Last Updated on December 4, 2025 by Eve Dawes
Call it what you want, I’m predicting this will be the fashion aesthetic of the season
First Lady outfits and styling were all over the runways and is the aesthetic I’m calling will be the fashion trend of season. Call it what you want: ladylike dressing, ladies who lunch, the modern socialite, dressing to impress, but it’s really all about the First Lady’s style. I think, arguably, the last time we had a First Lady that was a style icon before Melania Trump was Jacky Kennedy whose style influences can still be seen today. From oversized glasses to headscarves and love or hate her, this is not about politics, but impeccable dressing and elegance. It started to influence our style the last time she was first lady and is already back in force, as seen at so many of the spring/summer fashion shows. My friends and I are already fully embracing this style movement. Here’s what you need to know, styling tips and First Lady outfit ideas.
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What is a First Lady outfit
When it comes to First Lady fashion, the outfits are all about dressing in a way that’s both simple and glamorous with beautiful fabrics, immaculate tailoring and elegant styling. It’s an aesthetic that works for both the day and night, office and leisure, not just for ladies who lunch.
Throughout the spring/summer runways there was a chic common theme, with sophisticated styles that were reminiscent of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s and 1990’s socialites. Look to the Prada, Yohji Yamamoto, Max Mara, Tove, Hermès, Toteme and Calvin Klein Spring Summer runway shows for lots of First Lady outfit ideas.
Don’t feel too pegged in by this trend though, make it your own. Whether that’s a retro Kennedy inspired touch, tweed suit, or modern styling like a high waisted black pencil skirt styled with a barely buttoned up white shirt with a black bikini underneath as seen at Max Mara.
How to embrace the First Lady aesthetic | Dress to impress
The main things to remember when putting together a First Lady outfit are simplicity and elegance, fit and fabric, and dress to impress.
Some ways to embrace the aesthetics are with a:
- Black and white color palette.
- Classic button down shirt with tailored pants or jeans.
- Impractical and luxurious white coats.
- Pillbox or boater hats.
- Silk scarves.
- Head scarves.
- High neck dresses.
- Satin mini dresses.
- Tweed and bouclé skirt suits.
- Pearls (jewelry and embellishments).
- Gloves.
- Double breasted coat and skirt sets.
- Wide, waist-accentuating belts.
- Big blow outs or sleek up dos.
First Lady outfit styling tips
Whether you go for full on head to toe First Lady styling or a more modern First Lady outfit, it’s a trend you can really have fun with. Maybe it’s a simple white shirt and billowing black pants with pearls made sexier by unbuttoning the shirt more and showing a bodysuit or bandeau top underneath. Or maybe you’re going full retro with the big hair and white cat eye sunglasses. If you feel feminine and polished, you’re probably doing it right and fashion is all about making something your own.
Shop the best First Lady outfits
When shopping for First Lady fashion and ladies who lunch outfits think fabric and fit. It doesn’t have to be designer but it’s worth paying more to get better quality as it’s hard to get quality on the cheap.
A few brands that do the ladylike aesthetic really well are Self Portrait, Nadine Merabi, Karen Millen and L’agence.
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The best accessories to complete your First Lady outfit.
