Most expensive first lady outfits: From Michelle Obama's Atelier Versace to Jill Biden's Oscar de la Renta gown
Top 10 most expensive designer outfits worn by US first ladies
Michelle Obama sparkled in a $12,000 gown at her final state dinner alongside Barack Obama, while Jill matched Joe Biden in a powder blue suit when they met Queen Elizabeth in 2021. First ladies have been known to set fashion trends by making particular looks popular and inciting an immediate sell-out of their clothing. Being the first lady of the United States has many benefits, but the top of the list is undoubtedly having an opulent designer wardrobe. Here are 10 of the priciest outfits that first ladies have ever donned.
1. Michelle Obama's $12,000 custom Atelier Versace gown
Michelle Obama wore a unique rose-gold chainmail gown designed by Atelier Versace, estimated to have cost $12,000, to her final state supper as first lady in 2016. She selected the designer from Italy in celebration of the visit by Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. It was also speculated that she was honoring female empowerment by donning the chain-mail garment, per South China Morning Post.
2. Michelle Obama's $12,000 Carolina Herrera gown
In 2014, Michelle Obama wore a custom-made Carolina Herrera gown, reported to have cost $12,000, to a state banquet with former French President Francois Hollande. The dress had a full "liberty blue" skirt and a black beaded bodice with three-quarter sleeves, per Daily Mail.
3. Michelle Obama's $2,095 yellow Narciso Rodriguez dress
The yellow Narciso Rodriguez gown that Michelle Obama wore to the 2016 State of the Union was retailed for $2,095. The dress immediately sold out at Neiman Marcus after being reduced to $628 for Black Friday.
4. Michelle Obama's $995 blue Christian Siriano dress
Wearing a blue Christian Siriano dress that cost $995, Michelle delivered her famous address, "When they go low, we go high," during the 2016 Democratic National Convention. Although the Project Runway alum had a custom version of the dress produced for Michelle, it was also available on Siriano's website.
5. Jill Biden's $16,000 Oscar de la Renta gown
Jill Biden donned a couture Oscar de la Renta gown, which retails for $16,000, at the 2023 Grammy Awards. Oscar de la Renta's handmade gown sparkled as Biden presented the Grammy for a new category, Best Song for Social Change. According to The New York Times, Biden wore a navy version of the same dress at a state banquet in December with French President Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron.
6. Jill Biden's $1,390 polka-dot Brandon Maxwell dress
Jill Biden wore a $1,390 polka-dot Brandon Maxwell outfit at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. She had worn the silk sheath dress to the G7 meeting before.
7. Jill Biden's $1,000 Adam Lippes powder-blue suit
Dr Jill Biden met with Queen Elizabeth in 2021 dressed in a $1,000 powder blue suit created by Adam Lippes. Her blue attire matched the tie worn by her husband Joe Biden.
8. Melania Trump's $7,995 Monique Lhuillier gown
Melania Trump, the former first lady, attended a 2017 White House function wearing a $7,995 Monique Lhuillier gown. The glittering gown that the first lady wore to greet The White House Historical Society is no longer available from Bergdorf Goodman.
9. Melania Trump's $3,701 yellow Gucci coat
In 2018, Melania Trump attended a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin donning a $3,700 yellow Gucci coat. She went to a conference in Helsinki wearing the light yellow coat with the butterfly detail belt, which was on sale at Farfetch.
10. Melania Trump's $9,590 Michael Kors jacket-and-skirt outfit
During a joint session of Congress in 2017, Melania Trump donned an embroidered skirt and jacket set from Michael Kors which cost $9,590. The dinner jacket and skirt were sold for $4,995 and $4,595, respectively. The clothing is no longer in stock.
