48 photos that show how beginning ladies' fashion has evolved over the years

Michelle Obama's official White House portrait. She wears a black sleeveless dress.

Michelle Obama has a timeless sense of style.
Joyce N. Boghosian/The White Business firm via Getty Images
  • First ladies take been some of America'due south foremost political influencers and tastemakers.
  • Jackie Kennedy redefined first lady style with glamorous-meets-preppy pieces.
  • Michelle Obama wore sleeveless dresses, while Melania Trump gravitated towards high-end designers.

Martha Washington posed in an ensemble consisting of a gown, cloak, headpiece, and gloves, all of which were common styles in the late 18th century.

Martha Washington, who was married to George Washington, served as first lady from 1789 to 1797.
Hulton Annal/Getty Images

At the turn of the century, ornate, empire-waist gowns were popular for women, co-ordinate to Fashion Era.

For one portrait, Abigail Adams wore a gown that appeared to have an embroidered collar, which she accessorized with pearls.

Abigail Adams, who was married to John Adams, served as first lady from 1797 to 1801.
Benjamin Byth/Harris & Ewing/Library of Congress

While many people at that time took mode cues from the French and opted for satin dresses, Adams reportedly rejected the styles, as  she considered them scandalous.

Elizabeth Monroe had a refined sense of style, favoring cap sleeve dresses and shawls fabricated out of a variety of materials.

Elizabeth Monroe, the wife of James Monroe, served every bit first lady from 1817 to 1825.
The White House

European trends heavily influence Monroe's fashion sense, as she lived abroad in Paris, France, and London, United kingdom, for four years before her husband became president.

Sarah Yorke Jackson as well had a straightforward, classic sense of style.

Sarah Yorke Jackson, Andrew Jackson's daughter-in-law, also served equally acting get-go lady from 1834 to 1837.
Library of Congress

Jackson, who served every bit interim first lady alongside Donelson for two years according to the National Outset Ladies' Library, also preferred dresses with depression necklines and simple updos.

At 21 years quondam, Angelica Singleton Van Buren assumed the part of start lady, and she brought her French-inspired sense of fashion with her to the White House.

Angelica Singleton Van Buren, Van Buren'due south daughter in law, assumed the role of first lady from 1838 to 1841.
Library of Congress

Angelica Singleton Van Buren, Martin Van Buren's daughter-in-constabulary, assumed the role of first lady because Van Buren's wife Hannah passed away 17 years prior. She earned her reputation equally the Jackie O of the 1800s by staying on top of the trends like tight ringlets, feathers as hair accessories, and full-bodied, off-the-shoulder gowns.

Margaret Taylor stuck to high-collared, button-upwards dresses, which were often adorned with brooches.

This is a portrait of Margaret Smith Taylor, the wife of the 12th President of the United States, Zachary Taylor.
Bettmann/Correspondent/Getty Images

Taylor was often pictured with her hair parted down the middle and styled in two high buns.

Jane Pierce's life was marked by tragedy and spent the first ii years of her tenure in deep mourning, which was reflected in her all-blackness outfits.

Jane Pierce, who was married to Franklin Pierce, served as first lady from 1853 to 1857.
J.C. Buttre/Library of Congress

Jane Pierce spent the first two years of her husband'due south term in deep mourning, dressed in undecorated black clothing to pay respect to their 11-year-former son, Benjamin, who was killed in a tragic train accident weeks before Franklin Pierce's inauguration.

Harriet Lane became an overnight fashion sensation when she wore a European-manner gown with a low neckline and floral embellishment to Buchanan'south inauguration.

Harriet Lane, James Buchanan'south niece, assumed the role of starting time lady from 1857 to 1861.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Lane, who served every bit first lady because her uncle James Buchanan never married, donned popular styles like large, ruffled skirts, according to Time. But, equally the National Commencement Ladies' Library notes, she deviated from the norm in other respects, pioneering trends like lacy necklines, unproblematic hairstyles, and floral accessories.

Like Lane, Mary Todd Lincoln wore European-style gowns and floral pilus accessories.

Mary Todd Lincoln, the married woman of Abraham Lincoln, was beginning lady from 1861 to 1865.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Lincoln favored assuming, argument-making dresses that price upwards to $2,000, according to Fourth dimension. Lincoln often emulated Lane'due south mode, even going and so far as to replicate Lane's garland-adorned gown for her ain inauguration in 1861, Fourth dimension reported.

