Melania Trump Goes for ‘Dramatic Flair’ Alongside Her Husband at Movie Premiere
First Lady Melania Trump and her husband, President Donald Trump, attended the premiere of Melania’s big-budget Amazon documentary, and all eyes were on the FLOTUS’ fashion.
For the world premiere of Melania on Jan. 29, Mrs. Trump wore an all-black buttoned skirt suit by Dolce and Gabbana. She completed her look with a slim, black crocodile-skin belt to cinch her waist, and a pair of black Christian Louboutin pointed-toe stilettos.
The president used the word “glamour” when speaking about his wife’s film. A fashion expert agrees that Melania knows how to turn up the glamour, but she also does one thing for just about every public appearance to maintain a “flair for the dramatic” as well.
Melania is ‘expected’ to dress a certain way
Lauren Bulla is a fashion journalist who has been featured in The Independent, New Wave Magazine, and several other publications. She recently became the Fashion Editor of Groupie Magazine. There, she provides in-depth, on-the-ground coverage of New York, Paris, London, Berlin, and Copenhagen fashion weeks.
Speaking on behalf of OLBG, Bulla told Showbiz Cheat Sheet that Melania’s fashion choices have evolved since she stepped into her role of First Lady, explaining, “There are many expectations of dress that [a First Lady] is held to, that simultaneously feeds into larger representations of the White House and the American people’s perception of her impact. First Lady fashion is much like any subcategory within the wider fashion industry. It has always been expanding and constantly shifting in tune with the decade and wider industry trends.
“Not only is the First Lady expected to uphold certain representations of femininity, there is a through-line of strength and power as they hold their own alongside the President. Therefore what they wear is important, and signals a message to their constituents and the rest of the world.”
Bulla continued, “The First Ladies of early America would be seen donning long gowns, conservative hemlines and necklines, as well as elbow-length gloves and expertly tailored details. Lace, taffeta, and other feminine materials were common alongside satin and ribbon. Over the years, the First Ladies have worn many ensembles that hone into elegance and light touch femininity, though each presents their own proclivities for creative flair and experimentation.
“Hillary Clinton focused on expertly tailored suits that had a feminine flair, necklines and silhouettes always nodded to elegance whilst remaining professional, and buttoned-up. Laura Bush was all about conservative clean lines, feminine colour ways and detail. Meanwhile, Michelle Obama was always dressing in a way that aligned with cutting-edge elegance and the latest trends. She was connoted as a risk-taking First Lady in the way she dressed and allowed her personal style to always shine. Not only this but she actively made an effort to champion American designers in her wardrobe.”
How Melania still maintains her ‘flair for the dramatic’
Bulla noted, “With Melania, each of the First Ladies previously mentioned serves as inspiration for the many silhouettes and colorways we’ve seen her wardrobe expand into. Neutral tones, modest silhouettes, and non-obstructive forms have become the baseline behind her many ensembles, much like those before her.
“Melania’s style has undoubtedly changed as she’s stepped into her role as First Lady in the White House. Her tendency to lean toward feminine silhouettes, v-necklines, and a bit of glitzy detail by way of rhinestones and glitter has somewhat waned in light of more conservative dress. We’ve witnessed her wardrobe become more pared back as the years have gone on.”
The fashion expert added, “While her personal style has become more modest, neutral, and traditional as she’s embodied her role at the White House, many of the details she has always leaned toward remain. Her flair for the dramatic still presents itself by way of expressive accessories and details despite modest hemlines, to tell a story behind what is otherwise neutral colorways and simple forms. This likely also plays into the need for her to hold her own, being alongside such an in-your-face president will require something a bit more bold to achieve that.”
