10 most expensive first lady outfits: From Michelle Obama's Atelier Versace to Jill Biden's Oscar de la Renta gown

By Nabanita Pain
Published on : 03:29 PST, May 2, 2024

Jill Biden, Melania Trump, and Michelle Obama (Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for The Recording Academy, Alex Wong/Getty Images, Leigh Vogel/WireImage)

Top 10 most expensive designer outfits worn by US first ladies

(L-R): Michelle Obama, Jill Biden, and Melania Trump (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images, Leon Neal/Getty Images, Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 18: U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama wait for the arrival of Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and his wife Mrs. Agnese Landini, for a state dinner at the White House, October 18, 2016 in Washington, DC. President Obama is hosting the last state visit of his presidency. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) — Former US First Lady Michelle Obama dazzling in a $12,000 custom Atelier Versace gown alongside Barrack Obama (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

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

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 11: U.S. President Barack Obama (R) and first lady Michelle Obama welcomes French President Francois Hollande (C) during an official State Visit on the North Portico of the White House February 11, 2014 in Washington, DC. The two leaders held bilateral meetings, a joint press conference and will attend an official State Dinner. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) — Former First Lady Michelle Obama donned a $12,000 Carolina Herrera gown (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 12: (L-R) Gov. Dannel P. Malloy of Connecticut, first lady Michelle Obama, Naveed Shah of Springfield, VA., and wife of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, Dr. Jill Biden give applause as US President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union speech before members of Congress in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol January 12, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) — Michelle Obama wore $2,095 yellow Narciso Rodriguez dress to the 2016 State of the Union (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 25: First lady Michelle Obama acknowledges the crowd after delivering remarks on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Philadelphia, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The four-day Democratic National Convention kicked off July 25. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) — Michelle Obama wore a $995 blue Christian Siriano dress on the first day of the Democratic National Convention (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: First Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden speaks onstage during the 65th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy) — First Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden wore $16,000 Oscar de la Renta gown at the 65th GRAMMY Awards (Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

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

TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 23: U.S. First Lady, Jill Biden arrives prior to the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Dylan Martinez - Pool/Getty Images) — U.S. First Lady, Jill Biden arrives donned a $1,390 polka-dot Brandon Maxwell dress at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (Dylan Martinez - Pool/Getty Images)

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

WINDSOR, ENGLAND - JUNE 13: Queen Elizabeth II (C) with US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill B — Jill Biden met with Queen Elizabeth in 2021 dressed in a $1,000 powder blue suit created by Adam Lippes (Getty Images)

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

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 14: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as first lady Melania Trump listens during a reception at the State Dining Room of the White House September 14, 2017 in Washington, DC. President Trump and the first lady hosted a reception for the White House Historical Association. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) — Former First Lady Melania Trump wore a $7,995 Monique Lhuillier gown at the State Dining Room of the White House (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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

HELSINKI, FINLAND - JULY,16 (RUSSIA OUT) U.S.President Donald Trump's wife Melania Trump arrive to joint press conference in Helsinki, Finland, July,16,2018. Russian and U.S. Presidents have arrived to Helsinki for the summit. (Photo by Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images) — Melania Trump attended a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin donning a $3,700 yellow Gucci coat (Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images)

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

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 28: First lady Melania Trump arrives to a joint session of the U.S. Congress with U.S. President Donald Trump on February 28, 2017 in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. Trump's first address to Congress is expected to focus on national security, tax and regulatory reform, the economy, and healthcare. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) — Melania Trump wore a $9,590 Michael Kors jacket-and-skirt outfit to a joint session of the Congress with then President Donald Trump (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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.

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