Being the First Lady of the United States is a bigger job than you may think. Not only are you supposed to set a standard as an upstanding citizen and give monumental support to your husband, a.k.a, the President of the United States, but you're also criticized and expected to look and behave a certain way by the thousands of eyes that are on you constantly.
The First Lady is looked to as somewhat of a fashion icon. So, just like every fashion icon, you're bound to make some blunders. Here are the most controversial First Lady fashion moments in the history of the United States.
Michelle Obama
In 2009 on a trip to the Grand Canyon with her family, Michelle Obama decided to show a little leg.....of course people went ballistic. Many people claimed that it was "inappropriate" for her to show her legs to the world.
It caused such a riot in fact, that Obama admits it was one of her biggest fashion regrets since it, "created a huge stink."
Nancy Reagan
We love a controversial queen. Nancy "secretly" (not so secretly) "borrowed" $2,000 Adolfo suits and $22,000 Galanos gowns even though she was warned by White House lawyers that this had to be disclosed under the Ethics in Government Act.
Basically, every time Reagan walked into a room wearing a gown or a seemingly nice and expensive outfit, she was criticized.
Melania Trump
Melania chose to wear a "pussy-bow blouse" (yes, this is the real name) that cost a whopping $1,100, days after the video surfaced of her husband (our president) saying in a conversation with Billy Bush, that "When you're a star, they let you do it. You can do anything.
Grab them by the p****." The irony of this fashion choice by the First Lady a few days later made the country do one big eye roll.
Melania Trump
During her second visit to Saudi Arabia in May, she didn't wear a headscarf. Not a big deal, right? Well, her husband, Donald Trump sure had a lot to say about Michelle Obama not wearing one during her visit to Saudi Arabia.
Perhaps a bit of hypocrisy here but no big deal. Donald has always been the quick one to judge politicians that came before him and then "not recall" or flat out deny his words from the past.
Melania Trump
Apparently, this dress is the Delpozo dress that everyone loves to hate.
Melania has a track record of wearing internationally-designed dresses, even though President Trump said in his Inaugural Address, "We will follow two simple rules: Buy American and hire American." Even Fox News was quick to jump down this controversy's throat.
Melania Trump
Melania Trump then made headlines AGAIN, while making a speech at the U.N., wearing a $2,950 Delpozo dress making statements like, "No child should ever feel hungry."
Betty Ford
Betty Ford is iconic in countless ways.
She rocked the boat not only when she was captured posing atop the presidential cabinet table, but when she was also one of the first women to wear a pantsuit in public. (Sorry Hillary).
Melania Trump
In case you didn't already know, Melania Trump is FLOTUS now.
When she wore this hat publicly announcing her position, the internet was very quick to mock her, as the internet does.
Hillary Clinton
Apparently, Hillary Clinton left the Japanese very "baffled" when she wore all-black ensembles for three days in a row to her trip there in 1996.
To be honest, we don't know what's wrong with that, black is a very slimming color.
Eleanor Roosevelt
During her 12 month tenure at the White House, (back when four-term offices were a thing), she managed to be photographed wearing a bathing suit.
Surprisingly enough, First Ladies don't go swimming fully clothed.
Melania Trump
Do you recall *that* Ralph Lauren shirtdress that Trump wore during her not so happy trip to Saudi Arabia? The First Lady has been called out multiple times for being an outfit-repeater. (A repeated number of times).
There were also the heels. The Snakeskin Manolo Blahnik's were completely the right choice to wear to the aftermath of a natural disaster.
Michelle Obama
In 2008, Michelle Obama decided to take her White House portrait in a sleeveless dress.
Naturally, America lost it, saying it was entirely "too formal", and "out of season." Listen America, if we had Michelle Obama's arms, we would be wearing sleeveless dresses everyday too, no matter the season or formality.
Melania Trump
In September 2017, the First Lady showed up to her first White House garden even in a $1,380 plaid shirt.
A twitter user responded "That's obscene." We just bought the same plaid shirt for $8 from Tj Maxx.
Barbara Bush
You know how blue is basically a designated, "democrat color" and red a "republican color"?
Well, it's because of this that Barbara Bush had the public stirring when she wore a blue velvet gown instead of, well any other color, because it seemed as though she was "representing" the Dems.
Dolley Madison
Let's take you way back to 1809, yes, scandal existed for the First Lady even then.
Dolley Madison was the wife of the Unites State's former president James Madison, and she was often criticized for showing a little more cleavage than usual for those times.
Melania Trump
The official White House portrait has always had the public talking, and in April the public was sure talking A LOT when they saw the size of the 25-carat rock on Trump's finger, along with the very obviously airbrushed photo.
Melania Trump
The public thought it was incredibly odd and uncomfortable that the First Lady decided to wear traditional attire to visit the Pope when he's known for having more relaxed ideals...
Mary Todd Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln's wife, Mary Todd was a problematic fash-un icon during the 1800s, since she would spend more than $2,000 on a singular dress. Obviously, $2,000 was a lot of money during that time, and spending that amount on just s dress was unheard of.
However, Lincoln came to his wifey's defense by saying, "The President places at my rich dresses and is happy to believe that the few hundred dollars that I obtain from him supply all my wants." Honestly, same.
Melania Trump.....Again
You'll probably see a few names repeated on this list. For the G7 economic summit in Italy back in 2017...
Our current First Lady thought it would be a wonderful and not an internet-stirring idea to wear a $51,000 Dolce & Gabbana coat. Dolce & Gabbana got back at the "haters" by designing a $245 #BoycottDolceandGabbana shirts. Yes......this actually happened.
Melania Trump......ONCE MORE
While visiting Arlington National Cemetery, Melania went for a pair of Gucci sunglasses and the internet went into a tizzy.
The American people saw them as a sign of disrespect due to their gigantic and face-covering nature, and the cost.
Melania Trump
Back in August, 2017, Melania Trump went to visit the Hurricane Harvey victims in heels and a stylish bomber jacket. Of course, the internet was enraged.(Honestly, when isn't the internet enraged).
As you can probably imagine, Stilettos don't exactly scream, "Hey I'm here to help!" Many argued that this outfit was incredibly distracting from the issue at-hand which was the devastation left by Hurricane Harvey.
Hillary Clinton
Hillary Clinton's pantsuits have been the butt-end of the jokes since she was in the White House with former President Bill Clinton.
There's still many people who laugh at her for her appearance, including our current president, Donald Trump.
Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama had the biggest fashion glow-up and was the victim of a major style evolution throughout her eight years in office.
The first glimpse of her style was on stage at the 2008 election gathering, and it had the public BUZZING. Many wondered if they were getting a sneak peak of what was to come fashion wise from the First Lady.
Surprise, Surprise! Melania Trump
There's always that big conversation as to who will be dressing the First Lady on Inauguration Day. However, Trump didn't seem to have many designers lining up at the White House door to dress her for the big day.
She ended up wearing a Ralph Lauren dress, and many designers like Zac Posen who refused to dress her, had a lot to say about it. Many also compared her inauguration style to that of Jackie O's, and OF COURSE, outrage ensued about that as well.