“Melania did not wear a veil in Saudi Arabia!” “Melania did wear a veil to the Vatican!” “Melania changes outfits during flight!”<br />Does it really matter?<br />After landing at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, she materialized on the steps of Air Force One in<br />that black jumpsuit, whose Wonder Woman gold Saint Laurent belt, flowing hemline, long sleeves and notch neck made everyone think: abaya!<br />Add up the Stella McCartney black jumpsuit, the Michael Kors gingham coat dress, the Ralph Lauren khaki shirtdress, the taupe Maison Ullens suit and the myriad Dolce & Gabbana cocktail laces,<br />that brand’s gambler’s trouser suit and botanical day coat, and what do you have?<br />Melania Trump on Display, Dressed in Ambivalence and Armor -<br />By VANESSA FRIEDMANMAY 26, 2017<br />And so we come to the end of what has been the longest<br />and most comprehensive viewing of Melania Trump playing the role of first lady since her husband’s administration began: nine days, five countries, more than a dozen outfits, all of them photographed and recorded (and exclaimed over) for the historical record.<br />For every moment when Mrs. Trump seemed to engage with the historical precedent of her job — which largely involves humanizing the president by being the approachable, accessible half of the equation,<br />and participating cheerfully in the spousal exercises of dressing, dining and hospital visiting — there was another in which she seemed to reject it.<br />Like many of her Western predecessors, she went veil-less in Saudi Arabia, but bent to Vatican tradition by wearing a lace veil to meet the pope.
