First lady’s Burberry coat and Carolina Herrera gown interpreted as symbolic gestures amid tariff talks

Mrs. Melania Trump is attending a state banquet held at Windsor Castle during U.S. President Donald Trump’s second state visit on the 17th. /AFP-Yonhap

U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, who is on a state visit to the UK, drew attention by wearing a vibrant yellow dress that exposed her shoulders at a dinner event.

Melania wore a canary-yellow dress by Carolina Herrera at the dinner held at Windsor Castle on the 17th. She accessorized with a light purple silk belt around her waist and green diamond earrings.

Melania, a former model, has previously sparked various interpretations with her clothing choices, which appear to carry diplomatic implications.

Regarding the dinner dress, Vanessa Friedman, the New York Times fashion director, explained, “Compared to Queen Camilla’s royal blue dress or Princess of Wales Kate Middleton’s gold lace-embellished dress, it was a more restrained outfit.” She added, “Mrs. Trump balances revealing and concealing,” and “She wore an outfit that reflects Trump’s message of golden glory while also protecting herself from protesters worldwide and in the UK.”

However, some viewed the style as excessive for a state dinner. Marian Kwei, a renowned stylist who has contributed to Vogue, told the BBC, “It’s not a color one would typically expect to see at a state dinner,” adding, “While it may suit state diplomatic ceremonies, a shoulder-baring dress was somewhat bold.”

U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are attending an official state banquet held at Windsor Castle in the UK on the 17th and posing for a commemorative photo with UK King Charles and Queen Camilla. /AP-Yonhap

Mrs. Melania Trump is arriving to attend a state banquet held at Windsor Castle in the UK on the 17th. /AP-Yonhap

The dress also drew mixed reactions online locally. On X, there were positive comments such as, “The pink belt and yellow dress are a really unique combination, but she shines,” while others criticized, “Is Melania going to the beach?”

Earlier, on the 16th, when Melania arrived in the UK and disembarked from the presidential aircraft Air Force One, she sparked attention by wearing a Kensington trench coat from Burberry, a historic British fashion brand. Choosing Burberry’s most iconic item, a brand representing the UK, was interpreted as a diplomatic gesture. Director Friedman explained, “Burberry is probably the most famous brand in the UK while being operated by American management,” adding, “It subtly reminds that cross-border cooperation can be good business, especially at a time when tariffs are being discussed.”

President Trump and Mrs. Melania Trump arrive at Stansted Airport near London for their state visit to the UK on the 16th. /Reuters-Yonhap

Mrs. Melania Trump and President Trump are giving a salute during a welcoming ceremony held at the central square of Windsor Castle in the UK on the 17th. /AFP-Yonhap

The following day, upon arriving at Windsor Castle, she drew attention by wearing a dark two-piece skirt suit by French brand Dior paired with a wide-brimmed purple hat. The purple-brimmed hat matched President Trump’s tie color and almost concealed her eyes and face. Regarding this, Kwei stated, “Melania’s hat is not a coincidence,” adding, “The wide-brimmed hat that covers her face is intended to focus all attention on her husband and his policies during her stay here.”