INAUGURAL BALL GOWNS THROUGH THE YEARS
![WASHINGTON - JANUARY 20: First Lady Michelle Obama attends the Western Inaugural Ball on January 20, 2009 in Washington, DC. Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States today, becoming the first African-American to be elected President. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) -- 15Michelle]()
First Lady Michelle Obama wore a gown by New York-based designer Jason Wu for the Inaugural Ball on Jan. 20, 2009 in Washington, D.C.
Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images
![President Bush and first lady Laura Bush dance at the Freedom Ball during inauguration festivies]()
Laura Bush wore an icy blue Oscar de la Renta gown to the second inauguration of her husband, George W. Bush, in 2005.
Paul Sancya/ASSOCIATED PRESS
![Laura Bush in Michael Faircloth]()
Laura Bush wore a scarlet gown by Texan designer Michael Faircloth to the 2001 Inaugural Ball.
The Boston Globe
![President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Rodham Clinton share a laugh at the Youth Ball at the Post Office Pavilion on Wednesday, January 20, 1993. (AP Photo/Bill Waugh) 08liaisons Library Tag 01082006 Arts & Entertainment]()
Hillary Rodham Clinton wore a beaded gown made by Sarah Phillips to the first inauguration of her husband, Bill Clinton, in 1993.
AP Photo/Bill Waugh
![President Bush and his wife, Barbara]()
Barbara Bush wore a sapphire blue gown by First Lady-favored designer Arnold Scaasi to the 1989 Inaugural Ball for her husband George H. W. Bush.
Paul Hosefros/The New York Times
![INAUGURAL BALL INAUGURATION 1981 PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN AND NANCY REAGAN]()
Nancy Reagan wore a beaded gown by American designer James Galanos to the 1981 Inauguration of her husband, Ronald Regan.
The New York Times
![This Jan. 1965 photo provided by the LBJ Library shows Lady Bird Johnson at the White House]()
Lady Bird Johnson wore a canary yellow gown designed by John Moore to the 1965 inauguration of her husband, Lyndon B. Johnson.
ASSOCIATED PRESS/LBJ Library
![President and Mrs. John Kennedy leave the White House January 20, 1961]()
Jacqueline Kennedy wore a custom gown and cape that she designed in collaboration with Bergdorf Goodman’s Ethel Frankau for the tour of inaugural balls for her husband, John F. Kennedy in 1961.
AP
![President Dwight Eisenhower holds the arm of his wife, first lady Mamie]()
Mamie Eisenhower wore a pink gown by Nettie Rosenstein commissioned by Neiman Marcus for the 1953 inaugural ball for her husband, Dwight Eisenhower.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
![Helen Taft's 1909 inaugural ball gown]()
Helen Taft's intricately embroidered 1909 inaugural ball gown by the Frances Smith Company was put on display at the “First Ladies at the Smithsonian” exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington in 2008.
Jacquelyn Martin/ASSOCIATED PRESS
![MARY TODD LINCOLN in her 1861 inaugural ball gown]()
Mary Todd Lincoln in her 1861 inaugural ball gown.
Matthew Brady
