The famously stylish and sociable hostess Dolley Madison was the first First Lady to host an official inauguration ball, in 1809. In her richly embroidered cream dress, with a substantial bustle, she set the tone for generations to come by pulling out all the stops when choosing her inaugural gown.

Melania Trump’s inaugural headwear may have made quite the statement, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that she’s ushering in a “make hats great again” fashion

Eric Javits also noted how women in the past wore wide-brimmed hats to set boundaries "so no one would try" to kiss them.