensemble bearing a striking resemblance to a rather dowdy outfit Princess Diana wore to the Braemar Highland Games in 1983.
The royal references did not end there for Ivanka.
On her arm was a Dior bag, which appeared to be the Lady Dior Bag in Black Cannage Grained Calfskin with gold finishes, which retails for $5,900
Originally called ‘Chouchou,’ the Lady Dior bag changed its name in 1996 in honour of Princess Diana after she was seen using it.
The Princess Of Wales carrying the boxy bag at Buenos Aires airport, Argentina on November 26, 1995
The boxy bag was gifted to the late royal by the First Lady of France in September 1995, at the opening of the Paul Cézanne retrospective at Paris’s Grand Palais.
At this time, the Chouchou wasn’t yet on sale to the public, and only in the possession of the world’s one per cent.
And it wasn’t long before Diana starting pairing the black patent bag with many of her chic ensembles – including a white Versace suit that she wore during a trip to Argentina on November 26, 1995.
It seems more likely that Ivanka was trying to channel the new Princess of Wales, who set this season’s colour as dark green when she arrived at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham on Christmas day.
Taking to the festive service, Kate opted for her hunter-green Alexander McQueen coat, paired with a tartan scarf.
She teamed the coat with a matching fascinator, a pair of black gloves, and boots by Gianvito Rossi to keep warm.
The future queen also carried a small handbag by Grace Han – as she waved at the crowds outside St Mary Magdalene Church.
All eyes were on Kate that day, following her gruelling year after her shocking cancer diagnosis – and it seems as though Ivanka Trump was one of those taking fashion notes from the princess.
Melania Trump: Royal Family homage (and a protective shield!)
Not since Hillary Clinton, in 1993, has a First Lady opted for an inauguration-day hat, adding not only a touch of the theatrical to Melania’s ensemble but almost entirely obscuring her eyes.
For a woman known for her love of sunglasses, perhaps this was the next-best choice on a day when the entire world would be watching her.
Others on social media joked that the hat’s wide brim was a useful way of blocking her husband from getting to close when he leaned in for a kiss.
What’s more, style watchers may have noticed how Melania Trump’s inauguration ceremony ensemble gave a couple of nods to the British monarch – as the Trumps continue positioning themselves as America’s ‘royals’.
Pictured: First Lady Melania Trump wore a black coat dress by Adam Lippes and a hat from Eric Javits, who are both American designers, for Trump’s inauguration
Pictured: Melania Trump wore a similar wide-brimmed hat to meet the late Queen at Buckingham Palace in 2019
For the event, Melania Trump wore a sophisticated black coat dress by Adam Lippes and a hat from Eric Javits, who are both American designers.
The combination of smart coat dress and statement hat is a formula the Princess of Wales has become famous for during her 12 years in the Royal Family.
Meanwhile, Melania’s silhouette was incredibly similar to an outfit Kate wore to the Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey in 2022.
As well as opting monochrome theme, both women wore wide-brimmed hats for the occasion – perhaps signifying Melania is turning to Kate Middleton for inspiration as she returns to the White Office.
In addition, Melania’s hat is also similar to one she wore to meet the late Queen at a Buckingham Palace party in June 2019.
Again this wide-brimmed hat, which had a black trim, was designed by Hervé Pierre, who created her Liberty Ball gown on Monday.
Pictured: First Lady Melania Trump looks on as President Donald Trump addresses guests and supporters in an overflow room in Emancipation Hall
Pictured: The Princess of Wales attends the Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey in March 2022
Tiffany Trump: Princess chic
During Monday night’s Liberty Ball, Tiffany Trump exuded royal glamour in a light green gown by Lebanese fashion designer Zuhair Murad.
The off-shoulder dress had a sheer, embellished bodice and princess-like pleated skirt that skimmed her baby bump.
As she took to the dance floor with husband Michael Boulos, Tiffany – who styled her blonde hair in loose waves – wore a matching scarf, which draped off her shoudlers.
Completing her regal look, the soon-to-be mother opted for a pair of dangly diamond earrings.
Continuing her family’s royal fashion nods, Tiffany’s pleated dress and matching scarf was reminiscent of one of Princess Diana’s most famous looks.
In 1987, the late Princess of Wales wore a sky blue chiffon gown to attend the Cannes Film Festival.
Pictured: Mother-to-be Tiffany Trump dances with husband Michael Boulos at the Liberty Ball on Monday night
Pictured: Princess Diana wore a chiffon pleated gown with a matching blue scarf to the 1987 Cannes Film Festival
The late fashion icon’s dress featured a similar pleated dress, which perfectly matched the chiffon scarf that draped behind her back.
At the time, it was reported Princess Diana had turned to Grace Kelly’s To Catch a Thief wardrobe for inspiration.
The Hollywood icon, who married Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956, famously wore a multicolour blue pleated dress in the 1955 Hitchcock classic.
In November 2022, Tiffany’s older sister Ivanka paid tribute to the dress when she wore a similar design to her wedding to Michael Boulos.
