Melania Trump’s distinct choice of hat for the inauguration sparked diverse interpretations—it could be seen as a tribute to traditional American conservatism or a sign of her husband Donald Trump’s grand ambitions, depending on perspectives.
Eric Javits, the hat’s creator, explained to ABC News that the design was meant to be “simple,” “understated,” and “classic.”
“This is a moment of some restraint, and it’s essentially a transition towards more conservative ideals,” said designer Eric Javits. “I believe she aimed for a look that was very elegant and straightforward.”
However, fashion analysts viewed the navy boater-style hat, which had a broad brim partially obscuring Trump’s eyes, as reminiscent of a masked outlaw, conveying a sense of “mystery and inaccessibility.”
The combination of the hat with a snugly fastened navy coat and a high-neck white blouse was “aligned with the reserved image Mrs. Trump has nurtured since her husband’s political rise,” stated Vanessa Friedman, chief fashion critic for the New York Times.
The ensemble also hinted at the “promise of an imperial presidency that President Trump has suggested,” Friedman noted.
Moreover, Melania Trump’s decision to keep her hat and coat on even within the Capitol Rotunda—during the ceremony for the incoming president—further emphasized her portrayal as an imperial figure, according to Friedman.
