Inaugural fashion through the years
First lady fashions on Inauguration Day run the gamut through the years.
Presidential inaugurations were more of a staid affair back in the day. Black was a popular color of choice among first ladies, as seen here by Edith White Bolling Galt Wilson, the second wife of President Woodrow Wilson, on the way to his second inauguration in March 1917.
Presidential inaugurations were more of a staid affair back in the day. Black was a popular color of choice among first ladies, as seen here by Edith White Bolling Galt Wilson, the second wife of President Woodrow Wilson, on the way to his second inauguration in March 1917.
Fashion got a little more fun in the 1920s, when Grace Coolidge wore feathers AND fur to the inauguration of her husband, President Calvin Coolidge, in January 1925.
Bedecked in white, a solemn Ladybird Johnson looks on as her husband, Lyndon Johnson, is sworn in as president aboard Air Force One in Dallas following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
It became harder to tell what first ladies were wearing on Inauguration Day in the days of black and white photography. Here, Ladybird Johnson watches as her husband, Lyndon Johnson, is sworn in for a second term on Jan. 20, 1965.
Pat Nixon looked jaunty in her red coat and black fur cap watching her husband Richard Nixon be sworn in as the country's 37th president in January 1969.
Pat Nixon also wore fur for her husband's second inauguration in January 1973, sporting a teal-colored coat with fur trim.
Betty Ford accented her white and baby blue suit with a large white flower in this family picture taken the day of Gerald Ford's inauguration in August 1974.
Rosalyn Carter was pretty in teal while walking Pennsylvania Avenue with President Jimmy Carter following his inauguration in January 1977.
Looking smart in a red dress and matching pillbox hat, Nancy Reagan steals a kiss from husband and newly-elected President Ronald Reagan before his inauguration in 1981.
Nancy Reagan sported plenty of gold bling at Ronald Reagan's second inauguration in January 1985.
Barbara Bush goes bold in a teal winter coat for President George H.W. Bush's inauguration in January 1989.
Dark, jewel tones dominated the outfits of Tipper Gore (L), wife of Vice President Al Gore, and Hillary Clinton (R), wife of President Bill Clinton, during Bill Clinton's first inauguration in January 1993.
Hillary Clinton and daughter, Chelsea, sported festive, pastel-colored wool winter coats at Bill's second inauguration in January 1997.
Lynn Cheney and Laura Bush sport subdued black and brown coats as they wave to supporters with Vice President Dick Cheney and President George W. Bush on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the opening ceremony for Bush's inauguration on Jan. 18, 2001.
Laura Bush went a lighter, more elegant route for her husband's second inauguration in January 2005 dressed in all white with nude heels.
Michelle Obama turned heads at her husband's inauguration in 2009, sporting a sparkly yellow suit by designer Isabel Toledo and green gloves by J. Crew.
