48 photos that show how first ladies' fashion has evolved over the years

At the turn of the century, ornate, empire-waist gowns were popular for women, according to Fashion Era.

While many people at that time took fashion cues from the French and opted for satin dresses, Adams reportedly rejected the styles, as  she considered them scandalous.

Jefferson Randolph served as acting first lady since her mother Martha Jefferson passed away in 1782. In the above portrait, she seemed to be wearing a patterned gown adorned with lace and bows, a typical Victorian look.

Known for her ornate style, people commented that Madison dressed like a queen.

European trends heavily influence Monroe's fashion sense, as she lived abroad in Paris, France, and London, UK, for four years before her husband became president.

Although it was considered taboo to wear makeup at the time, Adams made and wore her own bootleg makeup products like face powder and lipstick, solidifying her status as a fashion icon, The Cut reported.

As Jackson's wife Rachel Jackson passed away about three months before his inauguration, Donelson served as a de facto first lady until her death in 1836, according to theNational First Ladies' Library. She shared the post with Jackson's daughter in law, Sarah Yorke Jackson from 1834 to 1836. As acting first lady, Donelson often wore off-the-shoulder gowns in dark colors. 

Jackson, who served as acting first lady alongside Donelson for two years according to the National First Ladies' Library, also preferred dresses with low necklines and simple updos. 

Angelica Singleton Van Buren, Martin Van Buren's daughter-in-law, assumed the role of first lady because Van Buren's wife Hannah passed away 17 years prior. She earned her reputation as the Jackie O of the 1800s by staying on top of the trends like tight ringlets, feathers as hair accessories, and full-bodied, off-the-shoulder gowns.

Harrison, who never lived in the White House due to her own illness and then her husband's untimely death, is often depicted wearing statement-making hats and dark dresses, according to the National First Ladies' Library.

In the above portrait, Tyler, who was in poor health during her time as first lady according to theNational First Ladies' Library, showed off her subdued sense of style.

Gowns with a V-neck bodice, slightly off-the-shoulder sleeves, and wide skirts were especially popular formal wear during this decade.

Known for her love of elegant costume-wear, Polk favored decorative Parisian headpieces and clothing made of materials like silk, velvet, and satin, the White House Historical Association reported. Like Dolley Madison, Polk is remembered for dressing like a queen while acting like a politician, according to the WHHA.

Taylor was often pictured with her hair parted down the middle and styled in two high buns.

Fillmore's dresses were crafted on the then-new invention of the sewing machine, according to the National First Ladies' Library. The same source says that the first lady was so preoccupied with her hair that she hired a maid to style it for her. 

Jane Pierce spent the first two years of her husband's term in deep mourning, dressed in undecorated black clothing to pay respect to their 11-year-old son, Benjamin, who was killed in a tragic train accident weeks before Franklin Pierce's inauguration.

Lane, who served as first lady because her uncle James Buchanan never married, donned popular styles like large, ruffled skirts, according to Time. But, as the National First Ladies' Library notes, she deviated from the norm in other respects, pioneering trends like lacy necklines, simple hairstyles, and floral accessories.

Lincoln favored bold, statement-making dresses that cost up to $2,000, according to Time. Lincoln often emulated Lane's style, even going so far as to replicate Lane's garland-adorned gown for her own inauguration in 1861, Time reported.

According to the National First Ladies' Library, Johnson reportedly limited her social obligations as first lady and seemed to stick to dark pieces with high collars, modest hats, and simple hairstyles.

Grant also favored short-sleeved dresses with low necklines, although her husband often urged her to wear more "modest" pieces, the National First Ladies' Library reported.

The former first lady largely stuck to embroidered dresses in soft colors, as was the popular style at the time.

Although her purple dress was a promising start, Garfield didn't have much time to establish a distinct style of her own as first lady. In May of 1881, Lucretia Garfield contracted malaria and had relocated to Elberon, New Jersey, to recover when her husband was shot in July of that year. She spent the remainder of her time as first lady tending to her husband.

McElroy assumed the role of first lady because Chester Arthur's wife Ellen Arthur passed away before he took office in 1881. As first lady, she often styled her hair in a simple updo, allowing her adorned dress to take center stage, as was common practice at the time, according to the University of Vermont.

