20 of the most expensive designer outfits that first ladies have worn

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Talia LakritzJan 14, 2022, 21:05 IST
20 of the most expensive designer outfits that first ladies have worn

Melania Trump in a J. Mendel dress.Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

  • Michelle Obama's custom state-dinner gowns were worth an estimated $12,000.
  • Melania Trump wore a $51,500 Dolce & Gabbana jacket at the 2017 G7 summit.
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In 2009, Michelle Obama garnered criticism for wearing $540 Lanvin sneakers to a food bank.

In 2009, Michelle Obama garnered criticism for wearing $540 Lanvin sneakers to a food bank.
First lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden in 2009.Brooks Kraft LLC/Corbis via Getty Images

When reporters asked her representatives about the expensive sneakers, they said, "They're shoes."

Obama gave her famous "When they go low, we go high" speech at the 2016 Democratic National Convention in a $995 blue Christian Siriano dress.

Obama gave her famous "When they go low, we go high" speech at the 2016 Democratic National Convention in a $995 blue Christian Siriano dress.
First lady Michelle Obama speaks at the Democratic National Convention in July 2016.Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call/Getty Images

The dress was custom-made for Obama by the "Project Runway" alum, but a similar version was available on Siriano's website, according to the Los Angeles Times.

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Dr. Jill Biden wore a $1,000 powder blue suit designed by Adam Lippes to meet with Queen Elizabeth in 2021.

Dr. Jill Biden wore a $1,000 powder blue suit designed by Adam Lippes to meet with Queen Elizabeth in 2021.
First lady Jill Biden, Queen Elizabeth, and President Joe Biden at Windsor Castle.Richard Pohle-WPA Pool/Getty Images

Biden's blue outfit coordinated with President Biden's tie.

Biden wore a $1,390 polka dot Brandon Maxwell dress to the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

Biden wore a $1,390 polka dot Brandon Maxwell dress to the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
Dr. Jill Biden at the Tokyo Olympics.Dylan Martinez - Pool/Getty Images

She had previously worn the silk sheath dress to the G7 summit.

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Obama wore a $1,595 grey tweed Michael Kors suit to the 2015 State of the Union speech.

Obama wore a $1,595 grey tweed Michael Kors suit to the 2015 State of the Union speech.
First lady Michelle Obama prior to President Barack Obama's State of the Union speech.Mark Wilson/Getty Images

The skirt was altered for Obama by removing a thigh-high zipper slit that appeared on the runway version in Kors' winter 2013 collection, the Observer reported.

Obama's yellow Narciso Rodriguez dress from the 2016 State of the Union retailed for $2,095.

Obama's yellow Narciso Rodriguez dress from the 2016 State of the Union retailed for $2,095.
Then-first lady Michelle Obama at the 2016 State of the Union address.SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

The dress, which was marked down to $628 for Black Friday, sold out of Neiman Marcus immediately, CNBC reported.

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Melania Trump matched French first lady Brigitte Macron in a white Michael Kors jacket costing $2,195 in 2018.

Melania Trump matched French first lady Brigitte Macron in a white Michael Kors jacket costing $2,195 in 2018.
Melania Trump and Brigitte Macron visit the National Gallery of Art in 2018.Brian Snyder/Reuters

Aside from the Michael Kors jacket, Trump wore a Hervé Pierre hat and $775 Christian Louboutin heels.

In 2015, Obama greeted Pope Francis wearing a blue Carolina Herrera dress that retails for $2,290.

In 2015, Obama greeted Pope Francis wearing a blue Carolina Herrera dress that retails for $2,290.
Pope Francis is escorted by President Barack Obama, first Lady Michelle Obama, and their daughters.Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The cowl-neck, short-sleeve dress sold out on Neiman Marcus.

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Biden's blue Oscar de la Renta dress, which she wore on the cover of Vogue, retails for $2,690.

Biden's blue Oscar de la Renta dress, which she wore on the cover of Vogue, retails for $2,690.
First lady Jill Biden arrives in Savannah, Georgia.JIM WATSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

The dress, which she also wore to events in July and October, is sold out.

Trump's hot pink Delpozo dress, worn to a United Nations luncheon in 2017, was priced at $2,950.

Trump's hot pink Delpozo dress, worn to a United Nations luncheon in 2017, was priced at $2,950.
Melania Trump addresses a luncheon at the US Mission to the United Nations in New York in 2017.Craig Ruttle/AP

Trump spoke to the United Nations about cyberbullying.

