From THAT Zara jacket to inappropriate high heels: First Lady Melania Trump’s year in poor-taste fashion

US First Lady Melania Trump hasn’t always put her best foot forward. Her clothing choices have made world headlines for the wrong reasons.

On the surface, Melania Trump’s wardrobe looks impeccably put-together, full of designer labels (Michael Kors and Celine, among others) and killer high-heels.

Delve a bit deeper, however, and the First Lady — aka Mrs Donald Trump — has sported some controversial clothing choices in 2018.

Perhaps the most shocking this year was when Melania, 48, wore that khaki green Zara jacket with the words “I REALLY DON’T CARE, DO U?” printed on the back.

The occasion? Visiting detained immigrant children in McAllen, Texas.

Melania Trump, pictured at Andrews Air Force Base, wearing THAT Zara jacket. Picture: AP

She wore the $US39 ($A52) Zara coat, with the confronting, graffiti-style writing on the back.

Her husband, the President, defended her eyebrow-raising attire by suggesting the jacket was intended not as an attack on the occasion, but rather on the “Fake News Media”.

At the time, Trump tweeted, “I REALLY DON’T CARE, DO U?” written on the back of Melania’s jacket, refers to the Fake News Media”.

“Melania has learned how dishonest they are, and she truly no longer cares!,” Donald Trump added.

Later, a White House spokeswoman insisted the jacket was not designed to send a message at all.

“It’s a jacket. There was no hidden message,” the spokeswoman said. “After today’s important visit to Texas, I hope this isn’t what the media is going to choose to focus on”.

Of course, the style scandal didn’t end there.

Melania Trump’s most controversial outfits of 2018

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A pith helmet-clad Melania Trump pictured looking out over Nairobi National Park in October. Picture: AP

Her outfit was branded tone deaf. Picture: AFP

The style scandal continued for the First Lady in October, when she wore a white “pith” helmet during a solo tour of Kenya.

It was perhaps her biggest fashion blunder of 2018, and led some to accuse her of having an outdated understanding of Africa (due to the association between the headwear and colonialism).

When questioned about her tone-deaf headwear, Melania told reporters: “You know what, we just completed an amazing trip, we went to Ghana, we went to Malawi, we went to Kenya, here we are in Egypt.

“I want to talk about my trip and not what I wear,” Melania said.

She got it right with this animal-print dress, though, worn at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. Picture: AFP

Focus again turned to Melania’s wardrobe for all the wrong reasons when she visited the Children’s National Hospital in Washington on December 13.

As she sat down to read Oliver the Ornament to an audience of children, her choice of occasion-inappropriate footwear — a pair of candy cane-inspired Manolo Blahnik high heels — caused a slight stir.

Sure, the Carrie Bradshaw-esque festive shoes may have worked in another setting but probably not ones to wear to visit sick kids.

She chose a pair of slightly inappropriate heels to read a book to sick kids at the Children's National Hospital in Washington this month. Picture: AFP

As one social media critic observed: “Her candy cane Manolo Blahnik’s are just so crazy for a First Lady visiting a hospital, but perfect for my sexy ugly sweater Christmas cocktail party”.

Melania greeted children released from the neonatal intensive care unit and their parents at Children's National Health System … wearing these Manolo Blahnik shoes. Picture: AP

Despite a string of wardrobe scandals, it wasn’t all bad news for Melania Trump’s style this year.

She still made sartorial statements for the right reasons sometimes.

Melania Trump’s most controversial outfits of 2018

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On a surprise visit to Iraq with her husband today, she sported a belted military jacket by Victoria Beckham (it cost $1000), teamed with a pair of tight pants.

Though she usually wears high heels (even to slightly inappropriate occasions), this time Melania went for a pair of Timberland boots.

Melania Trump wore Victoria Beckham on a trip to Iraq today. Picture: AP Photo/Andrew Harnik

Melania Trump and her husband President Donald Trump arrived in Iraq on his first visit to US troops deployed in a war zone since his election two years ago. Picture: AFP

She addressed the troops at Al Asad Air Base. Picture: AP

In April, the First Lady again showed she is a pro at a tailored skirt-and-blazer combination — wearing a $2,195 skirt suit by Michael Kors — at the White House during French First Lady Brigitte Macron’s visit.

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. Picture: AFP

The First Lady’s signature stare. Picture: AFP

Though some style commentators thought the Hervé Pierre hat Melania teamed it with was a bit too reminiscent of the one Beyonce wore in her Formation video.

And she made best dressed lists this month for the skin-tight Celine gown (complete with turtle neckline) that she sported to the Congressional Ball.

Melania Trump, right, with French First Lady Brigitte Macron, at the White House in April. Picture: Getty Images

She wore a figure-hugging white dress by Celine to the Congressional Ball on December 15. Picture: AFP

Possibly inspired by Casablanca or Indiana Jones, Melania Trump wore this dramatic white-on-camel coloured suit to visit the Sphinx in October. It received a better reaction than her pith hat. Picture: AAP

Originally published as From THAT Zara jacket to inappropriate high heels: First Lady Melania Trump’s year in poor-taste fashion