Melania Trump's bold and revealing looks she would not wear today© Gregory Pace

celebrity fashion

Melania Trump's bold and revealing looks she would not wear today: Pre-White House outfits

Melania now has more conservative fashion choices, often opting for classically elegant pieces


Senior Writer
MAY 14, 2025 5:19 PM EDT

Melania Trump’s journey from model to First Lady of the United States has been nothing short of remarkable. Kicking off her tenure as First Lady in 2017, Melania quickly became the most popular member of the Trump family, even surpassing her husband, Donald Trump, and his daughter Ivanka Trump by a few percentage points in a CNN poll. 

While her popularity in the early days of her husband’s presidency may not seem extraordinary, she continued to hold an impressively high approval rating throughout her time in office. Melania’s refined fashion sense has arguably been the shining element, with many even calling her a style star in the White House.

Melania Knauss wears Levi's Premium during Fashion Week © Jamie McCarthy
Before marrying Trump, Melania used to be a model, wearing all sorts of bold outfits

The First Lady's fashion evolution has fascinated the American public, including her more daring looks from the 1990s and 2000s. During her modeling career, Melania was known for her daring outfits that were less conservative than the sophisticated pieces she wears in the White House.

© Ron Galella
In the '90s, Melania began dating Donald Trump

In the 1990s and 2000s, she wore outfits that emphasized her confident and bold fashion sense, which included skirts with higher hemlines, figure-hugging silhouettes, and daring cuts, that she would likely shy away from today.

© Ron Galella
She was often photographed at various events in New York City, wearing bold and stunning outfits

As First Lady, Melania has more conservative fashion choices, often opting for classically elegant pieces. From risqué dresses to high-slit skirts and plunging necklines, her earlier fashion moments were different from the polished and presidential image she currently has.

© Jamie McCarthy
Trump and Melania were frequent guests at the Met Gala

Despite stepping back from the public spotlight, Melania’s fashion legacy remains intact. Her role as First Lady may have changed her style choices, but the public still remembers her bold days as a model. 

© James Devaney
Melania was known for her bold outfits before becoming First Lady

Melania's pre-White House looks are still a talking point of many, including her appearances at New York Fashion Week, movie premieres, magazine covers, galas, and exclusive socialite events even before her romantic relationship with her now-husband, Donald Trump, started.

© KMazur
Donald Trump and Melania during The 73rd Annual Academy Awards

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