PHOTOS: First Ladies' Inaugural Ball Gowns Through the Years
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When first lady Michelle Obama, wearing a custom gown by Jason Wu, dazzled the room at the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball in 2009, President Barack Obama asked, "How good-looking is my wife?" More than 50 years prior, Jackie Kennedy looked stunning in an ivory silk satin evening gown by Oleg Cassini, which she wore to the Inaugural Gala at the National Guard Armory on Jan. 19, 1961, the evening before the inauguration. From Eleanor Roosevelt's gown in 1933 to Michelle Obama's striking red dress in 2013, see how first ladies' inaugural fashion has changed over the years.
19 photos
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AP Photo
Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt and guests of honor at an inaugural ball held in Washington, D.C., on Mar. 5, 1933. Left to right: Mrs. Cary T. Grayson, Ray Baker, James Roosevelt, Mrs. Roosevelt, Rear Admiral Cary T. Grayson, retired, and Brigadier General William T. Horton, retired.
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AP Photo
President Dwight Eisenhower and first lady Mamie Eisenhower sit in a box in the balcony at the National Guard Armory during one of inaugural balls held in his honor on Jan. 20, 1953.
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AP Photo
Jacqueline Kennedy lifts the skirt of her inaugural ball gown as she and her husband, President-elect John F. Kennedy, leave their Georgetown home in the snowfall en route to the inaugural concert in Washington, D.C., Jan. 19, 1961.
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AP Photo
President John F. Kennedy and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy in a relaxed moment as they attend one of five inaugural balls, Jan. 20, 1961. At left is Vice President Lyndon Johnson.
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AP Photo
Lady Bird Johnson, center, her daughters Luci Baines, left, and Lynda Bird, right, pose in New York City on Jan. 12, 1961. They are modeling the gowns they would wear at the inaugural ball on Jan. 20.
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AP Photo
This Jan. 18, 1965, photo shows Lyndon B. Johnson and his wife, Lady Bird, wearing a white peau de soie gown for the year's inaugural gala.
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AP Photo
President Nixon, right, and his family prepare to leave the White House to attend six inaugural balls in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 1969. From left: David Eisenhower; Julie Nixon Eisenhower; Doug Rogers, son of the new secretary of state and Tricia Nixon's escort; Tricia Nixon; Pat Nixon and the president.
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AP Photo
President Jimmy Carter and first lady Rosalynn Carter are pictured with their daughter, Amy, at the first of seven inaugural balls in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Jan. 20, 1977.
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AP Photo
President Ronald Reagan and his wife, Nancy, dance at an inaugural ball at the Pension Building in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 1981. The president and first lady were scheduled to appear at nine balls during the evening.
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AP Photo/Ira Schwarz
In this Jan. 21, 1985 photo, President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan arrive at the inaugural ball in the Washington Hilton in Washington.
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AP Photo/Marcy Nighwander
President-elect George H. W. Bush, left, strains to see the crowd as his wife, Barbara, waves to well-wishers during their second inaugural ball of the evening at the Pension Building, Jan. 18, 1989, Washington, D.C.
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AP Photo/Greg Gibson
Hillary and President-elect Bill Clinton are seen at one of the four official inaugural dinners in Washington, Jan. 19, 1993.
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AP Photo/Greg Gibson
President Bill and first lady Hillary Clinton, along with daughter Chelsea, at the New England Ball during inauguration night festivities in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 1993.
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AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite
President Bill Clinton and first lady Hillary Clinton, dance at the New England Ball Monday, Jan. 20, 1997, in Washington D.C.
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AP Photo/Doug Mills
President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush smile as they are welcomed by supporters at the Salute to Heroes and Veterans Banquet in Washington, D.C., Saturday, Jan. 20, 2001.
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AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
President George W. Bush, right, first lady Laura Bush and their twin daughters Barbara (far left) and Jenna (to her right) are introduced at the Texas State Society's Black Tie and Boots Ball the week's first inaugural gala Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2005, in Washington, D.C.
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President Barack Obama, left, and first lady Michelle Obama, right, are introduced at the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.
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In this Jan. 21, 2013, photo, President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama wave to guests after their dance at the Inaugural Ball at the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C.
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SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump during the Salute to Our Armed Services Inaugural Ball at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC, January 20, 2017.
