Melania Trump’s biggest fashion fails: 5 times the former first lady should have rethought her wardrobe during husband Donald Trump’s US presidency

Feb 2 , 2021

Former US first lady Melania Trump, usually commended on her sartorial style, has had a few fashion disasters. Photos: AFP; @melaniatrump.style/Instagram; TNS

The past four years saw Melania step out flawlessly in Chanel, Dior and Hermès, but she sure dropped the ball a few times

Wearing a US$2,000 dress to visit a Ghanaian hospital was seen as tasteless, while her unisex ensemble in Egypt attracted comparisons to Hannibal Lecter

Melania Trump has left an indelible mark on fashion, unlike that made by any of the former first ladies in the history of the American presidency, with the exception of style icon Jackie Kennedy, with whom she has always been favourably compared.

As the wife of president Donald Trump, Melania spent her time in the limelight carefully curating her unique brand of fashion diplomacy, bringing Hollywood glamour and style to the White House. Parallel to her high-minded Be Best initiative, her sartorial choices set a high bar in luxury fashion politics.

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth (centre) with then US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump during a welcome ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London, June, 2019. Photo: AFP

The former model, who was often seen in creations by esteemed French luxury maisons including Hermès, Chanel, Christian Dior and Christian Louboutin, also endorsed American designers such as Ralph Lauren and Carolina Herrera, as well as trendy brands like Balenciaga and Gucci.

She also never seemed worried about being fashion forward and frequently experimented with edgy looks, using her wardrobe to make silent statements on political issues.

However, our notebook on her glamorous looks, which have been documented in detail over the years, has recorded a few (albeit rare) misses. Here are five of Melania’s biggest fashion boo-boos as US first lady.

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump walk on the South Lawn of the White House after arriving on Marine One in Washington, on December 31, 2020. Photo: Polaris/Bloomberg

On December 31, Melania stepped out of Air Force One wearing a Balenciaga bubble coat in Prince of Wales checks and Christian Dior calfskin boots. The oversized coat created a visually dwarfing effect, even on Melania, who is 5 feet 11 inches (1.8 metres) tall. Paired with slouchy footwear, the outfit definitely didn’t make the cut.

Melania Trump holds a baby during a visit to the Greater Accra Regional Hospital in Accra, on October 2, 2018, during a week-long trip in Africa to promote her Be Best campaign. Photo: AFP