Psychedelic! Michelle Obama, Melania Trump rock ’70s-style looks on Inauguration Day

It’s no secret former First Lady Michelle Obama knows how to pull off a show-stopping outfit, but her Inauguration Day 2021 look is one of her best yet. While the world watched on as Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States on Wednesday (EST), the internet’s self-declared fashion experts (including reporters at Starts at 60) couldn’t help but swoon over Michelle’s standout outfit.

The former first lady took inspiration from the 1970s, stepping out in a plum-hued ensemble by South Carolina-based designer Sergio Hudson, which consisted of a turtleneck, wide-legged trousers, and a matching overcoat. She finished the look with a matching belt with gold detailing, black gloves, and this year’s hottest fashion accessory – a facemask.

Not too far behind was newly-appointed Vice President Kamala Harris, who made sure to make a bold fashion statement in a purple dress and coat by American designer Christopher John Rogers as she was sworn in as the first female vice president of the US — and the first black woman and person of South Asian descent to hold that role. Fashion pundits have pointed out that purple is created by combining red and blue – the colours of the Republican and Democratic parties in the US.

Former Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also wore purple to the inauguration, telling reporters: “I did wear purple with a purpose because I knew the theme that President Biden was striking was unity. I thought as you combine red and blue, the way that we are divided politically in our country, you get purple,” Clinton said. “I wanted just to send a bit of a symbolic message that we need to come together.”

Meanwhile, First Lady Jill Biden put her best fashion foot forward in a blue tweed coat and dress by emerging American designer Alexandra O’Neill. She coordinated the outfit with a matching silk face mask and gloves, while she wore her hair out in soft waves. According to multiple reports, Jill’s choice of the colour blue signifies “trust, confidence and stability“.

And Michelle wasn’t the only former first lady to step out in a ’70s-inspired look on Inauguration Day. While Melania Trump and outgoing president Donald Trump didn’t attend the Washington event, the former model made headlines from all the way in Florida, stepping off Air Force One in a vibrant Gucci dress, which retails for AU$4760.

The long-sleeved dress, which featured an orange and navy hexagonal pattern, gave off some serious ’70s vibes, and was a far cry from the outfit she wore earlier in the day for Trump’s farewell event at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, where she wore a sophisticated black Chanel jacket and a Dolce & Gabbana dress teamed with Christian Louboutin heels.

Instead, Melania swapped her heels for some navy flats, and opted for her signature dark sunnies as she departed the plane.