Though we usually wait eight years, or two presidential terms, for such a historical hallmark celebration, President Joe Biden’s inaugural day came after a mere four years (even if it did seem longer to some people). Inauguration day is always a monumental day for Americans; it brings forth new hope, new perspectives, new ambitions and, of course, new fashions. It was a great day for Americans, but perhaps an even better day for coats everywhere.
Joe Biden
Let’s start with the commander-in-chief himself, sporting an all-navy Ralph Lauren suit for his inaugural day. The newly elected president topped off the ensemble with a periwinkle tie and a navy peacoat accessorized with an American flag pin. Ralph Lauren is a very well-known American designer known for his classic Americana designs.
Kamala Harris
Ahead of inauguration day, Kamala Harris wore a camel Pyer Moss coat to the COVID-19 memorial. On the day of inauguration, the vice president stepped out in a black pair of Manolo Blahniks and wore an indigo outfit by Christopher John Rogers. For the Celebrating America special, Harris wore a black sequin cocktail dress and black tuxedo coat. Each of these designers is both Black and American, a very intentional statement made by the VP.
Jill Biden
At the COVID-19 memorial, Dr. Jill Biden wore a plum paneled dress and matching wrap coat tied with a ribbon by Jonathan Cohen FW21. For her husband’s presidential inauguration, the first lady wore a turquoise blue Markarian tweed coat lined with velvet and matching turquoise dress studded with Swarovski crystals. For the Celebrating America concert, Jill wore a white dress and coat designed by Gabriela Hearst, the incoming creative director for Chloé. Floral embroidery was featured along the dress’s sheer neckline as well as the coat’s hemline.
Michelle Obama
Former first lady of the White House, Michelle Obama, wore a monochromatic plum ensemble. She wore a floor-length coat, turtleneck and wide-legged pants designed by Sergio Hudson. The look was complete with a gold oversized belt.
Lady Gaga
On the eve of the inauguration, Lady Gaga stunned in a double cashmere, white Givenchy cape coat, matching pair of slacks and a pair of Giuseppe Zanotti platform boots. She polished off this look with a chunky Givenchy link necklace. For inauguration day, Gaga sang the national anthem in a Schiaparelli Haute Couture dress characterized by a fitted navy cashmere jacket over a red silk faille skirt. The jacket was accessorized with a prominent golden dove brooch.
Jennifer Lopez
The day before the inauguration, Miss Lopez wore a classic wool houndstooth print coat and wide-legged pants by Chanel on the steps of the Capitol building. For the day of the inauguration, Lopez wore an all-white ensemble composed of a ruffled silk blouse with a floor-length tweed Chanel coat. Beneath her very professional look, she wore sequined wide-legged pants staying true to her very glamorous JLo style. She performed a rendition medley of “This Land Is Your Land” and “America The Beautiful.”
Amanda Gorman
Inauguration day brought forth a special poet and activist to centerstage, leaving everyone truly enamored by the power of her words. Amanda Gorman became a topic of conversation just as much for what she said as for what she wore. Gorman wore a scarlet satin-padded Prada headband and a mustard yellow, double breasted Prada coat.
Ella Emhoff
The VP’s stepdaughter, Ella Emhoff, stepped out in an earth tone, houndstooth plaid print Miu Miu coat studded with yellow and orange crystals across the shoulders with an embroidered white collar. Beneath the coat, she wore a burgundy Batsheva moiré dress. The 22–year-old Parson’s student became an overnight sensation and people are looking forward to the creativity she brings to the White House.
Maya and Meena Harris
Kamala Harris’s younger sister, Maya Harris, wore a navy Alexander McQueen pantsuit with a double-face silk georgette ivory blouse. The outfit was put together by designer Daniela Corte. Meena Harris, Kamala Harris’s niece, wore a seafoam green Ulla Johnson ruffled top with matching skirt. Over the ensemble, she wore a forest green Coach shearling jacket, and she finished the look with a pair of silver stiletto boots.
Ashley Biden
Joe Biden’s daughter, Ashley Biden, wore a navy double breasted coat dress for Inauguration Day with matching leather gloves. She captured the attention of the internet after she showed up to the Celebrating America celebration wearing a Ralph Lauren tuxedo with Chloe Gosselin pumps.
Biden Grandchildren
This photo of Joe Biden’s grandchildren lives in my mind rent-free. The group largely followed suit with monochromatic looks from Naomi in all-white, Finnegan in camel, Natalie in pink and Maisy in a dark navy flared leg pantsuit. The grandkids really caught attention for their fashion following the inauguration at Celebrating America. Naomi Biden wore a magenta midi dress with a statement bow and matching stiletto heels. Maisy Biden wore white Rodarte dress with red detailing and paired it along with Nike sneakers. Finnegan Biden wore an orange sequined Markarian column gown with black straps around the shoulders. Natalie Biden wore a Palaoma gold sequined A-line Markarian. There is no question that this is one of the more fashion-sensible families we’ve had from a president’s family.
Katy Perry
Katy Perry sang her American classic pop song “Firework” for the Celebrating America ceremony. The pop singer wore an elegant, all-white Thom Browne cashmere coat with navy buttons, satin structured corset and floor-length silk satin skirt accented with red buttons trailing down her hip. The outfit was completed by matching opera gloves and a matching cape.
Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato wore a Stella McCartney gray pantsuit as she sang a cover of Bill Withers’ “Lovely Day” for Celebrating America. Antithetical to a classic suit, Lovato’s blazer hemline came well below the hips and the pant hemline above the ankles. She finished the look with a pair of gold hoop earrings and a pink-haired pixie cut.
The Legends
John Legend performed at the Celebrating America special with a cover of Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good.” For the occasion, he wore a Gucci camel pea coat with fitted navy trousers and a chunky black scarf. Chrissy Teigen wore a cherry red double-breasted tuxedo coat designed by Proenza Schouler with strappy heels by Bottega Veneta. Luna and Myles wore white and navy pea coats respectively.