Why did Melania Trump’s iconic inauguration hat almost miss the ceremony?

Melania Trump's iconic wide-brimmed hat for the inauguration faced unexpected challenges.

Melania Trump made a statement in a wide-brimmed hat during Donald Trump’s inauguration, but the accessory almost didn’t make it to the event.

Eric Javits, the American designer who created the hat to pair with Melania’s navy silk wool Adam Lippes coat, told *WWD* that it “arrived all crushed” when shipped from his Miami office to New York.

“It looked like it had been sitting in snow drifts for about a week,” he said, adding that he had to redo the hat as it couldn’t be repaired due to its construction.

Javits described the situation as “a little bit of a cliffhanger,” explaining that stylist Hervé Pierre hand-delivered the newly made hat to Melania to avoid further mishaps.

“No other hands touched, nor did any other eyes see the hat, prior to Hervé and the first lady receiving it,” Javits noted.

Designer Adam Lippes expressed pride in the craftsmanship of Melania’s outfit, saying, “Mrs. Trump’s outfit was created by some of America’s finest craftsmen and I take great pride in showing such work to the world.”

Melania’s look inspired numerous memes, with social media comparing her to Michael Jackson in the “Smooth Criminal” video and McDonald’s Hamburglar.

One X user joked, “Well thank god we finally figured out where in the world Carmen Sandiego is,” referencing the iconic character’s outfit.

A viral video showed Donald Trump attempting to kiss Melania’s cheek but being blocked by the wide brim of her hat, a moment that drew laughs online.

The couple’s 18-year-old son, a freshman at New York University, also attended the ceremony and stood towering over his mother.

The teenager, who was 10 during Donald’s first presidential inauguration in 2017, is now an adult.

Donald Trump, 78, secured re-election in November 2024.

The former president’s five children and their families attended the event at the Capitol, dressing up for various appearances over the weekend.

Celebrities including Logan Paul and Lauren Sánchez were present, while Carrie Underwood performed among other singers during the Washington, DC, inauguration.