I thought a number of Jackie's stylings were off kilter, particularly her shoes; but the Democrat media gushed no matter what, making snobbish comparison to the "plain cloth coats" of the Republican predecessors as if prudent spending was something to be ashamed of. Her clothing choices set off a period of Americans flaunting affluence (whether they actually have it or not) that has never ended.
But it's quite a stretch to say the other First Ladies looked homeless, or like hags! While Michelle, Hillary and Jill have terrible taste and Eleanor Roosevelt's very poor self-image was reflected in her appearance, I can't think of a single Republican FLOTUS who didn't look dignified and presentable. Laura Bush wore everything well, and Nancy Reagan was always well styled without overdoing it.
The whole idea in DC is to have Capital city style, but not fleeting fashion. Melania's background gives her the ability to straddle both worlds. She often walked a thin line, in my opinion, such as the extremely tight skirt outlining her bum that she wore when meeting Queen Elizabeth—just one inch wider around the hips would have made that skirt still hang well but not look not so revealing— however, Melania was always ultimately dignified, with correct European manners.
Almost everything Nancy Reagan wore 30 and 40 years ago could be worn today by women in serious roles -- she had great taste for classic styles.
Nancy Reagan's Style Through the Years
