Presidential family members lead pretty surreal lives. Once one of their own becomes president, the rest of their immediate family (and even some of their extended family) become celebrities in their own right. Unfortunately, this usually makes their fashion choices very boring. Men stick with dark suits, women stick with bland dresses, and the world just keeps spinning.
Every now and then, though, a member of the president’s family goes rogue and wears something hilariously inappropriate. Sometimes, they do it to make a statement; other times, they just didn’t get the memo about what other people are wearing. Whatever the cause, one thing is the same: the resulting drama is downright fascinating to watch!
Don’t believe us? Or maybe you just want some cringe injected right into your veins? Either way, keep reading to discover the craziest outfits ever worn by presidential family members!
Ivanka Trump rocked some bathrobe couture
Normally, Ivanka is one of the better-dressed members of Donald Trump’s family. This isn’t really surprising, though: she’s a former supermodel and a veteran of the New York fashion scene. However, she really dropped the ball in 2019 when she visited a childcare center in Guadalupe. There, she wore an outfit that can only be described as the world’s most expensive bathrobe!
It’s a white, oversized outfit that she has cinched around her waist…you know, like the ratty bathrobe you keep in the bedroom for those really cold nights. This seemed strange to everyone who saw it because Ivanka was making a very formal visit, and she is normally a very fashionable woman. However, for reasons that have never been made very clear, she decided to dress like your grandmother heading to the bathroom in the middle of the night!
RELATED: The Most Awkward Ivanka Trump Moments Ever Caught On Camera
Hillary Clinton was green with envy
Unlike Ivanka Trump, Hillary Clinton isn’t someone most people think of as overly fashionable. Back in the day, though, she was a style queen who made the pantsuit into an icon for women embracing girlpower. Therefore, while she doesn’t always dress as flamboyantly as the Trump women, Hillary usually wears something both cute and safe to various global events. On one occasion, though, she stood out in the worst possible way!
When Hillary rocked up to the 2012 G20 Summit in Los Cabos, Mexico, she wore a lime green top. At a glance, this outfit may not seem too flamboyant, and you may find yourself asking why this made the list of craziest outfits worn by presidential family members. The problem here was simple: the various other major figures attending this event decided to all wear white, making Hillary stick out in the gaudiest possible way. Fortunately, she handled the embarrassment like a professional, and several photos caught her earnestly laughing at her own fashion faux pas.
Melania Trump turned herself into a viral meme
By now, one of the things you have probably noticed is that the controversial fashion moments on this list aren’t always the fault of the president’s family. Sure, Ivanka Trump’s bathrobe vibes outfit was weird, but she probably thought she was being fashion-forward. And while Hillary stood out for wearing a loud top to a muted gathering, it was clear that she only did this because she hadn’t gotten the memo about what everyone else was wearing.
However, Melania Trump willingly turned herself into a viral meme in 2018, and everyone is still trying to unpack why she did it. At the time, Donald Trump was being constantly criticized for his immigration policy, and Melania made a visit to a border detention center. She wore a green Zara jacket to which she had inexplicably added white lettering that said, “I really don’t care, do u?”
Melania later claimed that this message was aimed at the people always attacking her. But most considered her words a comment on the border situation and the plight of illegal immigrants, making the FLOTUS seem harsh and insensitive.
RELATED: How Melania Trump Caused a Nightmare For the Secret Service
Michelle Obama’s right to bare arms
Needless to say, Michelle Obama never had any fashion faux pas as bad as Melania Trump’s. She never added any controversial phrasing to gaudy clothing, for example. In fact, Michelle usually wore elegant outfits that captivated fans across the world. At one point, though, she captivated fans by showing a little too much skin for some people’s taste!
For her official White House photo, Michelle Obama wore a sleeveless dress that showed off her well-toned arms. Even though her arms looked great, this move generated controversy because her critics claimed she wasn’t taking this photo (a presidential tradition) seriously enough. Instead of letting the haters get to her, though, Michelle just started wearing more and more sleeveless outfits. This worked spectacularly, and to this day, the sight of Michelle Obama’s awesome arms remains as inspirational (if only we hit the gym as much as she does) as it is iconic!