Because of her modest fashion sense, The Philadelphia Times lauded Harrison as "a sensible exemplar for American women," according to the National Museum of American History.

Grover and Frances Cleveland became the first and only president and first lady to wed in the White House when they married in 1886. She was also the youngest first lady in history at 21 years old, making her an instant celebrity and fashion icon. 

Cleveland often wore dresses that showed her shoulders. Her style elicited the ire of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, which petitioned Frances to stop wearing dresses that they deemed too revealing. She never stopped or responded to their protests.

In addition to bold, intricate dresses, McKinley also loved to wear small, delicate hats, like the feathered piece pictured above, according to the National First Ladies' Library.

Roosevelt reportedly despised being a public figure and hated having her clothing written about so much that she tried to throw reporters off by repeatedly wearing the same outfits to public events, according to the National First Ladies' Library.

In addition to her iconic gown, Taft also seemed to love accessories — most notably, large, statement-making hats.

Wilson claimed to spend less than $1,000 a year on clothing, according to the National First Ladies' Library.

Wilson preferred sleek black dresses with simple silhouettes, according to the National Museum of American History.

Harding's style existed where traditional hinged on modern. She wore seamlessly blended contemporary details like beaded dresses and fur pieces with retro high-waisted skirts and frilly tops.

Coolidge also loved to wear bright colors, like red, according to Time.

When it came to style, Hoover kept things simple, favoring American-made dresses, putting an emphasis on cotton clothing and jewelry in 1932, according to the National Museum of American History.

Roosevelt often opted for practical tea-length skirts and suit-like pieces (like the outfit pictured above), large hats, and, if the occasion called for it, elegant gowns. 

Like the first ladies of the 1800s, Truman was reluctant to accept her role as a public figure and didn't like talking to the press about her fashion choices, as she considered that a private affair.

In addition to being a style pioneer in the 1950s and 1960s, Eisenhower was also an early adopter of trends that are still popular, like micro-bangs and millennial pink.

By finding a way to put her own spin on everything from dresses to jeans and a T-shirt, Kennedy left a lasting legacy and an indelible mark on American fashion.

For formal events, Johnson often opted for stain gowns, which she paired with fur stoles, gloves, and delicate jewelry. But for day-to-day events, she preferred simple, colorful suit-like ensembles.

In addition to her then-radical outfit choices, Nixon also wore more traditional pieces like long skirts and suit jackets, according to the National First Ladies' Library.

Before becoming first lady, Ford worked in fashion as a department store model.

While she was first lady, Carter didn't care much for contemporary fashion, The Washington Post reported.

A former actress, Reagan took style very seriously, according to the National First Ladies' Library. The former first lady favored suits with piping, shirtwaist dresses, and just about anything in a bright, distinct hue dubbed "Reagan Red."

The former first lady's sartorial signatures were red lipstick, suit jackets, large pearls, and "Bush Blue."

While Clinton later became known for her trademark pantsuits when she ran for president in 2008 and 2016, she didn't start wearing them regularly until her last year as first lady, as they remained controversial, according to the National First Ladies' Library.

Painted by the artist Simmie Knox, the first Black portraitist to paint an official presidential portrait, Clinton wearing pants in a first lady portrait was a historic first.

In addition to her pantsuits, Clinton also wore many stylish dresses during her tenure as first lady.

Bush, who had an overall conservative fashion sense, also favored colorful evening gowns for formal occasions, according to the National First Ladies' Library.

Obama had a distinctly preppy sense of style, lending frequent comparisons to Jackie Kennedy, and became known for her sleeveless dresses.

"I wore a sleeveless aubergine dress to Barack's address to the joint session of Congress and a sleeveless black sheath dress for my official White House photo, and suddenly my arms were making headlines," Obama wrote in her 2018 memoir "Becoming."

Trump often wore pantsuits, sleek dresses, and New York street style-inspired outfits and rarely wore any piece of clothing more than once.

Her expensive taste occasionally caused controversy, such as when she wore a $51,500 Dolce & Gabbana jacket to meet with spouses of world leaders at the G-7 summit in Italy.

Biden often pairs blazers and sheath dresses with slingback pumps and pearl necklaces. She has also been spotted wearing a dog tag necklace engraved with the name of her son Beau, who died of cancer in 2015, at events for military families.