The Fashions of the First Ladies: The Historical Expectations for Women to Dress to Impress

When First Ladies and Fashion are put together in the same sentence, I'm sure a few names will come to everyone's mind. 

Some of those may include household figures like Jackie Kennedy, Michelle Obama, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jill Biden, Melania Trump…the list could go on. 

There are many articles out there analyzing the style and intricate details of the costumes the First Ladies pick and choose. This is not one of them. 

While all the above women have undoubtedly made waves in the fashion pool with their style choices, the focus instead should be turned to what fashion really means for these women. 

First Ladies hold no power in office. It is not an elected position; it is just a position the wives of the men who get elected for President must assume. First Ladyship exists solely for ceremonial duties that reflect those of a good housewife. 

James Buchanan, who served as President from 1857 to 1861, remains the only President to be single in United States history. A running candidate must hold the image of the perfect life–which includes the perfect wife. 

From the way First Ladies dress to how they keep the White House, society watches them with a careful–dare I say misogynistic–eye. It also should be noted that the way their husbands act harshly reflects the attitude and image that is held about the First Ladies. 

Jackie Kennedy is and will forever be seen as a fashion icon. During her time as First Lady, she had impeccable style and elegance. Her husband, John Kennedy, was also seen very favorably during his campaigning and time as President. Everyone raved at her "class," and she even inspired fashion trends of the decade. 

Image Courtesy: Getty Images

Melania Trump also delivered an incredible sense of style and class during her time as First Lady. Her modern yet sleek and professional clothing certainly stands out from the rest. However, her choices were not praised and swooned over as many other first ladies had been in the past. Her husband, Donald Trump, was not seen favorably while he served as President. His actions and controversy directly affected her and the way she was viewed by society. News and style outlets shied away from gossiping about or praising her fashion choices; her name simply held a negative connotation. 

And while fashion choice shouldn't be something we spend so much time analyzing, it is all society seems to care about. The expectations for First Ladies to dress to impress have remained consistent over time. It is expected for the First Lady to look modest, poised, and perfect to the American eye. 

Some First Ladies have stepped outside of the box of the typical "housewife" duties the role comes with. Michelle Obama, for example, is remembered as a voice of leadership during the Obama administration school lunch reforms. Michelle Obama spoke out and voiced her criticisms of the food being served at public schools. She also expressed her concern about childhood obesity and put her Let's Move! initiative into motion, leading to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 being signed into law by Barack Obama.

Image Courtesy: Lets Move!/ Obama Administration

Eleanor Roosevelt, while known for her maximalist style and timeless decoration of the White House, is also often credited with reshaping the role of the first lady and opening the door for first ladies to take a more prominent role in society. She is frequently quoted for her activism efforts for civil rights and feminism. She is also known to have publicly disagreed with some of her husband's policies, held press conferences, and wrote newsletters. 

Needless to say, the First Lady's role has evolved over time, but their expectations to be a wife and a symbol for the presidency have not. We continue to watch First Ladies with a careful, meticulous eye and badger them when they do not fit into the box of a quiet housewife. 

It may be time we redefine what the First Lady can do for our country. Let's start holding them accountable for more than just their fashion choices. 

Strike Out, 

Haley Dockendorff 

Boca Raton 

Haley Dockendorff is a Content Writer for Strike Magazine Boca. Loud and proud, this Virgo loves writing just about anything that will cause a bit of commotion. If you can’t find her, she’s probably somewhere on a beach with a camera in hand. You can reach her at haleydockendorff143@gmail.com