First Lady Flashback: A Look at Inaugural Gowns Past and Present

Inauguration dresses, from Michelle Obama to Jackie Kennedy.

Looking Good, Mrs. Obama - First lady Michelle Obama dazzled in a red Jason Wu dress at the 2013 inaugural ball. But what did other first ladies wear to their big nights? A look at inauguration dresses from first ladies past. -- Erin E. Evans(Photo:  Michael Kovac/WireImage)

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Looking Good, Mrs. Obama - First lady Michelle Obama dazzled in a red Jason Wu dress at the 2013 inaugural ball. But what did other first ladies wear to their big nights? A look at inauguration dresses from first ladies past. -- Erin E. Evans(Photo:  Michael Kovac/WireImage)

It's a Party! - At the 2009 inaugural ball, First Lady Michelle Obama dazzled in a white chiffon gown by then 26-year-old Jason Wu. (Photo: Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

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It's a Party! - At the 2009 inaugural ball, First Lady Michelle Obama dazzled in a white chiffon gown by then 26-year-old Jason Wu. (Photo: Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

Lovely Laura - At President George W. Bush’s second inaugural, Laura Bush shined in a shimmery tulle V-neck dress by one of her go-to designers, Oscar de la Renta. (Photo: Travis Lindquist/Getty Images)

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Lovely Laura - At President George W. Bush’s second inaugural, Laura Bush shined in a shimmery tulle V-neck dress by one of her go-to designers, Oscar de la Renta. (Photo: Travis Lindquist/Getty Images)

Ravishing in Red - At her husband’s first inaugural, Mrs. Bush wore a ruby red, Chantilly lace gown by Texas designer Michael Faircloth. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Newsmakers)

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Ravishing in Red - At her husband’s first inaugural, Mrs. Bush wore a ruby red, Chantilly lace gown by Texas designer Michael Faircloth. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Newsmakers)

Oscar-Worthy - Oscar de la Renta has been popular among first ladies. He designed Mrs. Clinton’s lace gown for the 1997 inaugural ball. (Photo: STR New / Reuters)

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Oscar-Worthy - Oscar de la Renta has been popular among first ladies. He designed Mrs. Clinton’s lace gown for the 1997 inaugural ball. (Photo: STR New / Reuters)

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Hometown Love - Using a hometown designer has been a trend. In President Bill Clinton’s first inaugural, Mrs. Clinton chose Little Rock’s Sarah Phillips, who made a purple lace gown. (Photo: Courtesy of the Library of Congress)

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Hometown Love - Using a hometown designer has been a trend. In President Bill Clinton’s first inaugural, Mrs. Clinton chose Little Rock’s Sarah Phillips, who made a purple lace gown. (Photo: Courtesy of the Library of Congress)

Bush in Blue - In 1989, Barbara Bush chose Arnold Scaasi to design her blue inaugural gown. (Photo: Scott Applewhite / AP)

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Bush in Blue - In 1989, Barbara Bush chose Arnold Scaasi to design her blue inaugural gown. (Photo: Scott Applewhite / AP)

High-Priced Style - First Lady Nancy Reagan sparked controversy for her expensive inauguration wardrobe. In 1985, she wore a white chiffon beaded gown by James Galanos. (Photo: Dennis Brack /Landov)

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High-Priced Style - First Lady Nancy Reagan sparked controversy for her expensive inauguration wardrobe. In 1985, she wore a white chiffon beaded gown by James Galanos. (Photo: Dennis Brack /Landov)

Lace-y Look - In 1981, Mrs. Reagan wore an embroidered lace gown by James Galanos. (Photo: Dennis Brack /Landov)

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Lace-y Look - In 1981, Mrs. Reagan wore an embroidered lace gown by James Galanos. (Photo: Dennis Brack /Landov)

Frugal Frock - In 1977, as America faced an economic downturn, Rosalynn Carter opted to wear the same thing twice. She had previously worn the Mary Matise for Jimmae gown at her husband's, President Jimmy Carter, gubernatorial inauguration. (Photo: Courtesy of the Library of Congress)

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Frugal Frock - In 1977, as America faced an economic downturn, Rosalynn Carter opted to wear the same thing twice. She had previously worn the Mary Matise for Jimmae gown at her husband's, President Jimmy Carter, gubernatorial inauguration. (Photo: Courtesy of the Library of Congress)

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis - This first lady exhibited grace, elegance and, of course, an iconic style way beyond her years in the White House. With her ornate coats that #ScandalBET's Olivia Pope only wishes she owned, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis seemed to always be draped in a sheet of exquisiteness. (Photo: Courtesy Kennedy Library Archives/Newsmakers)

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Her Own Vision - Jackie Kennedy had a hand in designing her own gown. She assisted Bergdorf Goodman’s Ethan Frankau to make her fashion vision come to life. (Photo: Courtesy of Kennedy Library Archives/Newsmakers)

Photo By Photo: Courtesy of Kennedy Library Archives/Newsmakers