Frances Cleveland frequently wore dress that showcased her shoulders, a bold fashion choice in the 1880s. When they married in 1886, Grover and Frances Cleveland became the first and only president and first lady to wed in the White House. She was the youngest first lady in history, making her a worldwide celebrity and fashion icon. Frances Cleveland, a supporter of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, objected to wearing dresses that they deemed too revealing for her shoulders, but she never stopped or responded to their protests.
Betty Ford was only once seen in pants... while dancing atop the Cabinet Room table on her last day as a first lady in 1977. US first lady Betty Ford dances on the Cabinet Room table at the White House in Washington, D.C. in 1977. Betty Ford was a ardent supporter of the women's liberation movement of the 1970s, but wearing pants in public was still considered acceptable for first ladies, according to the National First Ladies' Library.
In 1960, President John F. Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline Kennedy were walking along the pier at a yacht club. Martha Weinman of The New York Times called Kennedy's lively outfit - an orange cowl-neck sweater with pink slacks -'something of possibly vast political consequences' in 1960, suggesting a new type of first lady was emerging. ''S wife may be a great issue,'' he said. Can too much chic mean more votes? Why or why not? She wrote in a letter.
In 1981, Nancy Reagan's choice of a one-shoulder formal gown was considered a daring look. Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan were hailed at the inauguration in 1981. The beaded inaugural gown made of lace over silk satin by Nancy Reagan, according to the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, was designed by James Galanos. Givhan wrote in 2016 the Washington Post's senior critic-at-large.
In 2017 at the Group of Seven summit in Italy, Melania Trump wore a $51,500 Dolce & Gabbana jacket with colorful floral appliques. Melania Trump arrives at Chierici Palace in Italy, part of a 2017 visit by the G7 first ladies in Catania, Italy. She teamed the dress with a pale-pink dress and her signature sunglasses. The full cost of the jacket is more than most Americans make in a year, which was a controversial choice.
Biden wore a sparkling Oscar de la Renta gown while presenting at the 2023 Grammys. In December, Biden wore a navy version of the same dress to a state dinner with Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron of France. It has a price tag of $16,000. Biden presented the 2023 Grammys with an award for best song for social change to Iranian singer and songwriter Shervin Hajipour, for her protest anthem Biden also presented the award for best song, which went to Bonnie Raitt's.
6 Comments
GENA CR
Jill Biden's $16,000 gown is completely unnecessary. She should be more mindful of her spending, especially as the wife of the president.
Tyutyunya
Why is it necessary to focus on the fashion choices of first ladies? There are more important issues to discuss.
GENA CR
Betty Ford dancing on a table in pants is disgraceful. First ladies should carry themselves with more decorum.
marshal
Jill Biden's sparkling gown at the Grammy Awards highlights her support for the arts and recognizes the cultural significance of such events.
GENA CR
Nancy Reagan's one-shoulder gown was inappropriate for a formal event. Showing so much skin is not suitable for a first lady.
Bob the Helper
It's admirable that Frances Cleveland stood up for her personal style despite the objections of the Women's Christian Temperance Union.