Similar many first ladies in the 19th century, Eliza McCardle Johnson reportedly preferred to stay out of the spotlight, and her fashion reflected that.

Eliza McCardle Johnson, who was married to Andrew Johnson, served as get-go lady from 1865 to 1869.
AP

According to the National Starting time Ladies' Library, Johnson reportedly express her social obligations equally offset lady and seemed to stick to dark pieces with high collars, modest hats, and simple hairstyles.

Lucy Hayes favored dresses with high, lace necklines and large skirts in the belatedly 1870s and early 1880s.

Lucy Hayes, wife of Rutherford B. Hayes, was get-go lady from 1877 to 1881.
AP

The former first lady largely stuck to embroidered dresses in soft colors, as was the popular way at the time.

Lucretia Garfield notably wore a lavender gown with a high neckband to her hubby's inaugural ball in 1881, according to the National First Ladies' Library.

Lucretia Garfield, wife of James Garfield, was first lady for six months in 1881.
Library of Congress

Although her royal clothes was a promising start, Garfield didn't accept much time to plant a distinct fashion of her own every bit get-go lady. In May of 1881, Lucretia Garfield contracted malaria and had relocated to Elberon, New Bailiwick of jersey, to recover when her husband was shot in July of that year. She spent the remainder of her time as kickoff lady tending to her husband.

Mary Arthur McElroy, Chester Arthur'due south sis and acting first lady, preferred to wearable jersey dresses with slim skirts and frilly details.

Mary Arthur McElroy, Chester Arthur'southward sister, assumed the office of outset lady from 1881 to 1885.
Library of Congress

McElroy assumed the function of first lady because Chester Arthur's wife Ellen Arthur passed away earlier he took part in 1881. Equally first lady, she oft styled her hair in a simple updo, assuasive her adorned dress to take center stage, as was common do at the time, according to the University of Vermont.

Caroline Harrison gravitated toward gowns with beaded details and floral patterns in neutral colors.

Caroline Harrison, who was married to Benjamin Harrison, served as first lady from 1889 until 1892.
Library of Congress

Because of her modest way sense, The Philadelphia Times lauded Harrison equally "a sensible exemplar for American women," co-ordinate to the National Museum of American History.

Frances Cleveland broke barriers by wearing dresses that exposed her neck, shoulders, and arms.

Frances Cleveland, Grover Cleveland's married woman, was first lady from 1886 to 1889 and 1893 1897.
Fotosearch/Getty Images

Grover and Frances Cleveland became the first and only president and first lady to wed in the White Business firm when they married in 1886. She was as well the youngest first lady in history at 21 years quondam, making her an instant celebrity and style icon.

Cleveland often wore dresses that showed her shoulders. Her mode elicited the ire of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, which petitioned Frances to stop wearing dresses that they deemed too revealing. She never stopped or responded to their protests.

Edith Roosevelt likewise wore mod styles, like busy, high-waisted dresses with trim skirts and gathered sleeves.

Edith Roosevelt, who was married to Teddy Roosevelt, was first lady from 1901 to 1909.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Roosevelt reportedly despised beingness a public figure and hated having her vesture written almost then much that she tried to throw reporters off by repeatedly wearing the same outfits to public events, according to the National First Ladies' Library.

Helen Taft made history by being the first of the former start ladies to donate her inauguration dress, a white gown with an embroidered floral pattern, to the Smithsonian.

Helen Taft, William Taft'southward wife, served every bit first lady from 1909 to 1913.
AP

In addition to her iconic gown, Taft likewise seemed to love accessories — most notably, large, statement-making hats.

Ellen Wilson cared footling for mode and style, and she ofttimes wore plain or patterned loftier-waisted dresses.

Ellen Wilson, Woodrow Wilson's first wife, served equally first lady from 1913 to 1914.
Topical Press Agency/Getty Images

Wilson claimed to spend less than $1,000 a year on vesture, according to the National Offset Ladies' Library.

Contrasting with Coolidge's trendy fashion sense, Lou Hoover kept her aesthetic more subdued during the Bang-up Depression.

Lou Hoover, the wife of Herbert Hoover, served every bit first lady from 1929 to 1933.
AP

When it came to mode, Hoover kept things simple, favoring American-made dresses, putting an emphasis on cotton clothing and jewelry in 1932, according to the National Museum of American History.

Eleanor Roosevelt's wardrobe consisted of basic pieces that she could dress up or downwardly with accessories.

Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of Franklin D. Roosevelt, served every bit first lady from 1933 to 1945.
John Rooney/AP

Roosevelt oft opted for practical tea-length skirts and suit-similar pieces (like the outfit pictured above), large hats, and, if the occasion called for it, elegant gowns.

Jackie Kennedy redefined first lady fashion, favoring glamorous-meets-preppy pieces like gowns, oversized sunglasses, and patterned scarves.

Jackie Kennedy Onassis, who was married to John F. Kennedy, served as first lady from 1961 to 1963.
Getty Images

By finding a way to put her own spin on everything from dresses to jeans and a T-shirt, Kennedy left a lasting legacy and an enduring mark on American mode.

Claudia "Lady Bird" Johnson was the epitome of glamor and elegance, often pairing bold evening gowns with long, white gloves.

Lady Bird Johnson, who was married to Lyndon B. Johnson, served every bit commencement lady from 1963 to 1969.
AP

For formal events, Johnson often opted for stain gowns, which she paired with fur stoles, gloves, and delicate jewelry. But for day-to-day events, she preferred uncomplicated, colorful adjust-like ensembles.

Pat Nixon was known for pushing way boundaries, equally she wore miniskirts and pants to official events.

Pat Nixon, Richard Nixon'south wife, was first lady from 1969 until 1974.
Hulton Annal/Getty Images

In addition to her then-radical outfit choices, Nixon too wore more traditional pieces like long skirts and adjust jackets, according to the National First Ladies' Library.

Betty Ford gravitated toward mod way, peculiarly high-neck tops, colorful pieces, and patterned scarves.

Betty Ford, Gerald Ford'south wife, was outset lady from 1974 to 1977.
Library of Congress

Before becoming get-go lady, Ford worked in fashion equally a department store model.

Rosalynn Carter preferred high necklines, subdued patterns and long sleeves, according to a 1977 Washington Postal service article.

Rosalynn Carter, married woman of Jimmy Carter, was first lady from 1977 to 1981.
White House/AP

While she was first lady, Carter didn't care much for contemporary fashion, The Washington Post reported.

Nancy Reagan had a glamorous sense of style, preferring feminine dresses, tailored suits, glitzy accessories, and white gloves.

Nancy Reagan, wife of Ronald Reagan, was first lady from 1981 to 1989.
Dirck Halstead/Getty Images

A old extra, Reagan took style very seriously, according to the National First Ladies' Library. The one-time first lady favored suits with piping, shirtwaist dresses, and just nigh anything in a bright, distinct hue dubbed "Reagan Red."

Barbara Bush oft wore preppy outfits in cerise, white, and blue patterns.

Barbara Bush, the married woman of George H. West. Bush, was start lady from 1989 to 1993.
Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Banking company/Getty Images

The former first lady's sartorial signatures were red lipstick, suit jackets, large pearls, and "Bush Blue."

Hillary Rodham Clinton is known for her iconic pantsuits, which she oftentimes pairs with classic statement jewelry.

Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is married to Neb Clinton, was first lady from 1993 to 2001.
Jeff Mitchell/Reuters

While Clinton afterward became known for her trademark pantsuits when she ran for president in 2008 and 2016, she didn't start wearing them regularly until her last twelvemonth as first lady, as they remained controversial, co-ordinate to the National Starting time Ladies' Library.

Painted past the artist Simmie Knox, the first Black portraitist to paint an official presidential portrait, Clinton wearing pants in a first lady portrait was a historic commencement.

In improver to her pantsuits, Clinton as well wore many stylish dresses during her tenure equally showtime lady.

Following in Clinton'due south footsteps, Laura Bush-league often wore tailored suits in a diversity of colors and textures, like this sparkly green ensemble.

Laura Bush, George W. Bush's married woman, was showtime lady from 2001 to 2009.
Puddle/Reuters

Bush-league, who had an overall conservative fashion sense, also favored colorful evening gowns for formal occasions, co-ordinate to the National Beginning Ladies' Library.

Michelle Obama redefined showtime lady style with her beloved of sleeveless dresses, assuming patterns, argument jewelry, and sweaters.

Michelle Obama, who is married to Barack Obama, was first lady from 2009 to 2017.
Joyce Northward. Boghosian/The White House via Getty Images

Obama had a distinctly preppy sense of style, lending frequent comparisons to Jackie Kennedy, and became known for her sleeveless dresses.

"I wore a sleeveless aubergine dress to Barack'south address to the joint session of Congress and a sleeveless black sheath dress for my official White House photo, and suddenly my arms were making headlines," Obama wrote in her 2018 memoir "Becoming."

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