Melania Trump highlighted her polished sense of style on Friday, stepping out in a tailored pantsuit for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Madame Peng Liyuan.
The 56-year-old first lady joined President Donald Trump outside the White House, where the couple welcomed the Chinese guests.
Melania chose a navy button-down blazer with coordinating trousers for the diplomatic engagement.
A slim belt cinched her waist, adding definition to the sleek ensemble.
She wore her honey-colored hair in loose waves that framed her face.
President Trump and President Xi coordinated in navy suits with red ties, while Madame Peng selected an elegant purple gown.
The two couples posed for photographs on the White House South Portico before moving inside to the Red Room for tea.
The appearance followed Melania’s look at Thursday evening’s state dinner honoring President Xi, where she made a statement in a dramatic monochrome outfit.
Melania Trump drew attention to her streamlined silhouette in a tailored pantsuit while meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Madame Peng Liyuan, on Friday
The 56-year-old first lady stood beside President Donald Trump outside the White House as they welcomed the visiting couple
For the black-tie event, the first lady notably chose not to wear a traditional evening gown.
Instead, she wore a $2,300 Saint Laurent button-up blouse featuring an oversized bow at the neckline.
She teamed the top with $1,945 embossed high-waisted trousers and a $1,345 silk cummerbund, both from Dolce and Gabbana.
Black pointed-toe Christian Louboutin heels and diamond stud earrings completed the outfit.
Melania’s preference for trousers at major public events has previously attracted considerable attention.
Cynthia Kennedy, a San Diego-based personal stylist and image consultant, previously told Our News Outlet that the first lady’s fashion choices project an image of someone who is “independent” and “rebellious.”
“She’s not doing what people expect. She’s not wearing safe, dull, traditional First Lady fashion,” Kennedy told Our News Outlet in April.
“She’s wearing what SHE wants, from her favorite designers – mostly European luxury brands like Dolce & Gabbana – and she’s making it clear that this job is something she’s doing on her own terms,” Kennedy added.
Melania opted for a sophisticated navy button-down blazer and matching trousers during the White House engagement
A fitted belt emphasized the waist of Melania’s polished ensemble
Both Trump and Xi wore navy blue suits and red ties for the outing, while Madame Peng opted for a classy purple gown
The two couples stood on the South Portico of the White House and posed for photos together, before they headed into the Red Room to enjoy tea
‘What she’s doing may not necessarily be modern, but it is strategic.
‘She’s showing that she’s on a completely different playing field and follows her own rules. She’s not interested in dressing for any role.’
Earlier that day, Melania opted for a chic pencil skirt as she attended an arrival ceremony for Xi.
She was seen arriving hand-in-hand with President Trump, wearing a stylish Alexander McQueen black pencil skirt, a single breasted button-down tweed jacket and dark Christian Louboutin stilettos.
The outing comes after Melania shared some rare insight into her relationship with her son, Barron, and she appeared to hint at growing tensions between her and the 20-year-old.
She appeared on Fox Business’s The Big Money Show on Wednesday evening, during which she was asked by co-host Taylor Riggs about how she manages to spend time with her family despite her busy schedule.
But the First Lady confessed that she doesn’t get to see her husband, President Trump, or son, Barron, as much as she’d like to.
She then seemed to suggest that Barron, who is currently studying at New York University, doesn’t want to spend as much time with her anymore.
The mother-of-one left her honey tresses in loose waves around her face
On Thursday night, Melania donned a striking monochrome ensemble as she attended the state dinner for President Xi
Earlier that day, Melania opted for a chic pencil skirt as she attended an arrival ceremony for Xi
‘You are so busy and you’re such an inspiration to young moms out there who are trying to do it all – [you] run businesses, charities, organize state dinners, run a family,’ Riggs said.
‘Do you still try to get your family together for Sunday night dinners or try to see Barron when you can? What are pieces of advice for moms who feel like they’re so stretched thin, trying to do it all, but at the end of the day just want maybe a dinner at night with their family?’ she asked the mother-of-one.
Melania explained that her best piece of advice is to ‘schedule’ time for family in advance.
‘It’s good to schedule, it’s always good because everybody’s so busy,’ she explained.
She then opened up about her struggles to spend time with her husband amid his busy schedule, as well as her son.
‘My husband is working – sometimes he’s in the Oval Office until 9.30 at night, so do you wait [until then to] have dinner? You don’t. He’s busy, I’m busy too,’ she said.
‘It’s less and less family time, [and there’s] suffering because of it. But that’s okay. We are here to work, to do a good job, and that’s what matters.’
‘Barron is already a young man, so sometimes he’s maybe even happy that I just want to do my stuff. And that’s okay,’ she added.
