How Ivanka Trump transformed from socialite to First Daughter power dresser

Ivanka Trump’s fashion transformation in the last four years has not been a particularly dramatic one. In fact, her adaptation of the Park Avenue socialite-sheath style which she favoured before her father was elected, into the polished-looking political influencer she became in his administration, required few obvious sartorial swaps.

The pointed court shoes and smooth body-con dresses which were the key components of Ivanka’s power look in Manhattan were translated with ease to her new political environment. She - and in fact all women in the Trump family - have perhaps not once in four years been seen with creased clothes among them, such is their commitment to a glossy appearance.

But closer inspection of the outfits worn by the First Daughter and Special Advisor to the President over her time working at the White House shows that Ivanka did make some subtle adjustments to her image along the way.

Here we look back at seven statement outfits worn by Ivanka Trump during her father’s time in office.

January 2017: Inauguration Day

Trump had always modelled herself as a celebrity businesswoman and her background as a fashion entrepreneur meant that her outfits always offered more flair than those worn by the average political aide. She became a natural point of interest to fashion commentators, offering, like Melania, a type of rich power dressing that was indisputably glamorous, intriguing to analyse and interesting to write about.

At Trump’s Inauguration Day ceremony in 2017, Ivanka set the tone for what was ahead in an Oscar de la Renta trouser suit. The colour white became significant in her wardrobe throughout the term to come, as a symbol of faith, of women’s suffrage and empowerment, and of a person so immaculate that they don’t worry they might spill something.

Read more: What will Ivanka and the Trump family do next?

January 2017: The Inauguration Ball

For the evening gala following the inauguration of Donald Trump, Ivanka wore a crystal encrusted ball gown by another established American designer brand, Carolina Herrera. She projected an image of a fairytale first family in her princess-esque tulle.

April 2017: Trump’s first solo trip

What to wear, when you know you’ll be sat on stage next to the political forces Angela Merkel and Christine Lagarde? The W20 Conference in Berlin was Ivanka’s first solo engagement after being appointed Special Advisor. Rather than opting for a sharp suit, though, Trump chose to set herself apart in a floral printed tea dress by American designer Michael Kors.

May 2017: Meeting the Pope

The Trumps visited Rome in May 2017, with Ivanka and Jared accompanying the President on tour. Meeting Pope Francis at the Vatican, both Ivanka and Melania followed tradition to the letter by wearing black long sleeved dresses with veils. As Pope Francis had been a critic of Donald Trump’s politics, to toe the line in this way was considered a diplomatic gesture.

April 2018: State dinner honour of French President Emmanuel Macron

With over a decade of experience getting dressed up for high-profile, intensely-photographed red carpet events such as the Met Gala, Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner particularly excelled at polishing up for White House state dinners and formal occasions. This £9,400 gown by New York-based label Rodarte brought glamour to the state dinner honouring French President Emmanuel and First Lady Brigitte Macron.

March 2019: The London visit

Ivanka Trump rarely wore non-American brands during her father’s time in office, aside from the occasional Dolce and Gabbana outfit, or purchase from high street brand Zara. But she first showed an understanding of the concept of ‘diplomatic dressing’ on her visit to the UK in 2019.

Ivanka followed the templates used by the British Royal family, wearing British brands for most of her time on British soil. After wearing a £1700 polka dot Burberry dress to visit Downing Street, she changed into a look by London-based Royal wedding-favourite Alessandra Rich for a visit to Westminster Abbey.

January 2021: Leaving the White House

Arriving in Maryland and joining her family to mark President Donald Trump's departure on 20th January 2021, Ivanka once again wore white. The double-breasted coat by New York-based designer Joseph Altuzarra was formal and polished, rounding off her White House wardrobe chapter in pretty much the same way as it began.