Melania Trump's inauguration hat draws comparisons to Carmen Sandiego

Where in the U.S.A. is Melania Trump?
By
Anna Iovine
 on 
melania trump's face shielded by black hat with white ribbon
Credit: ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP via Getty Images

Inauguration Day has begun, and so have the fashion critiques.

Melania Trump arrived at the ceremony on Monday wearing an outfit by American designer Adam Lippes, according to fashion website WWD — but what everyone is talking about is the incoming first lady's hat, the work of American designer Eric Javits.

The wide-rimmed hat, a dark navy with a white ribbon, partially shields Trump's face, and immediately evoked a sharp reaction. Some users on X admired the look:

Mashable Top Stories
Stay connected with the hottest stories of the day and the latest entertainment news.
Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter
By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!

Others, however, harkened it to fictional characters Zorro, a masked vigilante, and Carmen Sandiego, a criminal mastermind:

There were also comparisons to the Babadook, the titular horror character of Jennifer Kent's 2014 film (combined with the Quaker Oat man...)

Given that the hat obscured Trump's face, there was also speculation that the sartorial choice would fuel conspiracy theories about a "fake" Melania:

As today goes on, the conversation is sure to steer away from fashion and towards whatever executive orders Donald Trump will sign on day one of his second term as president.

Topics Melania Trump

anna iovine, a white woman with curly chin-length brown hair, smiles at the camera
Anna Iovine
Associate Editor, Features

Anna Iovine is the associate editor of features at Mashable. Previously, as the sex and relationships reporter, she covered topics ranging from dating apps to pelvic pain. Before Mashable, Anna was a social editor at VICE and freelanced for publications such as Slate and the Columbia Journalism Review. Follow her on Bluesky.


Recommended For You

Seth Meyers recaps the tech billionaire VIP-ness of Trump's inauguration
Seth Meyers with his arms outstretched and an exasperated expression on his face.



TikTok's CEO might attend Trump's inauguration, new report says
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew prepares to testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 23, 2023 in Washington, DC. The hearing was a rare opportunity for lawmakers to question the leader of the short-form social media video app about the company's relationship with its Chinese owner, ByteDance, and how they handle users' sensitive personal data. Some local, state and federal government agencies have been banning use of TikTok by employees, citing concerns about national security.

More in Life

U.S. company Firefly Aerospace just landed on the moon with its Blue Ghost spacecraft
Blue Ghost rendering


The Northern Lights will return on New Year's Eve. Here's how to view them.
The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis), which emerge as a result of the interaction between the Earth's magnetic field and charged particles coming from the Sun, are seen in the Hatcher Pass region of Alaska, United States on November 9, 2024.

4 radio emissions Earth received from space in 2024
A radio telescope with stars in the background

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2025
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2025
Wordle game on a smartphone

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 2, 2025
Connections game on a smartphone

NYT Strands hints, answers for April 3
A game being played on a smartphone.

NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for April 3, 2025
Close-up view of crossword puzzle.
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!