Melania Trump's Most Expensive Outfits So Far

Melania Trump has been one of the most controversial first ladies to ever set foot in the White House — and partially because of her clothing. While some designers have outright refused to work with her as a result of her husband's politics, others have embraced the Slovenia-born mother of one. Like many women in powerful positions on the world stage, Melania has a wardrobe to be reckoned with, and regardless of the criticism that comes her way, she continues to rock pieces that dazzle and, in some cases, make the eyes water with their price tags. 

Occasionally in Melania Trump's stunning style transformation, the FLOTUS has opted for surprisingly down-to-earth outfit choices, like the Timberland boots she wore during a 2017 visit to victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, which cost $170 at the time. She's also been seen in Converse sneakers and streetwear from J. Crew that sell for under $100. But Melania's taste definitely veers on the finer side of life, with several of her most expensive pieces retailing for upwards of $7,000. Unsurprisingly, her most costly garments are often gowns worn to state events, but she's also been known to reach for accessories and outerwear that retail for over $10,000 all by themselves.

Back in September 2017, Melania Trump stood by her husband, President Donald Trump, as he addressed the audience during a reception to welcome the White House Historical Association in the State Dining Room. Melania literally shined in a metallic capelet gown from Monique Lhuillier, which cost a pretty $7,995. Melania finished off the floor-length dress with a thin, velvet ribbon around her waist, and while the sweetheart neckline gave the look some playfulness, the capelet added the sophistication required of the FLOTUS at a state event. Without the sheer overlay, Melania may have come under fire, as Donald Trump Jr.'s ex, Kimberly Guilfoyle, often has for wearing inappropriate outfits at official events. 

Judging from Melania's outfit history, she does enjoy a sparkly silver look every now and then. For example, we saw her in something similar at a New Year's Eve event in 2022, when she sported a sequined Dolce & Gabbana midi dress with matching shoes. This first lady certainly knows how to style sequins for the holidays! But at an inaugural ball in 2025, it was actually Usha Vance, wife of Vice President J.D. Vance, who donned the sequins on her sapphire Reem Acra gown, while Melania opted for a custom black-and-white Hervé Pierre dress. While striking and artistic, it was definitively sequin-free. That said, Melania Trump's bold inauguration ball look did feature one of 2025's hottest accessory trends: the chunky choker.

Melania Trump isn't afraid to make a splash with bright, saturated colors, as we saw with the unforgettable hot-pink bubble-sleeve dress from Delpozo that she wore to a United Nations event in 2017. But while the first lady knows how to turn heads with energetic 'fits, she's also well-versed in going down the route of classic sophistication with monochromatic neutrals. Women in the British royal family are known to avoid wearing all black unless an event calls for it, but Melania is free from such regulations, so she rocked an all-black 'fit from Michael Kors to accompany her husband as he made his first address to a joint session of Congress in February 2017. 

The look featured an embellished matching jacket and skirt held together by an oversized black belt. With the jacket costing $4,995 and the skirt costing $4,595, this ensemble came together with the final price tag of $9,590. Melania paired her monochromatic look with a gentle nude lip and her signature tightlined eyes and heavy lashes, finishing it off with her glossy locks worn in a simple, deep side part.

People often assume that the most expensive part of an outfit is the main component of the ensemble — usually the dress or suit itself. But Melania Trump has proven that accessories can indeed count for a lot, especially if you're going for the likes of Hermès. In June 2017, Melania officially relocated to the White House for the first time, and her brown Birkin bag's $13,000 price tag made her Bally trousers, Dolce & Gabbana tank, and Manolo Blahnik shoes feel like they came from Target. Owning one bag worth over $10,000 is more than the average American can imagine, but Melania was seen that same year carrying another Birkin — this one smaller and black — said to be worth $75,000. 

The history of Hermès' staple fashion piece, the Birkin, dates back to when British-French icon Jane Birkin requested a carry-all bag for moms who had endless things to cart around for their babies. Several factors have led to their exorbitant pricing, from materials like alligator skin to celebrities giving the collection the nod of approval. The enduring message surrounding the Birkin is that it's the ultimate status symbol since it's incredibly exclusive — remember in "Sex and the City" when Samantha could only secure one by pretending that it was for Lucy Liu? And exclusive they are, with the most expensive Birkin fetching $2 million. By comparison, Melania Trump's $75,000 Birkin seems like a bargain! 

Sometimes, the most expensive part of an outfit isn't the accessories but the outerwear, particularly if you're wearing standout Dolce & Gabbana. Back in 2017, Melania Trump tapped into the dolce-vita lifestyle while in Sicily, Italy, while on a presidential tour with POTUS Donald Trump. Brimming with colorful floral appliqués, Melania's coat and its matching floral purse reportedly set the first lady back over $51,000. Draped over the shoulders of her plain-Jane, neutral embroidered midi dress, the eye-catching coat ensured all eyes were on her. 

While no fashionista can honestly say that this jacket isn't stylish, it earned Melania a ton of backlash for its excessive retail price, which wasn't all that far off from the median annual income in the United States at the time. As a result, some critics felt that it was one of Melania Trump's most inappropriate outfits. "Melania was sporting a coat that cost $51,500!" ranted one user on X, formerly known as Twitter. "That's more than most teachers make in a year! A $51,500 coat doesn't make economic sense." The hefty cost likely came down to the intricate detail designer Stefano Gabbana put into the handmade piece, including metallic threading, satin stitching, individually placed beads, and three-dimensional silk embroidery.

It should hardly come as a surprise, even with outerwear costing over $50,000 and bags costing up to $75,000, that Melania Trump's most expensive outfit to date is her wedding dress. A custom Dior creation, the fairy-tale gown reportedly cost about $100,000. Topped off with a decadent veil that trailed for 16 feet behind the bride, the dress weighed 60 pounds thanks to the use of high-quality duchess satin and 1,500 embroidered diamonds and pearls. The strapless dress was reminiscent of the typical princess style with a fitted bodice and full skirt.

We can't talk about the 2005 Trump nuptials without mentioning the wedding ring: a 13-carat white-diamond beauty that cost the now-POTUS around $1.5 million. In fact, the entire wedding was an expensive affair. The Trumps tied the knot at Bethesda-by-the-Sea, a church in Florida's Palm Beach, while the reception was held in the $35 million Donald J. Trump Grand Ballroom at Mar-a-Lago, which was inspired by Versailles. The hall was decked out with 10,000 flowers to impress the long list of celebrity guests, who were treated to caviar, Cristal champagne, and a wedding cake that set the couple back $50,000. Still, Melania stole the spotlight in her extravagant look.