Melania Trump wore a sharply tailored navy pantsuit as she joined President Donald Trump in welcoming Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Madame Peng Liyuan, to the White House.
The 56-year-old First Lady appeared alongside her husband on the South Portico on Friday, where the two couples posed for photographs before moving inside to the Red Room for tea.
Her outfit consisted of a navy button-down blazer and matching trousers, cinched with a belt at the waist. She wore her honey-coloured hair in loose waves and completed the look with understated accessories.
Mr Trump and President Xi were both dressed in navy suits with red ties, while Madame Peng chose a purple gown for the meeting.
Melania Trump’s tailored White House wardrobe
The appearance followed a series of formal looks by Melania during the Chinese president’s visit. At Thursday evening’s state dinner, she chose separates rather than a traditional gown, wearing a Saint Laurent blouse with oversized bow detailing at the neck.
The blouse was paired with high-waisted embossed trousers and a silk cummerbund by Dolce & Gabbana. She completed the monochrome ensemble with black pointed-toe Christian Louboutin heels and diamond stud earrings.
Her decision to wear trousers at high-profile events has previously attracted attention. Personal stylist and image consultant Cynthia Kennedy described the choices as a sign that the First Lady was “independent” and “rebellious”.
“She’s not doing what people expect. She’s not wearing safe, dull, traditional First Lady fashion,” Kennedy said.
Earlier on Friday, Melania wore a black Alexander McQueen pencil skirt with a single-breasted button-down tweed jacket and dark Christian Louboutin stilettos for an arrival ceremony for President Xi.
Kennedy said the First Lady’s approach showed that she was “on a completely different playing field and follows her own rules”, adding that she was “not interested in dressing for any role”.
