Here's what former first ladies wore on Joe Biden's Inauguration Day, from stylish jackets to symbolic suits

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Here's what former first ladies wore on Joe Biden's Inauguration Day, from stylish jackets to symbolic suits
Doug Emhoff, Kamala Harris, Jill Biden, and Joe Biden on Inauguration Day.Mike Segar/Reuters
  • Former first ladies stole the show with their fashion at Joe Biden's inauguration on Wednesday.
  • Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton both wore purple outfits packed with symbolism.
  • Melania Trump didn't attend the event, but she did make a statement in a black Chanel ensemble.
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Today's inauguration might have been all about Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, but some former first ladies almost stole the show with their fashion.

Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton both arrived at the event wearing purple and burgundy ensembles that were packed with symbolism. Laura Bush, on the other hand, mirrored Jill Biden's fashion in a baby-blue coat. Melania Trump also made a bold fashion statement on Wednesday, despite not attending the event.

From stylish jackets to symbolic suits, here's a look at what former first ladies wore for the historic day.

Melania Trump was photographed on Wednesday in a black ensemble created by European designers

Her outfit included a cropped Chanel jacket with a single row of buttons over a Dolce & Gabbana dress that extended slightly beneath her knees. Trump also accessorized with sheer tights, Christian Louboutin heels, and square-shaped sunglasses.

She wore the ensemble while departing the White House sans face mask. The former first lady and her husband did not attend Biden's inauguration.

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Here's what former first ladies wore on Joe Biden's Inauguration Day, from stylish jackets to symbolic suits
Donald Trump and Melania Trump depart the White House on Wednesday.Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

Michelle Obama, on the other hand, arrived at the Capitol in a plum-colored, three-piece set

Her monochromatic outfit included a turtleneck, wide-legged pants, and an ankle-length coat. Obama completed the look with a black face mask, matching gloves, pointed boots, a curled hairstyle, and a red belt with a statement buckle.

Like other first ladies who attended Biden's inauguration, Obama's outfit was majorly symbolic. Not only was it designed by Sergio Hudson, a Black fashion designer who she's worked with in the past, as reported by The Cut, but its purple-hued shade is also representative of bipartisanship and women's suffrage.

ABC News previously reported that purple can be used as a symbol of unity, as it's a "middle-of-the-road" shade between red and blue.

Here's what former first ladies wore on Joe Biden's Inauguration Day, from stylish jackets to symbolic suits
Barack Obama and Michelle Obama at Joe Biden's 2021 inauguration.Win McNamee/Getty Images

Many people have also pointed out that Obama's outfit contrasts a similar look she wore to Donald Trump's inauguration in January 2017. At the time, she donned a maroon coat, matching dress, black boots, and an updo hairstyle - all of which were arguably more casual than the outfit she sported on Wednesday.

Here's what former first ladies wore on Joe Biden's Inauguration Day, from stylish jackets to symbolic suits
Melania Trump, Donald Trump, Barack Obama, and Michelle Obama in January 2017.Pool New/Reuters

Laura Bush mirrored Jill Biden with her baby-blue outfit

She wore a gray dress underneath a baby-blue coat, which she closed with only one button. The former first lady also wore sheer tights, black flats, a gray face mask, and shining pearls.

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The outfit's color scheme resembled the blue ensemble worn by Jill Biden at the same event.

Here's what former first ladies wore on Joe Biden's Inauguration Day, from stylish jackets to symbolic suits
George W. Bush and Laura Bush at Joe Biden's inauguration.Win McNamee/AP

Hillary Clinton made a symbolic statement in a purple suit

Like Obama, Clinton arrived wearing a plum-colored outfit. Hers included a long coat over a purple blouse, matching pants, and a coordinated scarf. The latter accessory was styled similar to a pussy-bow collar, which is often worn by female politicians as a symbol of protest.

Clinton has worn purple to make a statement in the past. In 2017, she and her husband Bill Clinton both wore purple as a sign of bipartisanship after Donald Trump won the presidential election.

Here's what former first ladies wore on Joe Biden's Inauguration Day, from stylish jackets to symbolic suits
Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton at Joe Biden's inauguration on Wednesday.Brendan McDermid/Reuters
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