Melania Trump, the wife of former President Donald Trump, recently displayed her extraordinary fashion talent. In March, she dazzled the world on a state visit to the United Kingdom. The trade visit took place between September 17 and 19. It was a huge affair, fronted by a glittering white-tie state banquet at Windsor Castle, showcasing the five-day-long series of high-profile events. It wasn’t what she chose to wear—or even her failure to perform a curtsy—that caused the biggest stir.
During the state visit, Melania Trump stole the show in a attention-grabbing sand-colored, double-breasted Burberry coat. The coat fitted at the waist, creating a gorgeous hourglass figure. Its smartly peaked collar tone was the high point of haute sensitivity and cutting-edge freshness. Herve Pierre, Melania’s stylist, described the look as “a nice way to mix business and femininity. It’s appropriate for the occasion.”
In addition to the Burberry coat, Melania Trump turned heads in a Christian Dior Haute Couture dark gray suit for an earlier event. The combination of a high-cut collar, protuberant sleeves, and a cinched waist created an elegant silhouette that Andrea paired with matching dark gray suede pumps. Melania lets it be known by her sartorial choices that she’s obsessed with French fashion house Dior. She certainly displayed this passion when she selected a glorious $5,500 caviar gray Dior tweed suit for President Trump’s first address to a joint session of Congress.
The visit was characterized by pomp and pageantry including a ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade and meetings with members of the British royal family. When Melania Trump arrived in the UK, she received a friendly greeting from Prince William and Princess Kate. The new Prince and Princess of Wales then joined a carriage procession around the Windsor estate with King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Despite the warm reception, Melania Trump faced scrutiny for failing to curtsey to Princess Kate and Queen Camilla, a gesture typically expected during royal encounters. Marlene Koenig, a distinguished authority on royal protocol, put the matter in simple terms. As she explained, Americans and those from other Commonwealth republics where King Charles is not head of state do not generally curtsy or bow.
“It’s not customary for Americans or indeed people from countries where King Charles is not the sovereign to curtsy or bow,” – Marlene Koenig
As the state visit progressed, Melania Trump’s sartorial selections weren’t the only thing causing a stir. It’s her knowledge of how to combine timeless elegance with 21st century fashion principles that’s made her something of a cult figure among fashion insiders. The Burberry coat and Dior suit were pure examples of this duality at play. They pointed out her stylist’s aim to balance serious business with soft feminine flourishes.
The white-tie state banquet at Windsor Castle can accommodate more than 160 guests. It’s going to be a magnificent display of the Pageantry of British Hospitality! It offered Melania Trump another chance to show off her sartorial style against a scene of royal ceremony.
As the Trumps wrapped up their visit, they seemingly departed leaving in their wake a storm of conversation valuing fashion vs. culture. Trumps choices struck the right chord at the right moment as she makes her arrival to the international stage.
