Make America Fashionable Again? Melania Trump’s UK banquet dress proves divisive

Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were treated to all the pomp and pageantry during their unprecedented second state visit to the UK, and one fashion statement was not to everyone’s liking. 

It wasn't the wide-brimmed, eye-obscuring purple cloche which recalled that awkward missed kiss during her husband’s inauguration in January, due to Melania’s Eric Javits hat. 

The fashion choice / faux pas everyone has been chatting about is the dress the First Lady wore to the lavish banquet held by the Royal Family at Windsor Castle last night.  

After photos of the dinner made their way online, the canary yellow off-the-shoulder dress with a purple belt got tongues wagging.  

Initially, there was some confusion as to the colours at play. Indeed, 10 years since the infamous “Is it blue and black or white and gold?” dress, many pointed out an optical illusion created by Melania’s dress and belt combo, designed by Carolina Herrera.  

Vibrant from some angles; muted from others. Soft lilac belt for some; baby pink belt for others.  

When it comes down to it, it’s all saturation issues due to flash photography, so that was that. Still, critics on social media weren’t done with the frock by Herrera, who has a history of dressing US First Ladies - among them Jacqueline Onassis and Michelle Obama. 

Some pointed out that Melania did not know how to dress for a royal dinner, that the dress was too casual and inappropriate considering her exposed shoulders, while others described it as “ugly” and “bizarre”.

One X user weighed in, writing: "I do not care for Melania’s dress. A rare miss for her. Not flattering & the color yellow is too harsh." Even FLOTUS fans weren’t convinced with the outfit, with one posting: "I love Melania, but this dress is hideous on her and inappropriately casual for a state dinner." 

Here are some other reactions to the divisive dress:  

At least one found a positive:  

Every Herrera has a silver lining.