Breaking News

A century of inauguration fashion

Updated 4:56 PM ET, Thu January 17, 2013

Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.

Michelle Obama's Jason Wu inaugural ball gown helped put both the first lady and the fashion designer on fashion "it" lists. Click through to see styles from the last 100 years of inauguration fashion.
Photos: A century of inauguration fashion
A century of inauguration fashion – Michelle Obama's Jason Wu inaugural ball gown helped put both the first lady and the fashion designer on fashion "it" lists. Click through to see styles from the last 100 years of inauguration fashion.
Hide Caption
1 of 21
Top hats and overcoats were the appropriate garb for Woodrow Wilson's chilly 1913 inauguration. Here, Wilson, left, stands with outgoing President Howard Taft.
Photos: A century of inauguration fashion
A century of inauguration fashion – Top hats and overcoats were the appropriate garb for Woodrow Wilson's chilly 1913 inauguration. Here, Wilson, left, stands with outgoing President Howard Taft.
Hide Caption
2 of 21
President Woodrow Wilson rides by carriage with wife Edith to his second inauguration on March 5, 1917.
Photos: A century of inauguration fashion
A century of inauguration fashion – President Woodrow Wilson rides by carriage with wife Edith to his second inauguration on March 5, 1917.
Hide Caption
3 of 21
From left, President Warren Harding and his wife Florence arrive at Union Station, with Grace Coolidge and then-Vice President Calvin Coolidge for the 1921 inauguration.
Photos: A century of inauguration fashion
A century of inauguration fashion – From left, President Warren Harding and his wife Florence arrive at Union Station, with Grace Coolidge and then-Vice President Calvin Coolidge for the 1921 inauguration.
Hide Caption
4 of 21
Calvin Coolidge and wife Grace travel on Inauguration Day 1923.
Photos: A century of inauguration fashion
A century of inauguration fashion – Calvin Coolidge and wife Grace travel on Inauguration Day 1923.
Hide Caption
5 of 21
Herbert and Lou Hoover at President Hoover's 1929 inauguration.
Photos: A century of inauguration fashion
A century of inauguration fashion – Herbert and Lou Hoover at President Hoover's 1929 inauguration.
Hide Caption
6 of 21
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt ride during his third presidential inauguration in 1941.
Photos: A century of inauguration fashion
A century of inauguration fashion – President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt ride during his third presidential inauguration in 1941.
Hide Caption
7 of 21
Bess and President Harry Truman at his inaugural reception in 1949.
Photos: A century of inauguration fashion
A century of inauguration fashion – Bess and President Harry Truman at his inaugural reception in 1949.
Hide Caption
8 of 21
Mamie and President-elect Dwight Eisenhower leave church on the morning of his inauguration in 1953.
Photos: A century of inauguration fashion
A century of inauguration fashion – Mamie and President-elect Dwight Eisenhower leave church on the morning of his inauguration in 1953.
Hide Caption
9 of 21
President John F. Kennedy arrives with wife Jacqueline for an inaugural ball in 1961.
Photos: A century of inauguration fashion
A century of inauguration fashion – President John F. Kennedy arrives with wife Jacqueline for an inaugural ball in 1961.
Hide Caption
10 of 21
Lady Bird Johnson poses for a portrait before President Lyndon Johnson's inaugural ball in 1965.
Photos: A century of inauguration fashion
A century of inauguration fashion – Lady Bird Johnson poses for a portrait before President Lyndon Johnson's inaugural ball in 1965.
Hide Caption
11 of 21
Pat and President Richard Nixon dance during a ball commemorating his second inauguration in 1973.
Photos: A century of inauguration fashion
A century of inauguration fashion – Pat and President Richard Nixon dance during a ball commemorating his second inauguration in 1973.
Hide Caption
12 of 21
First lady Rosalynn Carter and daughter Amy attend President Jimmy Carter's inaugural ball in 1977.
Photos: A century of inauguration fashion
A century of inauguration fashion – First lady Rosalynn Carter and daughter Amy attend President Jimmy Carter's inaugural ball in 1977.
Hide Caption
13 of 21
President Ronald Reagan poses with wife Nancy for an inaugural family photo in 1981.
Photos: A century of inauguration fashion
A century of inauguration fashion – President Ronald Reagan poses with wife Nancy for an inaugural family photo in 1981.
Hide Caption
14 of 21
President and Nancy Reagan at the Hollywood-star-studded gala for his second inauguration in 1985.
Photos: A century of inauguration fashion
A century of inauguration fashion – President and Nancy Reagan at the Hollywood-star-studded gala for his second inauguration in 1985.
Hide Caption
15 of 21
The dress Barbara Bush wore to George H.W. Bush's presidential inaugural ball in 1989 displayed in the Smithsonian Museum of American History.
Photos: A century of inauguration fashion
A century of inauguration fashion – The dress Barbara Bush wore to George H.W. Bush's presidential inaugural ball in 1989 displayed in the Smithsonian Museum of American History.
Hide Caption
16 of 21
President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton dance during the 1993 Arkansas Inaugural Ball.
Photos: A century of inauguration fashion
A century of inauguration fashion – President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton dance during the 1993 Arkansas Inaugural Ball.
Hide Caption
17 of 21
President and Hillary Clinton attend a second term inaugural ball.
Photos: A century of inauguration fashion
A century of inauguration fashion – President and Hillary Clinton attend a second term inaugural ball.
Hide Caption
18 of 21
Laura and President George W. Bush attend one of nine inaugural balls in 2001.
Photos: A century of inauguration fashion
A century of inauguration fashion – Laura and President George W. Bush attend one of nine inaugural balls in 2001.
Hide Caption
19 of 21
Laura Bush, right, with daughters Barbara, left, and Jenna, center, at the Constitutional Inaugural Ball celebrating President George W. Bush's second term in 2005.
Photos: A century of inauguration fashion
A century of inauguration fashion – Laura Bush, right, with daughters Barbara, left, and Jenna, center, at the Constitutional Inaugural Ball celebrating President George W. Bush's second term in 2005.
Hide Caption
20 of 21
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama wave to the crowd at the 2009 inaugural parade.
Photos: A century of inauguration fashion
A century of inauguration fashion – President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama wave to the crowd at the 2009 inaugural parade.
Hide Caption
21 of 21
A century of inauguration fashionA century of inauguration fashionA century of inauguration fashionA century of inauguration fashionA century of inauguration fashionA century of inauguration fashionA century of inauguration fashionA century of inauguration fashionA century of inauguration fashionA century of inauguration fashionA century of inauguration fashionA century of inauguration fashionA century of inauguration fashionA century of inauguration fashionA century of inauguration fashionA century of inauguration fashionA century of inauguration fashionA century of inauguration fashionA century of inauguration fashionA century of inauguration fashionA century of inauguration fashion