How Melania Trump's style has evolved, from her modeling days to first lady life

Samantha GrindellNov 6, 2024, 01:18 IST

Melania Trump's style has changed over the years.Diane Freed / Stringer / JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images / Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images<ul class="summary-list"><li>Melania Trump has been in the public eye since the 1990s.</li><li>Her style has evolved as she went from a model and Donald Trump's girlfriend to first lady.</li></ul><a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/melania-trump-book-memoir-scandals-2024-10">Melania Trump</a> has been a public figure since she first became involved with Donald Trump in the 1990s.Melania, 54, was working as a model at the time, and her life changed dramatically as she became a high-profile businessman's wife and eventually first lady — as did her style.Take a look back at Melania's fashion evolution, from her days walking red carpets to her political life.

When Melania first started making public appearances in the late 1990s, her style was similar to other models of the day.

Donald and Melania Trump at a party for "Celebrity" in New York in 1998.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

At an awards show in June 1999, she embraced sparkles.

Melania Trump attends the Annual Fragrance Foundation Fifi Awards in June 1999.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Melania also experimented with sheer fabric in the early days of her career, as she did at a film premiere in October 2000.

Melania Trump attends the "Charlie's Angels" premiere in October 2000.Evan Agostini/Getty Images

The daring neckline on her dress for the March 2001 Academy Awards wasn't uncommon for Melania at the time.

Donald and Melania Trump arrive for the 73rd Annual Academy Awards in March 2001.Chris Weeks/Getty Images

In September 2002, Melania showed off a more laid-back style during New York Fashion Week.

Melania Trump attends a fashion show in New York City in September 2002.Evan Agostini/ImageDirect/Getty Images

The gown she wore to the Angel Ball in October 2003 featured a strapless neckline.

Melania Trump attends the Angel Ball in October 2003.Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage for G/P Foundation/Getty Images

The night she got engaged, Melania wore a semi-sheer dress to the Met Gala.

Donald and Melania Trump attend the 2004 Met Gala.Steve Eichner/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images

A few months after she got engaged, Melania showed off her casual style once again.

Melania Trump at the Olympus Fashion Week in September 2004.Lawrence Lucier/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Melania still leaned into daring looks when she was pregnant in October 2005.

Melania Trump attends the Night of Stars event in October 2005.Evan Agostini/Getty Images

See-through fabric and lace continued to be staples for Melania in September 2006.

Melania Trump attends the Metropolitan Opera Opening Night Dinner in September 2006.Patrick McMullan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

She still looked every bit the model at the 2007 Met Gala.

Melania Trump attends the 2007 Met Gala.Peter Kramer/Getty Images

In February 2007, Melania showed off a chicer side of her style at a Fashion Week event.

Donald and Melania Trump attend a Fashion Week event in February 2007.Katy Winn/Getty Images for IMG

Her dress for the 2008 Met Gala was hot pink.

Melania Trump attends the 2008 Met Gala.Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage/Getty Images

Melania seemed to still be a fan of sparkles in December 2009.

Melania Trump attends the premiere of "Nine" in December 2009.Jim Spellman/WireImage/Getty Images

Melania's style was simple but chic at a November 2010 event.

Melania Trump attends the Moves Magazine Power Women awards dinner and ceremony in November 2010.Henry S. Dziekan III/Getty Images

But when she appeared at a SiriusXM event in September 2011, Melania showed off a more professional side of her style.

Melania Trump at SiriusXM in September 2011.Taylor Hill/Getty Images

Melania donned a more modest dress for a August 2012 appearance on "Good Afternoon America."

Melania Trump arrives at a taping of "Good Afternoon America" in August 2012.Ray Tamarra/Getty Images

She wore all-white to a golf event at Mar-a-Lago in January 2013.

Melania Trump, Barron Trump, and Donald Trump attend Trump Invitational Grand Prix at Mar-a-Lago in January 2013.Larry Marano/Getty Images

Melania's outfit for the New York Ball in November 2014 blended her love of sheer with a professional edge.

Melania Trump attends The New York Ball at Trump Tower in November 2014.Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

When she appeared on a Barbara Walters special in 2015, Melania looked every bit the politician's wife.

Melania and Donald Trump on "Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2015" in November 2015.Ida Mae Astute/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images

Her white dress for the July 2016 Republican National Convention was simple, aside from its playful sleeves.

Melania Trump at the Republican National Convention in July 2016.Ida Mae Astute/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images

Melania nodded to Jackie Kennedy with her outfit for Trump's inauguration in January 2017.

Donald and Melania Trump walk through Washington, DC, on Inauguration Day in January 2017.JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

Her dress for the Inauguration Ball was custom-made.

Donald and Melania Trump at the Inaugration Ball in January 2017.Kevin Dietsch - Pool/Getty Images

Melania didn't always send the right message after she became first lady.

In June 2018, Melania Trump wore a jacket that said, "I really don't care, do u?"Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

But she dressed for the occasion when she had dinner with the royal family in June 2019.

Then-Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles with Donald and Melania Trump at Winfield House in June 2019.CHRIS JACKSON/AFP via Getty Images

She leaned into a professional look to accompany Trump to a September 2020 presidential debate.

Donald and Melania Trump arrive in Ohio for a presidential debate in September 2020.MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

Melania wore contrasting looks on Inauguration Day 2021, sending two different messages.

Melania had an outfit change on Inauguration Day in 2021.Noam Galai/The Washington Post/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Her public appearances became less frequent in 2022, but Melania wore sparkles for a New Year's Eve party.

Donald and Melania Trump at a New Year's Eve party at Mar-a-Lago in December 2022.Joe Raedle/Getty Images

When photographed entering Trump Tower in June 2023, she wore a more casual look.

Melania Trump walks into Trump Tower in June 2023.James Devaney/GC Images

But by the time she attended the July 2024 RNC, Melania returned to the first lady playbook.

Melania Trump at the Republican National Convention in July 2024.Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

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