Melania Trump's white blouse and black trousers drew criticism from X users as she and President Donald Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, for a state dinner at the White House on Thursday, 24 September, with commenters immediately reacting to the outfit, saying they expected the First Lady to wear a dress or skirt.
Xi's visit followed Trump's trip to China in May. Xi and Peng arrived in the United States on Wednesday, 23 September, when Trump greeted them at Joint Base Andrews.
The White House held a state arrival ceremony the next morning and a dinner in the East Room that evening. Melania Trump joined the president in welcoming the couple to the White House.
Melania Trump's Trousers Prompt Comments About the Dinner
At the dinner, the first lady wore a white blouse with a large bow at the neck, high-waisted black trousers and pointed black heels, according to a report that also described diamond stud earrings and hair swept back from her face. The bow and trousers became the focus of the comments quoted from X.
One user said Trump should have worn a skirt or dress. The commenter called the outfit 'too casual' and said that, although her style was usually 'impeccable,' 'This is a miss.' Another questioned the bow and her decision to wear trousers, while a third used an expletive to disparage the combination. A further commenter joked about wearing the blouse while eating dinner.
President Trump: “Why are you wearing the “Mao Suit” tonight”😄
— El Profesor Garlic 🧄🤖⚡️🚘🔋📡🛰️🇺🇸🚀🟠 (@teshen8lin) September 25, 2026
Lady Peng: “Wow, a crisp white Saint Laurent cotton poplin blouse with a massive necktie bow paired with high-waisted dark trousers, you look like a fashion model”. pic.twitter.com/sWxCAuP1ql
Those posts show criticism, not wider public opinion. The quoted users did not cite a dress requirement for the dinner.
The White House announcement describing the event does not specify one, either. 'Too casual' is the commenter's fashion judgement, rather than an established finding that Trump broke a rule.
The report identified the blouse as Saint Laurent and the trousers as Dolce & Gabbana, citing retail prices of $2,300 (£1,735.43) and $1,945 (£1,468.45), respectively, from the Irish Star. Those are reported prices for the garments, not evidence of what Trump paid for the pieces she wore. No purchase details were provided.
Melania Trump's Earlier Style Commentary Offers Context
The first lady also attended other events during the visit. After Thursday's arrival ceremony, she accompanied Peng to the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art in Washington.
According to the White House, they toured parts of the collection and met students from the Washington area.
The White House said Melania Trump led preparations for the evening meal, which brought together the official delegations, business leaders and government officials.
Insanely fierce 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ahR6Fgv4Sy
— FLOTUS Report (@MELANIAJTRUMP) September 24, 2026
Stylist and image consultant Cynthia Kennedy had previously offered an assessment of Trump's wardrobe in remarks reported by the Daily Mail.
Kennedy described the first lady's fashion choices as 'independent' and 'rebellious' and said she did not dress according to expectations of traditional first lady fashion.
Kennedy was commenting on Trump's style generally before Xi's visit. Her assessment does not explain why Trump chose this particular outfit.
The comments about Thursday's dinner remain just as limited. Some users disliked the trousers, the prominent bow or both.
The published reactions do not show how most viewers regarded the outfit, and Kennedy's earlier remarks cannot establish Trump's intentions. What we can say is narrower: amid a White House state visit, several people chose to discuss what the first lady wore.
