President Kennedy with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy at his inauguration in January, 1961. Image: Leonard McCombe / The LIFE Picture Collection / Getty.
President Joe Biden will reportedly be wearing Ralph Lauren to his inauguration. The fashion choices of the ceremony’s female attendees are shrouded in secrecy, but you can be sure the pattern companies are paying close attention.
Sixty years ago, Jacqueline Kennedy made Inauguration-Day history in Oleg Cassini and a Halston pillbox hat. Cassini may not have licensed any coat patterns, but dressmakers could soon make their own cloth hats with Vogue’s Halston patterns.
Vogue 6606 by Halston of Bergdorf Goodman (1965) Image: Etsy.
In 1965, Second Lady Muriel Humphrey Brown wore Balmain, made from a Vogue pattern. “For the inauguration itself, Mrs. Humphrey made her own dress of pale blue angora and wool broadcloth from a Vogue Paris original pattern by Balmain… The dress is semi-fitted, with simulated slot seaming along the bodice and down the front of the skirt, giving an empire line.” (“Mrs. Humphrey Sews Dress: Inauguration Gowns Will Be Red, White, Blue,” AP / Globe and Mail, January 18, 1965.) Her dress was probably this Vogue Paris Original:
Vogue 1327 by Balmain (1964) Model: Jean Shrimpton. Image: Etsy.
In 2009, Michelle Obama wore custom Isabel Toledo. A Butterick pattern soon followed:
Butterick 5396 after Isabel Toledo (2009) Image: Etsy.
In 2017, the publication of this Ralph Lauren-inspired inauguration ensemble caused some controversy:
V9266 after Ralph Lauren on the cover of the Vogue Patterns Fall 2017 lookbook. Model: Caroline Mathis. Image: Issuu.
Any guesses which designer labels Dr. Jill Biden and Kamala Harris might wear on Inauguration Day?
The new Vogue patterns for fall 2020 play with drape and texture for dropping temperatures. Plus, for those who like a challenge, there’s outerwear in luxe synthetics.
Both of Vogue’s cover looks are designer adaptations. (More on those later.)
Lauren Buys in V1714 moto jacket in vegan leather, Vogue Fall 2020 lookbook. Image: Issuu.
The new Badgley Mischka was Fall 2019’s opening look, as worn by South-Sudanese model Ajak Deng. The sequinned pantsuit comes with a matching tie belt.
Badgley Mischka Fall 2019. Model: Ajak Deng. Image: Vogue.com.V1716 by Badgley Mischka (2020) Model: Lauren Buys. Image: McCall’s.
For his Fall 2019 collection, Laroche designer Richard René was inspired by the founder’s black marble tomb. The Guy Laroche ad campaign also featured Vogue’s selection: a high-necked dress for stretch knits.
Guy Laroche Fall 2019 by Richard René. Image: Vogue.com.Detail, Guy Laroche Fall 2019 by Richard René. Image: Vogue.com.Guy Laroche Fall 2019 ad campaign. Model: Vera von Bürhen. Photos: Tania et Vincent. Images: Guy Laroche.V1721 by Richard René for Guy Laroche (2020) Model: Lauren Buys. Image: McCall’s.
The new Rachel Comey designs were shown together on the Fall ’19 runway. But Comey had sent out the Alter pants for Spring ’18, as part of a black suit.
A look from Rachel Comey Spring 2018. Image: Vogue.com.
The original Jaunt coat is turmeric solaric (a crinkle patent) with shearling collar and rib-knit cuffs.
Rachel Comey’s Jaunt coat and Alter pants on the Fall 2019 runway. Image: Vogue.com.V1711 by Rachel Comey (2020) Jaunt coat. Image: McCall’s.V1729 by Rachel Comey (2020) Alter pants. Image: McCall’s.
One of Fall’s cover looks, V1717, is adapted from Gucci by Alessandro Michele. That season, the Gucci ad campaign highlighted a traditional garment district.
A look from Gucci Fall 2019 by Alessandro Michele. Image: Vogue.com.Gucci Fall 2019 ad campaign. Photo: Glen Luchford. Art direction: Christopher Simmonds. Image: Gucci / Fashionista.Gucci Fall ’19, wool blend with velvet trim. Image: Net-a-Porter.V1717 after Gucci (2020) Image: McCall’s.
Instead of a Vintage Vogue, there’s a ’70s-style jumpsuit, also adapted from Gucci. Lana Del Rey wore a green version in the brand’s fragrance campaign for Cruise 2019. Michele used a wool-silk cady for both the original jumpsuit and playsuit variation. (View on the Gucci website: Navy jumpsuit | Gardenia playsuit.)
Gucci Guilty campaign with Lana Del Rey and Jared Leto, 2019. Photo: Glen Luchford. Image: Fashionista.Gucci belted wool-silk cady jumpsuit. Image: Net-a-Porter.Gucci wool-silk cady playsuit in Gardenia. Image: Net-a-Porter.V1719 after Gucci (2020) Image: McCall’s.
There are also tops adapted from Isabel Marant and LaPointe. Marant’s striped Bianca blouse, with bias cowl and shoulder flanges, made its first appearance in the cult designer’s very ’80s-inspired Fall ’19 collection. In a metallic stripe, it becomes the Ramone.
A look from Isabel Marant Fall 2019. Image: Vogue.com.Isabel Marant Resort 2020. Model: Veronika Kunz. Photo: Bibi Cornejo Borthwick. Image: Vogue.com.Isabel Marant Resort 2020. Model: Veronika Kunz. Photo: Bibi Cornejo Borthwick. Image: Vogue.com.V1726 after Isabel Marant (2020) Image: McCall’s.
The LaPointe was shown in sweater and blouse variations, made in cashmere, viscose-polyester knit, and striped satin. Vogue adds a bias cut for drape.
LaPointe scarf-neck sweaters in mint cashmere and gold viscose-polyester. Images: LaPointe.A look from LaPointe Pre-Fall 2020. Images: LaPointe.V1727 after LaPointe (2020) Image: McCall’s.
This sleeveless McQueen midi dress dates to circa Fall 2015. Vogue’s version cuts the bodice, and optional sleeves, on the bias.
Alexander McQueen asymmetric-hem midi dress in emerald-green stretch wool blend. Image: Matches Fashion.V1725 after Alexander McQueen by Sarah Burton (2020) Image: McCall’s.
Vogue’s moto jacket cover look is also adapted from McQueen. Designer Sarah Burton first showed her extra-generous peplums in Spring ’18; her peplum biker jackets are belted, embroidered, or even made with a contrast drape.
Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall 2018. Photo: Chloé Le Drezen. Image: Vogue Runway.Alexander McQueen Resort 2019. Model: Selena Forrest. Photo: Chloé Le Drezen. Image: Vogue.com.Alexander McQueen Resort 2020 by Sarah Burton. Model: Shanelle Nyasiase. Photo: Chloé Le Drezen. Editor: Camilla Nickerson. Image: Vogue.com.V1714 after Alexander McQueen by Sarah Burton (2020) Image: McCall’s.
Burton introduced the shorter version, in black or ivory, for Fall ’19. (There’s one left at Alexander McQueen online, or try Bergdorf’s.) Just add hardware.
Alexander McQueen peplum biker jacket in black leather. Image: Net-a-Porter.Alexander McQueen peplum biker jacket in ivory leather. Image: Alexander McQueen.Alexander McQueen Resort 2020 by Sarah Burton. Model: Shanelle Nyasiase. Photo: Chloé Le Drezen. Editor: Camilla Nickerson. Image: Anne of Carversville.
