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| Donation: Helen Herron Taft, pictured right at her husband's 1909 inauguration was the first First Lady to donate her gown to the Smithsonian Museum of American History. |
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| Bolero: Pat Nixon opted for a short jacket and canary yellow dress combination. It was designed for the 1969 inauguration ball by Karen Stark for Harvey Berin |
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| Asymmetrical: Nancy Reagan wore an inauguration gown... The one-shouldered white embellished dress was designed by James Galanos. 'She knew her style very well, and it was always simple and elegant,' Galanos told the Los Angeles Times |
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| Possible clash: Arnold Scaasi designed this gown for Barbara Bush. The designer had already sold three so he called his other clients to ensure they weren't wearing it to the 1989 ball |
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| Purple reign: Hillary Clinton, often criticized by the fashion pack, took on an uncharacteristic glitzy style with this gown for the 1993 inauguration ball |
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| First Lady in red: Laura Bush opted for this eye-catching Michael Faircloth gown for her husbands 2001 inauguration ball |
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| Michelle Obama chose a Jason Wu dress for the inauguration ball in 2009 |
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| Michelle Obama stuck to what she knows and picked another dress by Jason Wu - a dramatic ruby-colored velvet and chiffon creation made especially for her |
◼ From Helen Taft to Hillary Clinton and Barbara Bush, Smithsonian Museum of American History exhibition shows off inauguration ball choices of First Ladies gone by - Daily Mail
◼ First Lady wore chiffon and velvet creation by designer who also made gown for 2009 ball - Daily Mail
◼ Michelle Obama Wears Inauguration Jewelry by L.A. Jeweler Kimberly McDonald - Hollywood Reporter
◼ Inauguration Day through the years - CBS News (Slideshow)
