Lauren Boebert Had One Of The Most Inappropriate Outfits At Trump's Inauguration

United States Representative Lauren Boebert isn't known for a shy and retiring demeanor, either in her words and actions or in her wardrobe. She's repeatedly invited criticism with brash behavior, whether she's posting questionable jokes about her colleagues in the Capitol on social media or being kicked out of a theater for getting handsy with her date. However, none of these controversial moves seem to give Boebert pause, so it's no surprise that she's equally uncowed when it comes to fashion. Boebert gets flak for persistently choosing statement-making garments that are a far cry from the usual staid, demure, and image-friendly staples of political life. As fellow conservative representative Richard Holtorf once said during an interview with the radio station 710KNUS, "She needs to learn how to dress. She needs to learn how to be respectful."

To be fair, world leaders and politicians like Boebert often get held to a higher style standard than regular professionals. After all, they're speaking not only for themselves but also for their constituents. Still, this seems like all the more reason to dress thoughtfully rather than throw aside the conventions of politico fashion. And while Boebert may not have ranked among the very worst-dressed attendees at Trump's inauguration, her outfit still earned itself some side-eye.

The 2025 presidential inauguration felt like a particularly weighty one, with people on both sides of the aisle bracing for possible blowback. (If you're one of the stressed onlookers, consider embracing some tips for protecting your mental health when politics feel overwhelming.) However, Colorado Representative Lauren Boebert seemed nothing but celebratory, and far be it from the outspoken congresswoman to miss a chance to comment. The day before Donald Trump's official inauguration, Boebert took to X, formerly known as Twitter, with a post celebrating his incoming second term. "Daddy's home!" she wrote alongside a Time Magazine cover depicting Trump in the Oval Office. As Boebert may have intended, the post effectively caused a stir, sitting at more than 750,000 views and counting.

Boebert embodied a similarly cheeky, look-at-me energy with her eye-catching ensemble for Inauguration Day itself. Boebert's inappropriate dress — a red, sleeveless number with a figure-hugging bodycon silhouette — was glaringly obvious amid the more restrained looks worn by other guests. From its fitted tailoring to its bright color palette, Boebert's look seemed orchestrated to steal the spotlight on what should have been a day of political transition. The representative also went fully glam with her makeup for the occasion, which is par for the course for her. In fact, the only way we even know what Lauren Boebert looks like without makeup is thanks to a 2017 mugshot that shows the politician without her typical bronzer, dark brows, sooty lashes, and statement lipstick. (The mugshot was in response to an unpaid ticket for careless driving.)

All of this is to say that Boebert wasn't shying away from attention at the inauguration. This tracks with her wardrobe history — Trump's 2025 inauguration wasn't the first time that Lauren Boebert scandalized some citizens with a tight, brightly colored dress, and we doubt it will be the last.

Love it or hate it, Lauren Boebert's head-turning inauguration dress was just her latest step into murky sartorial waters. She seems to delight in wearing ensembles that defy the customary modesty of the congressional dress code, as evidenced by some of Lauren Boebert's other most inappropriate outfits. For instance, Boebert was spotted leaving the Capitol Building in March 2024 wearing an electric-pink bodycon dress with a mid-thigh hemline that seemed a little revealing for her status as a congresswoman. If the color and cut of her minidress weren't enough to absorb, Boebert went all in with mismatched accessories, styling the questionable piece with a fitted white blazer, a black handbag, and nude pumps. Understated, she is not.

That same month, Boebert also wore a skin-tight and sleeveless dress in vivid blue for then-President Joe Biden's State of the Union Address. Is anyone else starting to sense a pattern? Boebert went lighter on the accessories with this loud dress, but it's hard to say whether that was better or worse — while her bracelet and earrings were tasteful, Boebert's choice to leave her blazer at home left the look feeling unfinished and exposed. An outer layer or cap sleeve would have gone a long way in making this feel like an appropriate ensemble for a politician at an official function rather than a flirty, date-night look.

Let's be clear: We'd never argue that Boebert's divisive style says anything about her competence as a congresswoman. Fashion doesn't equate to capability! However, Boebert's consistently boundary-pushing taste does seem to show a lack of decorum. Knowing her wildcard reputation, it's hard to say whether this is a case of oblivious styling or if it reflects an intentional disregard for tradition.