24 of the most expensive designer outfits that first ladies have worn

Talia LakritzApr 23, 2024, 23:06 IST

Jill Biden's Oscar de la Renta gown from the White House state dinner for Japan retails for nearly $16,000.MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

Michelle Obama's custom state-dinner gowns were worth an estimated $12,000.
Melania Trump wore a $51,500 Dolce & Gabbana jacket at the 2017 G7 summit.

As highly visible public figures, first ladies choose their clothes carefully. Their outfits have historically served as important tools in crafting their legacies — and occasionally sending subtle messages.

First ladies have also been known to drive fashion trends by popularizing certain styles and causing the items they wear to sell out instantly.

Here are some of the most expensive outfits first ladies have worn.

In 2009, Michelle Obama garnered criticism for wearing $540 Lanvin sneakers to a food bank.

First lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden at an event at a food bank.Brooks Kraft LLC/Corbis via Getty Images

Obama gave her famous "When they go low, we go high" speech at the 2016 Democratic National Convention in a $995 blue Christian Siriano dress.

First lady Michelle Obama speaks at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call/Getty Images

Jill Biden wore a $1,000 powder-blue suit designed by Adam Lippes to meet with Queen Elizabeth in 2021.

First lady Jill Biden, Queen Elizabeth, and President Joe Biden at Windsor Castle.Richard Pohle-WPA Pool/Getty Images

Biden wore a $1,390 polka-dot Brandon Maxwell dress to the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

Jill Biden at the Tokyo Olympics.Dylan Martinez - Pool/Getty Images

Obama wore a $1,595 grey tweed Michael Kors suit to the 2015 State of the Union speech.

First lady Michelle Obama prior to President Barack Obama's State of the Union speech.Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Her yellow Narciso Rodriguez dress from the 2016 State of the Union retailed for $2,095.

Then-first lady Michelle Obama at the State of the Union address.SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

Melania Trump matched French first lady Brigitte Macron in a white Michael Kors jacket costing $2,195 in 2018.

Melania Trump and Brigitte Macron visit the National Gallery of Art.Brian Snyder/Reuters

In 2015, Michelle Obama greeted Pope Francis wearing a blue Carolina Herrera dress that retails for $2,290.

Pope Francis is escorted by President Barack Obama, first Lady Michelle Obama, and their daughters.Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Biden's blue Oscar de la Renta dress, which she wore on the cover of Vogue, retails for $2,690.

First lady Jill Biden arrives in Savannah, Georgia.JIM WATSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Trump's hot-pink Delpozo dress, worn to a United Nations luncheon in 2017, was priced at $2,950.

Melania Trump addresses a luncheon at the US Mission to the United Nations.Craig Ruttle/AP

She wore a $3,701 yellow Gucci coat to a meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin in 2018.

First lady Melania Trump, President Donald Trump, and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose for a photo.Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

Trump wore a $3,950 Bottega Veneta coat while giving out candy to trick-or-treaters in 2018.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcome trick-or-treaters to the White House.Mike Theiler-Pool/Getty Images

Obama's Naeem Khan dress, worn to meet with Cuban President Raul Castro in 2016, retailed for $4,490.

Cuban President Raul Castro with first lady Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama.Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Biden has worn a $5,690 Oscar de la Renta dress with flower embroidery on several occasions.

President-elect Joe Biden with Dr. Jill Biden after being declared the winner of the US presidential election.ANDREW HARNIK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

In 2018, Trump wore a $6,990 pale-yellow pleated chiffon gown by J. Mendel on her and President Trump's first official visit to the UK.

President Donald Trump and Melania Trump depart for Blenheim Palace for dinner with Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May.Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

On the eve of the inauguration, Biden wore Jonathan Cohen's "Unity" coat and dress in a matching set totaling $6,190.

President Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden on the eve of his inauguration.PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images

Trump wore a Monique Lhuillier gown priced at $7,995 to a 2017 White House reception.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump at a White House reception.Alex Wong/Getty Images

Trump wore an embroidered Michael Kors jacket-and-skirt ensemble totaling $9,590 for a joint session of Congress in 2017.

Melania Trump at President Trump's speech to a joint session of Congress.Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP

For her last state dinner as first lady in 2016, Obama wore a custom Atelier Versace gown made of rose-gold chain mail with an estimated cost of $12,000.

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and his wife, Agnese Landini.Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Obama wore a custom Carolina Herrera gown, also worth an estimated $12,000, for a state dinner with President Francois Hollande of France in 2014.

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama with French President Francois Hollande.Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

Biden's white Gabriela Hearst dress, worn to an event for King Charles III's coronation in May 2023, retails for $15,900.

First lady Jill Biden arrives in Downing Street to attend the Coronation Big Lunch hosted by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty.Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images

Biden wore a $15,990 Oscar de la Renta gown at a state dinner for Japan in April.

President Joe Biden and Jill Biden with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his wife Yuko Kishida at a White House state dinner.MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

Biden wore a custom Oscar de la Renta gown that retails for $16,000 to the Grammys in 2023.

First lady Jill Biden presents at the 2023 Grammy Awards.Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images

In 2017, Trump garnered criticism for wearing a $51,500 Dolce & Gabbana jacket at the Group of Seven summit in Italy.

First lady Melania Trump arrives for a visit at the City Hall of Catania during the 2017 G7 Summit.GIOVANNI ISOLINO/AFP via Getty Images

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