‘She knew’: Melania Trump’s inauguration hat divides

“Odd” photos of the returning First Lady have caused a huge divide online, with speculation rife there’s a reason Melania wore a huge hat.

America’s returning first lady, Melania Trump, was always destined to cause a stir with her latest inauguration outfit.

As her husband Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Monday, many tuned in for the return of a new era of Melania style-watching.

The 54-year-old former model donned a look from two US designers: a dark navy coat and skirt designed by Adam Lippes, and a dramatic wide-brimmed hat by Eric Javits.

But while Lippes described the ensemble as one that “embodies the beauty of American democracy”, many social media commenters struggled to see the vision, noting the hat obstructed the view of her face throughout the ceremony.

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“Looks like she’s going to a funeral,” one suggested on X.

“Incredibly elegant but the hat was a step too far,” another said.

As one claimed: “It’s giving 90s Italian mobster.”

Some compared the FLOTUS’ look with the iconic McDonald’s Hamburglar character, who wears a big black hat with a stripe in the middle.

“Melania Trump serving Madam First Lady Hamburglar at the #Inauguration2025”, joked one.

“Meet Melania Hamburglar Trump,” teased someone else.

While one remarked: “Apparently while her husband was working at McDonald’s Melania stole the Hamburglar’s hat.”

First Lady Melania Trump has sparked divide over her outfit at her husband Donald Trump’s second inauguration with her outfit. Picture: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP

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But it is a clip of the new President of the United States leaning in for a kiss with his wife of almost 20 years that has really sent the internet into overdrive.

The vision shows Mr Trump struggling to reach Melania’s seemingly hidden face, eventually settling for an air kiss.

“The hat finally makes sense,” a video showing the moment on TikTok read.

“She knew what she was doing,” someone else agreed.

“Not the social distancing hat,” mused one more.

Many weren’t fans of her dramatic wide-brimmed hat by designer Eric Javits. Picture: Saul Loeb-Pool/Getty Images

Some argued it was ‘odd’ you couldn’t see the 53-year-old’s face during the historic ceremony. Picture: Chip Somodevilla / AFP

‘Looks like she’s going to a funeral.’ Picture: CHIP SOMODEVILLA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

Of course, there were many who positively frothed Melania’s look, declaring: “She looks amazing.”

“She’s classy but maybe we are overlooking that its absolutely freezing,” another said in defence of the look.

“I can’t lie, Melania always gives us fashion,” wrote someone else, while another added: “I love Melania’s fashion, it is better than expected.”

Expert’s weigh in on Melania’s Inauguration Day fit

Melania paired her navy blue outfit with a pair of Manolo Blahnik heels, black leather gloves and simple stud earrings.

A leading fashion expert has agreed with public sentiment surrounding the ensemble, describing the outfit as an “odd choice”.

“I feel like it’s a happy occasion and what she’s wearing seems too dark and understated,” Amanda Sanders told The US Sun.

“I think it was smart to wear an American designer’s clothes. This will definitely make Adam Lippes a household name.

“[But] it does feel like a chic updated Mary Poppins.”

Others said a Melania ‘knew what she was doing’ wearing the huge hat. Picture: Morry Gash / AFP

Sanders added that Melania’s wide-brimmed hat was “an odd choice” as it “feels like a very sombre outfit for a joyous celebration”.

“It covers her face so we really don’t see much of her,” she said.

“It’s very maturing and sombre. She’s usually so glamorous.”

Cost of the returning First Lady’s navy blue ensemble

Melania is known for her expensive designer wardrobe, so many are expecting her historic Inauguration Day outfit to have a larger-than-life price-tag.

But early reports suggest the tongue-wagging ensemble isn’t as costly as some of her past FLOTUS looks — who can forget when she wore a $70,000 Dolce & Gabbana floral coat during official duties in Sicily back in 2017?

The outfit doesn’t appear to be as expensive as some of the 53-year-old’s previous First Lady looks. Picture: Chris KLEPONIS / POOL / AFP

Her coat is believed to retail for around $6000 while her shoes and hat add another $3000 to the total. Picture: Greg Nash / POOL / AFP

While actual pricing for Melania’s first outfit as the new President’s first lady hasn’t been released, a similar double breasted coat on the official Adam Lippes website was for sale at over £3000 (about $6000 Australian dollars), the Mirror reports.

A similar boater hat from Eric Javits was recently listed at £300 (almost $600), the publication added.

The shoes she’s reportedly wearing are the Manolo Blahnik 105-milimeter black stiletto pumps which retail for as much as $2500 in Australia.

However, it has been noted that the garments Melania is wearing have likely been custom made by the designers, which could send the price skyrocketing.

Originally published as ‘She knew’: Melania Trump’s inauguration hat divides