Outdated Outfits Melania Trump Was Caught Wearing

Thanks to her husband's political career, Melania Trump has evolved into a global figure whose name summons an instant image. When we think of Melania, we envision tailored suits, sophisticated dresses, monochromatic outerwear, and an overall refined aesthetic you'd expect from a FLOTUS. Despite several major designers refusing to dress Melania in the past, she has managed to cultivate her own sense of style that echoes the elegance of former first ladies while adding her own personal twist — think the neon ensembles she often rocks or her sparkly numbers that seem more at home on a red carpet than the White House. While much of her wardrobe is timeless, Melania has also donned ensembles that were trendy at the time but haven't aged too well. These at least landed when she wore them, but there have also been a few outfits that were dated then.

A lot of the time, Melania and her stylist get it right, earning praise for design choices like the sky-blue Ralph Lauren 'fit she wore on Inauguration Day back in 2017 or the Givenchy cape dress she wore to mix and mingle with the royal family on a state visit to the United Kingdom in 2019. Other times, Melania Trump has worn outfits that were completely inappropriate, like her infamous "I don't really care. Do u?" jacket worn on her way to visit families at the United States-Mexico border. Looking back through Melania Trump's stunning style transformation, many of her outfits that are now so outdated that she's probably blocked them out of her memory came in the Y2K era, when the newly wedded former model embraced the flouncy silhouettes and chunky accessories of the time. However, even as a first lady on the global stage, she has occasionally opted eyebrow-raising looks.

Election night is arguably one of the biggest moments in the life of a FLOTUS, where even the politically neutral are tuning in out of curiosity. For Election Day 2024, Melania Trump wore a boxy, dark-gray, and overly structured skirt suit that seemed to swim on her. Due to the apparent lack of tailoring, this suit wasn't anywhere near the realm of the style that Melania is capable of, but the double-breasted blazer made this look seem like an ode to the 1980s. The good news is skirt suits aren't just for college preps anymore; you can style this trend by opting for light colors and making it fun with a miniskirt.

Back in 2020, toward the end of Donald Trump's first presidency, the first couple were spotted leaving the White House to attend a Georgia rally in matching crimson accents. While Melania Trump's dark-red leather coat from Alexander McQueen (which cost a casual $6,200) isn't inherently problematic, the colored hide and longer length scream "Y2K television." While the chosen hue was probably appropriate for the wife of the leader of the Republican Party, we'd expect to see this trench on a turn-of-the-millennium TV show like "Friends" or "Charmed" (but we'll admit that Melania's version is decidedly chicer).

Attending New York Fashion Week in 2005, Melania Trump was the epitome of noughties style. From the candy-pink tone of her babydoll top to the layered chunky necklaces complete with religious paraphernalia and the low-rise jeans, you can pretty much guess exactly when this shot was taken without being told — and that's without even considering the side bangs! We're sure Melania wouldn't dream of wearing this now, but it's nice to know she was all over the Y2K look while it was hot. Girly babydoll dresses returned in 2022 with fresh feminine energy, but the specifics of this look will forever belong in the 2000s. 

Melania Trump hasn't been seen at any recent Met Galas — the fashion event of the year — but she did frequently attend it before Donald Trump segued into politics. Her 2010 look was suitably dramatic, with midnight-blue satin, a full-bodied ruffle skirt, and a fitted, strapless corset. But the princess silhouette is something we would have expected to see in the early 2000s, as it's staunchly in contrast to the edgy aesthetics that emerged in the 2010s — at least at the Met Gala. And even when this Cinderella-inspired cut was all the rage in bridal wear, it was a throwback to ballgowns of the 1800s. 

The halter top is a quintessential '90s staple that didn't really survive long into the noughties, but Melania Trump managed to keep it going at least until 2002. Worn with straight-leg capri pants and strappy sandals, this outfit was exactly what we'd expect Melania to wear to the opening of Britney Spears' restaurant, Nyla, in New York City, though it's worlds away from the ensembles gracing her wardrobe today. Halter dresses trended again in summer 2023 thanks to their warm-weather necklines, but the complementary capri pants cement this look in 2002.

All of Melania Trump's Met Gala looks are like little windows into the past, and that's particularly true of this fish-tail satin number she wore in 2005. The mermaid shape of the dress stems from the Edwardian era but became popular in the 20th century, with icons like Marilyn Monroe donning fishtail gowns in the 1950s. They made a comeback in the 1980s, but on less-formal midi dresses rather than red-carpet gowns. But by 2005, this look was firmly on the "not" list.

The billowy nature of the tent dress made it an obvious contender for a fashion staple in 2007. Melania Trump rocked this white, flowing dress to the premiere of "Sex and the City: The Movie" in 2008, so at the time, she was on top of the trends, even if no fashionista would consider this knee-grazing look today. Interestingly, the tent dress did make a triumphant comeback in the late 2010s, but this time, we saw the loose cut on maxi dresses. Let's face it: Stylish or not, the tent dress is breezy, comfortable, and perfect for summer, so we can't blame Melania for this pick.