Take Two translates the day’s headlines for Southern California, making sense of the news and cultural events that affect our lives. Produced by Southern California Public Radio and broadcast from October 2012 – June 2021. Hosted by A Martinez.
There's two more days to go before President-elect Trump becomes President Trump.
But just as important as the stances he'll take in office is the look he'll have at his inauguration.
"It really sets the tone for the incoming administration and what it conveys to Americans and the rest of the world," says Michelle Dalton Tyree of Fashion Trends Daily. "It's calculated, incredibly symbolic and has always been watched very closely – especially for what the first lady will be wearing."
Several past first ladies chose white to symbolize a fresh start with a new administration, including Jackie Kennedy, Nancy Reagan and Michelle Obama.
Some pick designers that reflect their home states. In 1993, then-first lady Hillary Clinton chose to harken to the couples roots by choosing Sarah Phillips, a little-known designer from Little Rock, Arkansas.
"But the award for most symbolism goes to Rosalynn Carter's dress," says Tyree. "The country was in the midst of an oil crisis and people were on edge about the economy, so she shopped her own closet and pulled out the dress she had worn before to her husband's inauguration as Georgia's Governor as a show of solidarity."
Tyree says Ralph Lauren is reportedly designing an outfit for Melania Trump on Inauguration Day, despite being a very vocal Hillary Clinton supporter throughout the campaign.
Karl Lagerfeld will dress Mrs. Trump as well, but there are a number of designers who say they won't, including Marc Jacobs and Tom Ford.
“I think whomever is president or the first lady should be wearing clothes at a price point that is accessible to most Americans and wearing clothes that are made in America,” Ford told the L.A. Times. “My clothes are made in Italy and are very expensive and I don’t think most women wear them in our country. The first lady or the president should represent all people."
Meanwhile, Tyree expects Trump to hold fast to his standard attire of custom-made suits from Italian label Brioni.
"He's taken flak for them, not for the look but because they suits are not from his own line and also because he's touted 'Made in America' products in the past," says Tyree.
It's unusual, though, that unlike past years, many designers aren't champing at the bit to outfit a presidential couple for the inauguration.
"Typically, getting a gig like dressing a first lady can catapult your brand," says Tyree. "Michelle Obama did this for several young upstart designers such as Jason Wu."
So the biggest symbol to watch for in the ceremony might be the fashion world stars who aren't taking part in the proceedings.
"People like Ralph Lauren and Karl Lagerfeld are established, so they can afford to do that," says Tyree, "but dressing Melania is potentially fraught with a lot of problems right now, particularly for newer designers, if people think that means you ascribe to her husband's politics. And the fashion world is famously liberal."