Following her previously notable attire, Melania Trump once again captured attention with her unconventional fashion choices on the second, and concluding, day of the state visit to Britain.
Specifically, for her morning engagement—a tour of the Royal Library at Windsor Castle alongside Queen Camilla—the former First Lady chose a striking caramel-colored Louis Vuitton skirt suit, crafted entirely from leather. Later in the day, for a leisurely outdoor walk with Catherine, Princess of Wales, she transitioned from the Louis Vuitton ensemble to a sophisticated chocolate suede Ralph Lauren safari jacket, paired with elegant beige Loro Piana slacks. These selections, perhaps, were either a practical nod to navigating Frogmore Gardens’ expansive landscape, or a more subtle statement in the intricate dance of international diplomacy.
(Image: Melania Trump in a Louis Vuitton leather suit during her tour of the Royal Library at Windsor Castle with Queen Camilla.)
Similar to the off-the-shoulder gown Mrs. Trump wore to the state banquet—an outfit that challenged royal sartorial norms by revealing her clavicle (a style no longer strictly forbidden but certainly uncommon for such events)—her meticulously buttoned-up leather and suede outfits appeared, on the surface, appropriate, almost conservative. Yet, they subtly evoked deeper, less conventional themes of hierarchy and influence, hinting at who truly holds sway.
To draw a parallel, these looks were a stark contrast to the “respectable Republican cloth coat” that Richard Nixon famously lauded his wife for wearing in 1952. They also diverged from Princess Catherine’s more traditional choice for the garden stroll: a hunter green pussy-bow blouse and matching blazer, worn with a brown midi skirt.
Nonetheless, Mrs. Trump’s fashion decisions aligned perfectly with her personal style, which frequently incorporates military-inspired aesthetics and safari-style jackets. Her approach has consistently pushed boundaries within her public role, notably marked by her infrequent presence at the White House.
This sartorial messaging echoed Mr. Trump’s own choice to abandon the dark suit and royal purple tie he sported for his interaction with King Charles. Instead, he reverted to his characteristic “America First” uniform: a vibrant blue suit, a bold red tie, and a crisp white shirt, for his meeting and subsequent news conference with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Much like his penchant for going off-script, these clothing choices served to assert a distinct agenda.
(Image: Mrs. Trump in a Ralph Lauren suede safari jacket and Loro Piana slacks, walking through Frogmore Gardens with Catherine, Princess of Wales.)
Ultimately, Mrs. Trump’s Ralph Lauren jacket created a fitting sartorial narrative, mirroring the Burberry trench she wore upon her arrival in Britain. The former, an American brand for her departure, the latter, a British brand for her welcoming. However, the true beneficiary of the visit’s fashion spectacle was arguably not either of these brands.
The real winner was LVMH, the powerhouse French luxury conglomerate.
After all, LVMH boasts ownership of Dior, the brand behind Mrs. Trump’s Day One suit, as well as Louis Vuitton and Loro Piana. Furthermore, Tiffany, the company responsible for the brooch presented to Queen Camilla during the official gift exchange, also falls under the LVMH umbrella. Notably, LVMH itself is owned by Bernard Arnault, who was a distinguished guest at Mr. Trump’s most recent inauguration, accompanied by his daughter, Delphine, the CEO of Dior.
Bernard Arnault holds the title of the world’s seventh-richest man, signifying a form of royalty entirely distinct from monarchical lineage.