Trump's inauguration: Will fashion take a front row seat?

Traditional is not an adjective that’s been ascribed to Donald Trump and his family, but their fashion choices may be one of the more classic aspects of their oft-tumultuous and, in many cases, unprecedented move to the White House.

The president-elect will likely stick to the fashion script for his inaugural day and night festivities.

That means he'll probably turn to his stable of Brioni suits, the upscale Italian label he's been wearing since they supplied suits to him on The Apprentice. (President Obama has also worn the brand.) . The three official balls are  black tie, similar to the Bush era, instead of white tie, like the more formal balls hosted by Ronald Reagan. So expect a lot of black-on-black, like his recent pick for New Year's Eve — no flashy cuff links or giant lapel pins. And definitely none of the Lilly Pulitzer or mascot-printed cumberbuns that tend to pop up at southern state society balls.

"In many respects, it’s fashion but it’s ceremonial dress," says Amy de la Haye, curator of the Coco Chanel exhibit at American University's Katzen Arts Center. "It has to fulfill a function. It’s not just about fashion, it’s about having a certain gravitas. There might be a message."

As for Trump's day-to-day style, it remains to be seen which persona he'll employ.

“Will we see this slick, sleek, well-dressed The Apprentice-type look? The suave business man, the New York personality? Or are we going to see sort of the Trump in politics that we’ve come to know over the last year year and six months — the clothing is oversized, shoulders are baggy, that really fits into that visual of what dressing in politics has been,” says Lauren A. Rothman, stylist and author of Style Bible: What to Wear to Work.

For Melania, the implications are more pointed.

“We don’t know much about her," says D.C.-based stylist April Yvonne. "This is going to set the tone. She’s likely to have more harsh judgement on her. If she continues to look amazing and put together every time she’s out, without putting some substance behind it, there'll be criticism to go along with it."

Which is one reason style-watchers expect Melania to select an understated yet elegant gown as opposed to some of the figure-hugging pieces she's worn in the past — think polished Laura Bush more than mom-in-chief Michelle Obama.

“Melania is just this glamorous, next level version of what Laura Bush presented, which was always put together, lipstick on, hair done," Yvonne says.

It’s also an opportunity for Melania — who has made no public speeches or commentary since her husband won the election — to connect with the American public and communicate what type of first lady she’ll be.

"It would be great if she wore a classic dress that any woman could slip into," says Rothman. "Even if the price point is high, we don’t expect it to be attainable for an inaugural gown, but it would be amazing if she wore something that was a beacon of hope, strapless with a full skirt, that really any woman could hide a pair of hips under there."

For the daytime festivities, Rothman anticipates she'll stick to a professional look.

"Maybe a fuller skirt, not always a fitted skirt, more wide leg pants. Items that can lend an executive presence," she predicts.

That leaves wide options in terms of designers, styles and colors. But there’s one direction experts say the Trumps shouldn’t go: wearing their own brands.

Trump launched the Donald J. Trump collection more than a decade ago with moderately priced suits, ties and shirts. Many are still available on Amazon, though they were dropped by Macy's following his campaign kickoff. Starting with jewelry in 2007, Ivanka built her own line of accessories and clothing carried by Macy's, Nordstrom and more. Last week she announced she'd be stepping down from management and operations with the brand.

“For certain first ladies, or first lady equivalents in terms of star power, there is a decided economic effect on companies whose clothes are worn by first ladies," says Susan Scafidi, a Fordham professor and founder of the Fashion Law Institute. "So there is a question of whether or not it would be ethical to strategically wear items from your own collection then to sell them."

Scafidi doesn't expect Trump to wear his ties or Ivanka to wear her accessories on Inauguration Day.

Instead, Scafidi expects the Trump family to acknowledge that presidential fashion is important — whether it's conveying a traditional side of the family  or drumming up interest for their own brands .

"If anything comes out of this cycle it could be a realization that fashion is not merely frivolous, fashion is form of communication and fashion statements are just that communicative."