Melania Trump turned heads at Donald Trump’s second inauguration with her striking navy silk wool coat by Adam Lippes and a bold wide-brimmed hat designed by American milliner Eric Javits. However, the statement hat almost didn’t make its debut due to a last-minute fashion mishap.
Eric Javits revealed that the hat arrived in New York from his Miami office completely crushed. “It looked like it had been sitting in snow drifts for about a week,” he told WWD. With the damage beyond repair, Javits described the situation as “a little bit of a cliffhanger” as he scrambled to recreate the hat just in time for the event.
Melania’s trusted stylist, Hervé Pierre, played a pivotal role in ensuring the replacement hat made it to her safely. The final look was a triumph, with the wide-brimmed chapeau becoming the centerpiece of her ensemble and sparking widespread social media commentary.
Comparisons ranged from pop culture icons to humorous quips. Some likened Melania’s outfit to Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal look, while others joked she resembled Carmen Sandiego, the fictional globetrotter known for her signature hat and coat. One viral video even captured a moment when the hat’s wide brim thwarted Donald Trump’s attempt to kiss Melania’s cheek, adding to the internet buzz.
Despite the lighthearted reactions, Melania’s choice marked another chapter in her history of bold and elegant fashion. Adam Lippes, the designer behind her coat, expressed pride in the collaboration, saying, “Mrs. Trump’s outfit was created by some of America’s finest craftsmen, and I take great pride in showing such work to the world.”
Adding to the occasion, the couple’s 18-year-old son, now a freshman at New York University, attended the ceremony, towering over his parents. He was just 10 years old during Trump’s first swearing-in ceremony in 2017.
The drama surrounding Melania’s hat highlights the lengths her team goes to maintain her reputation for style and sophistication. The ensemble, which turned heads and sparked memes, cemented her status as a fashion icon, proving once again that her choices are as daring as they are unforgettable.
