Ladies are ladies, and they all like to dress well. However there is no denying the fact that the First Ladies are some of the most charming and best dressed people. The current fashionista and First Lady Michelle Obama, wife of President Barack Obama, isn’t the first First Lady to rock the nation and fashion lovers in an inaugural gown.

This privilege has been worn by many ladies, proof of which you will find at the Smithsonian Museum of American History that showcases the Inaugural Gowns worn by ladies for more than 100 years. Take for instance, Jackie Kennedy who was the most fashionable lady in the political arena, considering her daring gown and cape.

Here are some of the best Inaugural Gowns worn by First Ladies. You can call it the Inaugural Ball fashion, which has virtually given a new meaning to the Presidency, the First Lady, and the nation.

Michelle Obama

This inaugural sleeveless ball gown in red designed by Jason Wu was made of soft, flowy custom chiffon and velvet. It was not only romantic and optimistic, it was a fashion statement in itself.

Laura Bush

Wife of George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, Laura Bush looked amazing in a crystal-embellished gown in ruby red designed by Michael Faircloth. President Bush looked at wife Laura and said “And my Laura always looks so beautiful.”

Hillary Rodham Clinton

For the 1993 inaugural ball, the First Lady Mrs. Clinton wore a violet lace gown designed by the New York based Sarah Phillips.

Barbara Bush

In her 1989 inaugural gown outing, Mrs. Bush selected a sapphire velvet and satin gown designed by Arnold Scaasi. She was so fond of the gown that Barbara was unwilling to donate it to the Smithsonian Institution as a customary donation.

Nancy Reagan

Mrs. Reagan chose a single-shoulder white gown designed by American designer James Galanos for her husband Ronald Reagan’s inaugural ball in 1981.

Rosalynn Carter

This gown was really sophisticated. First Lady Rosalynn Carter stunned everyone with her gold-embroidered sleeveless coat over a gold-trimmed blue chiffon gown, designed by Mary Matise.

Pat Nixon

In 1969, Nixon selected a yellow gown designed by Karen Stark. It was so beautiful that the First Lady wore the Swarovski crystal-studded satin dress and matching bolero jacket to two more public events.

Lady Bird Johnson

Lady Bird Johnson graced the 1963 event dressed in canary-yellow bateau-neck gown designed by John Moore (who had also dressed Marilyn Monroe) teamed up with a pearl necklace and a pair of white gloves. She told Time magazine, “I like clothes. I like them pretty, but I want them to serve me, not for me to serve them.”

Jacqueline Kennedy

Jackie’s grace and style has always reflected her wonderful fashion choices. She loved to wear bright colors like pink, yellow, red and ivory. Audrey Hepburn was her personal fashion icon and throughout her life, Jackie followed Hepburn’s old Hollywood glamour in her dresses.

For the 1961 celebration, Jackie wore an ivory column with silver embellished bodice, veiled with a sheer overblouse along with a matching cape to bring in a touch of royalty. Jackie herself designed the gown with Bergdorf Goodman’s Ethan Frankau.