Kai Trump: The relatable prom queen
Donald Trump Jr’s daughter played a major role at the Liberty Ball when she danced onstage with her father – taking the place of his girlfriend Bettina.
The President’s 17-year-old granddaughter made sure to take to social media to share all the details of her off-white beaded gown with a corset bodice and thigh-high slit from Sherri Hill.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s granddaughter Kai Trump, 17, shared her dazzling look for the inaugural ball on Monday evening
Kai had a high profile role when she accompanied her father Donald Trump Jr on stage to dance at the Liberty Ball, rather than his girlfriend Bettina
Kai also donned a navy blue Sherri Hill gown on Sunday evening leading up to her grandfather’s inauguration
The designer is touted as the ‘choice of young Hollywood’ and is known for glitzy prom dresses.
Unlike a high end design house, the prices are relatively affordable with dresses costing a few hundred dollars and Kai was canny enough to use this to her advantage and appeal relatable to her growing fan base.
In a YouTube vlog prior to the ball, Kai revealed that she had been given a number of Sherri Hill dresses for the busy weekend.
‘This is Sherri Hill,’ she said, showing off the gowns, which came in red, navy, and gold.
‘She sent me some dresses and they’re amazing. All my ball gowns are Sherri Hill.’
Kai explained that although she has never worn Sherri Hill before, she felt like the dresses ‘looked really good on her.’
‘She’s a really good designer,’ she added. ‘I’ve heard of her before. Thank you so much for sending these Sherri, I appreciate it. They look so amazing.’
Jill Biden: ‘Nabbed’ Melania’s designer
Jill Biden dazzled in a chic, royal purple monochrome look as she stood in front of The White House ahead of the swearing-in ceremony.
She wore a purple wrap coat by Ralph Lauren along with a matching dress underneath, and purple suede high heels.
Jill Biden was dressed in Ralph Lauren, who created Melania Trump’s outfit for the 2017 inauguration
Interestingly, Ralph Lauren was also the designer that Melania chose for her poweder blue 2017 inauguration outfit.
Melania had to accept that Lauren, who only days earlier became the first fashion designer ever awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, this time opted to dress outgoing First Lady.
The First Lady instead relied on her longtime stylist Herve Pierre, which may well have been the smart choice in the end, showing that she does not need the help of major design houses to build her own fashion legacy.
Arabella Kushner: Nod to Princess Charlotte
When Ivanka Trump’s daughter, Arabella Kushner, took to the inaugural ceremonies at the US Capitol, she donned a cape coat reminiscent of Princess Charlotte’s.
The daughter of Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, Arabella Kushner (pictured), donned a cape coat in the style of one previously worn by Princess Charlotte
Princess Charlotte opted for a striking ivory cape coat during the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla in 2023 (pictured)
Pictured: Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte arrive at Westminster Abbey for the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on May 06, 2023
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The American teenager, 13, the only daughter of Ivanka and Jared Kushner, opted for a biscuit-coloured knee-length overcoat with a wide belt, matching trousers, and chunky boots.
It was an outfit choice evocative of the one donned by Princess Charlotte during the King’s coronation at Westminster Abbey in May 2023.
The young princess donned an Alexander McQueen dress and cape in ivory silk crepe with ivory stitch embroidery featuring rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock motifs to signify the four nations.
Her mother, Kate, also looked elegant in a similar ivory silk crepe gown featuring silver bullion and thread work embroidery.
Instead of a tiara, the mother and daughter duo wore matching Jess Collett x Alexander McQueen Headpiece with silver bullion, crystal, and silver thread work three-dimensional leaf embroidery.
It’s perhaps of little surprise that Arabella may have looked to Princess Charlotte for fashion inspiration, given her status as one of the most closely watched – and best-dressed – children on the planet with a wardrobe that pays tribute to classic British style.
Usha Vance: Taking notes from Melania?
Pictured: J.D. and Usha Vance hold hands as they pose on the steps of the Capitol building ahead of the inauguration on Monday
Pictured: First Lady Melania Trump and Usha Vance engaged in conversation inside the Emancipation Hall
Along with her matching gloves and heels, the ex-supermodel swept her hair into a bun just like Usha’s
Pictured: Melania Trump wore a baby blue coat dress by Ralph Lauren for the 2016 inauguration
As she joined her husband on the steps of The Capitol building on Monday, Usha Vance looked suitably sophisticated in a baby pink coat dress by Oscar de la Renta.
The wife of the new Vice-President swept her hair into an elegant bun, which showed off her statement floral stud earrings.
The mother-of-three completed her inauguration ensemble with a pair of tan suede boots and cream leather gloves.
With its pastel hue and feminine shape, Usha appears to have taken inspiration from Melania Trump’s 2016 inauguration outfit ahead of the historic moment on Monday
Nine years ago, the returning First Lady opted for a baby blue design by Ralph Lauren, which comprised of a similar silhouette and statement neckline.
Along with her matching gloves and heels, the ex-supermodel swept her hair into a bun just like Usha did earlier this week.