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Trump wore a $3,701 yellow Gucci coat to a meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin in 2018.

Trump wore a $3,701 yellow Gucci coat to a meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin in 2018.
First lady Melania Trump, President Donald Trump, and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose for a photo.Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

Trump wore the pale yellow coat with a butterfly detail belt to a summit in Helsinki. The coat was on sale at Farfetch.

Trump wore a $3,950 Bottega Veneta coat while giving out candy to trick-or-treaters in 2018.

Trump wore a $3,950 Bottega Veneta coat while giving out candy to trick-or-treaters in 2018.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcome trick-or-treaters to the White House.Mike Theiler-Pool/Getty Images

The plaid brushed-wool coat is no longer available on Net-A-Porter.

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Obama's Naeem Khan dress, worn to meet with Cuban President Raul Castro in 2016, retailed for $4,490.

Obama's Naeem Khan dress, worn to meet with Cuban President Raul Castro in 2016, retailed for $4,490.
Cuban President Raul Castro with first lady Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama.Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Obama paired the dress, which is no longer available on Moda Operandi, with black heels and dangling earrings.

Biden has worn a $5,690 Oscar de la Renta dress with flower embroidery on several occasions.

Biden has worn a $5,690 Oscar de la Renta dress with flower embroidery on several occasions.
President-elect Joe Biden with Dr. Jill Biden after being declared the winner of the US presidential election.ANDREW HARNIK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

She first wore the dress for her husband's victory speech on November 7, 2020. She then wore it twice more, in May and June 2021.

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In 2018, Trump wore a $6,990 pale yellow pleated chiffon gown by J. Mendel on her and President Trump's first official visit to the UK.

In 2018, Trump wore a $6,990 pale yellow pleated chiffon gown by J. Mendel on her and President Trump's first official visit to the UK.
Melania Trump in a J. Mendel dress.Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

She wore the gown to a dinner at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire.

Trump wore a Monique Lhuillier gown priced at $7,995 to a 2017 White House reception.

Trump wore a Monique Lhuillier gown priced at $7,995 to a 2017 White House reception.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump at a White House reception.Alex Wong/Getty Images

The first lady welcomed The White House Historical Society in a sparkling Monique Lhuillier gown. It is no longer available from Bergdorf Goodman.

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Trump wore an embroidered Michael Kors jacket and skirt ensemble totaling $9,590 for a joint session of Congress in 2017.

Trump wore an embroidered Michael Kors jacket and skirt ensemble totaling $9,590 for a joint session of Congress in 2017.
Melania Trump at President Trump's speech to a joint session of Congress in 2017.Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP

The dinner jacket retailed for $4,995, the skirt for $4,595. The outfit is no longer available.

For her last state dinner as first lady in 2016, Obama wore a custom Atelier Versace gown made of rose gold chain mail with an estimated cost of $12,000.

For her last state dinner as first lady in 2016, Obama wore a custom Atelier Versace gown made of rose gold chain mail with an estimated cost of $12,000.
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and his wife, Agnese Landini.Mark Wilson/Getty Images

She chose the Italian designer in honor of Prime Minister Matteo Renzi of Italy's visit. There was also speculation that she wore the chain-mail dress in a nod to female empowerment.

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Obama wore a custom Carolina Herrera gown, also worth an estimated $12,000, for a state dinner with President Francois Hollande of France in 2014.

Obama wore a custom Carolina Herrera gown, also worth an estimated $12,000, for a state dinner with President Francois Hollande of France in 2014.
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama with French President Francois Hollande.Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

The dress featured a black beaded bodice with three-quarter sleeves and a full skirt in "liberty blue," according to the Daily Mail.

In 2017, Trump garnered criticism for wearing a $51,500 Dolce & Gabbana jacket at the Group of Seven summit in Italy.

In 2017, Trump garnered criticism for wearing a $51,500 Dolce & Gabbana jacket at the Group of Seven summit in Italy.
First lady Melania Trump arrives for a visit at the City Hall of Catania during the 2017 G7 Summit.GIOVANNI ISOLINO/AFP via Getty Images

Trump wore the look to meet with spouses of world leaders at the G-7 summit in Italy.

The full cost of the jacket is more than most Americans make in a year, which proved a controversial choice.

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