Melania Trump's best looks of 2019: From THAT caped dress to the stunning LGBT rainbow-patterned gown
Ever since her husband became president three years ago, first lady Melania Trump has often been attacked by the mainstream media for both her marriage with Donald Trump that seemed at times to be coming apart at the seams and her lack of active input in policies of his administration. However, a domain that she has made her own and for which she has drawn praise from both the left as well as the right-wing press is her sense of fashion that has only matured and attained perfection over the years she has lived in the White House.
Needless to say, 2019 was no different as Melania fearlessly experimented with vibrant colors and set new trends during important state dinners and other formal engagements, including the caped gown!
Here are some of the highlights from her top fashion moments of this year.
Pretty in Florals
Melania opted for a vibrant orange floral print coatdress from Dries Van Noten's spring/summer 2019 collection and paired it with neon yellow heels for the final ensemble while during a state visit to Japan, where the POTUS and the first lady met with Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako. According to Business Insider, it was estimated that the first lady's array of glamorous outfits for the 48-hour trip cost over £10,000 ($12,668 USD).
Going royal with Dior gown
During a formal state banquet hosted by Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace, which was also attended by Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, Melania chose an ivory silk crepe gown by Dior Haute Couture, which she paired with white gloves. Other members of the first family were also invited for the dinner, including Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, Tiffany Trump and Jared Kushner.
Camel coat at 10 Downing Street
The first lady stunned with her fashion choices more than once when it came to her UK trip. With multiple photo ops with British leaders, the mother-of-one pulled out all stops when it came to dressing to impress. For meeting former British Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband, Philip May, Melania chose a camel coat with a black belt and matching black heels.
First Lady in red Givenchy
While staying at the Winfield House - the residence of the Ambassador of the United States of America - during their visit to the UK, Trump and Melania hosted a dinner for the Duke of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, who attended the dinner on behalf of the Queen. For the occasion, Melania chose a floor-length red wool-crepe gown from Givenchy’s resort ’19 collection which featured a sequin and bead-embroidered bodice panel and cape sleeves. Matching pointy red shoes completed her look.
Hand it to the hat
On the final day of the state visit to the U.K., Melania attended the 75th anniversary of D-Day. She donned a cream-colored coat dress by New York-based brand The Row, which was founded by actresses Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, and a hat. Nude Dior pumps completed her look. The first lady was first seen wearing the outfit at the International Women of Courage Awards in 2017.
Gucci Panache
The first lady arrived in style at the G7 summit dinner in France this year. She opted for a sleeveless cream-colored Gucci dress with a V-neckline and pleats in the front. She completed the look with a silver belt and silver stiletto pumps, turning heads as she posed with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron.
Rocking an Alexander McQueen
For the second night of the G7 summit, Melania donned a stunning sleeveless Alexander McQueen rouge cocktail dress with a gathered waist.
Wearing her pride?
The first lady's choice of outfit for the "Salute to America" ceremony in front of the Lincoln Memorial, on July 4 got mixed reactions from people.
One fashion critic wrote on social media, "Melania Trump looked absolutely gorgeous yesterday at the 4th of July event at the Lincoln Memorial. FLOTUS wore a white off-the-shoulder knitted midi dress by Carolina Herrera and fuchsia patent leather pumps by Christian Louboutin." London's tabloid Express, on the other hand, slammed the outfit. "Fashion fail! Rocking a white Caroline Herrera dress with striped detailing, Melania showed off more than she bargained for, with her nipples showing through the white fabric," it reported.
Others pointed out that there was a possibility that the first lady was showing her support for the LGBT community by picking the particular outfit. "Interesting. Melania has on a white dress with multicolored stripes. Gay pride? She's a rebel," one Twitter user wrote, while another quipped, "Good to see Melania Trump wearing her gay pride dress today. We are reminded that some people are still fighting for liberty."
A low key affair
Perhaps one of the more low-key gowns donned by Melania this year, the first lady wore an aqua green chiffon gown designed by Gilles Mendel for J. Mendel, to mark the occasion. She paired the dress with a pair of patent Christian Louboutin heels. Despite the fact that the gown was not form-fitting, it was a floor-length gown, which meant that her toned legs were not displayed in the attire.
The caped gown!
Melania chose to wear a canary yellow Valentino cape coat over a bright magenta dress from her stylist Hervé Pierre, which matched the Christian Louboutin stilettos on her feet, as she joined her husband for tea at Clarence House, hosted by the Queen marking 70 years of the NATO alliance. It was also attended by the Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.