Throughout her time as First Lady, Melania Trump made headlines not just for her role in the White House, but for her impeccable fashion sense. Known for her elegant and sometimes bold fashion choices, Melania often turned heads with her wardrobe, which included designer dresses, luxury accessories, and high-end footwear. Here’s a look at some of the most expensive outfits Melania Trump has ever worn during her time in the public eye.
1. Ralph Lauren Inauguration Day Ensemble
For her husband’s swearing-in as the 45th President of the United States in January 2017, Melania Trump stunned the world with a powder blue Ralph Lauren ensemble. The outfit consisted of a custom-made coat, dress, and gloves. The entire ensemble, estimated to cost upwards of $10,000, was elegant yet powerful, exuding a sense of poise and grace. Melania's choice of Ralph Lauren, an American designer known for luxury, was seen as a nod to both her own style and her husband's political ethos.
2. Her $15,000 Chanel Haute Couture Gown
At a state dinner in 2019, Melania Trump wore a show-stopping, custom-made Chanel haute couture gown. This dress, which featured delicate black lace and intricate beading, was estimated to be valued at around $15,000. The gown's timeless design made her look every bit the part of a First Lady, and the use of Chanel's signature luxury craftsmanship made it one of her most talked-about outfits.
3. The $50,000 White House State Dinner Dress
For the state dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron in 2018, Melania Trump wore a custom-made gown by designer Herve Pierre. The gown, a stunning white silk dress with intricate embroidery, was said to have cost around $50,000. The dress fit perfectly with the glamorous atmosphere of the event and further solidified Melania’s reputation as a fashion icon.
4. The $22,000 Dolce & Gabbana Floral Dress
Melania Trump turned heads during her visit to Italy in 2017 when she donned a $22,000 Dolce & Gabbana floral dress for a dinner with the Italian Prime Minister. The dress, part of the luxury brand’s Spring/Summer collection, was an embodiment of high-fashion elegance. The intricate floral design on the dress, combined with its luxurious price tag, drew the attention of both fashion critics and political pundits.
5. The $11,000 Christian Louboutin Shoes
Known for her love of luxury accessories, Melania Trump was often seen sporting Christian Louboutin shoes, including a stunning pair of heels during a 2017 trip to Italy. The shoes, which featured the designer’s signature red soles, cost approximately $11,000. This price tag might seem extravagant, but it’s typical of the type of footwear Melania was often seen wearing—high-end, stylish, and incredibly sophisticated.
6. The $18,000 “I Really Don’t Care” Jacket
Perhaps one of Melania's most controversial outfits was the $18,000 jacket by French designer Zara, which she wore in 2018 while visiting a detention center for immigrant children. The jacket, which featured the words "I REALLY DON'T CARE, DO U?" on the back, sparked widespread criticism and media attention. Despite the controversy, the jacket remains one of her most expensive and polarizing fashion moments.
7. The $30,000 Balmain Coat
Melania Trump sported a $30,000 Balmain coat during a trip to Davos, Switzerland, in 2018. The coat, with its structured fit and signature gold buttons, was a standout moment in Melania’s fashion repertoire. Balmain is known for its opulent designs, and this particular coat highlighted her sophisticated, high-fashion taste.