The 2021 presidential inauguration was also the fashion show heard around the world.
Powerful figures like Michelle Obama, Kamala Harris, Jill Biden, and poet Amanda Gorman showed up in bold colors and stand-out silhouettes.
So it’s no surprise that women everywhere are feeling inspired to emulate their inauguration outfits.
Read on to find out how to recreate the Biden inauguration styles for a business casual setting.
MICHELLE OBAMA’S MONOCHROME LOOK
Photo Credit: @michelleobama
Talk about power dressing! Michelle Obama’s monochrome burgundy look definitely turned heads.
With high-waisted, wide-legged pants, a turtleneck sweater and a long coat all in the same shade of burgundy, she created a flattering silhouette that left a big impression.
You don’t need a lot of accessories with a bold monochrome outfit like this; her simple gold belt buckle was the perfect touch.
To replicate this look on your own, try pairing a luxurious wool coat in a bold color with a turtleneck sweater in a similar shade.
You don’t have to do one color head-to-toe to make an impact. You could also pair a matching coat and sweater with pants in a core color like black or gray.
Want to learn how to put together bold looks like Michelle Obama’s? Check out my women’s image consulting services.
INCORPORATE COLOR LIKE AMANDA GORMAN
Photo Credit: @michelleobama
Inaugural poet Amanda Gorman chose a bold bright yellow coat for her moment in the spotlight.
If you’ve built a closet that’s full of core colors, then it’s time to start playing with color. Having a solid foundation of core colors means you have endless possibilities for bold color pairings like Amanda’s.
I love how she used her coat as her pop of color, anchoring it with a crisp white oxford shirt.
Don’t forget that you can also use your accessories to go even more bold. Amanda chose a statement-making headband in red, which created a strong contrast with her yellow coat.
For a look like this that incorporates two contrasting colors, stick to solids and utilize core colors for the rest of your outfit.
GO ALL-BLACK LIKE KAMALA HARRIS
Photo Credit: @harpersbazaarus
For the evening inauguration festivities, Kamala Harris chose a sleek all-black look by designer Sergio Hudson.
A satin-trimmed tuxedo jacket like Kamala’s is a timeless closet staple that can be worn many different ways.
Pair it with black pants and a simple black top underneath for a look that’s perfect for any business casual office.
You could also dress it down with dark denim jeans, a pair of animal print heels, and simple jewelry for a look that could transition from work to happy hour.
PLAY WITH TEXTURE A LA JILL BIDEN
Photo Credit: @harpersbazaarus
There are a lot of different names you could use for the color of Jill Biden’s outfit — robin’s egg blue, cerulean, teal — but whatever you call it, it was a great use of texture.
From her jacket’s tweed fabrication to the velvet cuffs and lapels and satin gloves, she masterfully mixed a variety of textures. Textures are important because they make an outfit more interesting and take your look up a few notches instantly.
This is a great example of how women who work in a more conservative business casual office can still wear a bold look with plenty of visual interest.
When you’re putting together outfits, thinking about mixing different textures. For example, pair a tweed jacket with leather gloves, a cashmere sweater, and wool pants.
Even when your outfit is all core colors, layering textures like this will create a look that’s anything but boring.
Need more outfit inspiration? Check out my post ‘How to Dress like Shiv Roy from ‘Succession.’
