Ivanka Trump’s attire for Monday’s 2025 Liberty Inaugural Ball in Washington drew criticism from some quarters.
If you have not been living under a rock, you are aware that earlier this week, Ivanka Trump, her father, who has always been both amusing and controversial, was formally sworn in as president.
The day signaled the start of Trump’s second term as US president. The real estate tycoon previously served from 2017 to 2021.
As was inevitable, internet users worldwide closely watched and analyzed nearly every aspect of Trump’s historic day.
Following the presidential inauguration, conversations have swirled around Elon Musk’s alleged “Nazi salute,” speculation about Melania Trump’s choice of hat, and lip-readers dissecting what Barron Trump may or may not have said to Joe Biden.
In short, very little escaped public scrutiny on inauguration day, with even seemingly innocuous outfits becoming topics of intense online debate.
One such example was Ivanka Trump, who wore a particular dress reminiscent of her time advising her father during his first term in office.
This moment presents an opportunity to emphasize that, within reason, no one should be criticized or judged for their choice of attire.
The internet, as always, remains a hub for unfiltered commentary, often disregarding morality, decency, or decorum. In other words, public figures can expect endless scrutiny of their hairstyles, wardrobe choices, speech patterns, and behavior.
As previously noted, Ivanka Trump drew criticism from some corners of the internet for her outfit at the Inauguration Day Liberty Ball. Her dress, inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s iconic look in the 1954 film Sabrina, paid homage to one of the most celebrated style icons of the 20th century.
The original design, credited to Hubert de Givenchy, was a hallmark of elegance, and Ivanka’s rendition stayed true to its timeless charm. Created by the French fashion house Givenchy, her gown featured a white silhouette with a short train and intricate black floral embroidery.
Complementing the ensemble, Ivanka styled her hair in a classic chignon and accessorized with a diamond necklace, stiletto heels, and black opera gloves that extended to her elbows—closely mirroring Hepburn’s legendary look.
Ivanka looked undeniably stunning in the dress, but as is so often the case these days, critics were quick to weigh in with their opinions.
One particularly harsh comment on social media read, “The longer I look at the details, the more laughable this becomes.”
Another user remarked, “The texture and embroidery on Ivanka’s version look cartoonish, and it lacks the same finesse. Hepburn is incomparable.”
A third added, “Audrey would have despised Ivanka and her family.”
Of course, these comments represent just one side of the conversation. Many others praised Ivanka’s appearance and her choice of outfit for the evening.
Sean Hepburn Ferrer, Audrey Hepburn’s son, even shared his perspective, suggesting that Ivanka’s decision to honor his mother wasn’t surprising given her upbringing. “It is no wonder that growing up in a family which knew our mother as a household name she chose to draw inspiration from her, to seek the ultimate elegance and class reference, for an occasion such as this one – the inauguration and the 32nd anniversary of our mother’s passing and, most of all, Martin Luther King’s day,” he told the Daily Mail. “What a cocktail!”
As the evening’s buzz fades, one thing seems clear: Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner, are unlikely to return to White House roles during Donald Trump’s second term.
