The inauguration is really about swearing in the next president, but first ladies throughout history have stolen the show with their inaugural gowns.

when Helen Taft donated her gown from the inaugural ball to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Since then the museum has collected each inaugural ensemble for its First Ladies ...

The first lady wore a strapless white gown with a geometric black trim and a small slit to the inaugural ball on Monday, Jan. 20First lady Melania Trump wore a black-and-white gown to celebrate ...

First ladies ... gown with a velvet bodice to the inaugural balls. The dress' designer, Arnold Scaasi, called her "the most glamorous grandmother in the United States," according to the Smithsonian.

But the tradition of making a statement through clothing goes back to 1912, when Helen Taft donated her gown from the inaugural ball to the Smithsonian ... Getty Images The former first lady ...

First ladies have worn ... Bush wore a royal-blue gown with a velvet bodice to the inaugural balls. The dress' designer, Arnold Scaasi, called her "the most glamorous grandmother in the United States, ...