Before she was the super-polished First Lady posing in immaculate coatdresses and towering heels at the White House, Melania Trump (back then Melania Knauss) was a serious fashion girl. And I’m not talking about the safe, country-club-core looks she wore while standing stoically next to Donald. No—back in the ‘90s and early 2000s, Melania was pulling off some truly daring outfits that would definitely get a hard “no” from today’s political stylists.
So let’s rewind. Before she was First Lady Melania, she was model Melania, and her style was bold, body-conscious, and unapologetically sexy. Think sheer tops, sky-high slits, and lingerie as outerwear. Here are some of her most jaw-dropping looks from that era—aka the ones she would never wear today.
1. That GQ Shoot on Trump’s Private Jet
Okay, we’re starting with a bang, literally. In January 2000, British GQ ran a photoshoot of Melania aboard Donald Trump’s private jet, and it was wild. She posed in a green vest and not much else, in other photos from this photoshoot she’s accessorized with diamonds, handcuffs, and a chrome pistol. Yep, that happened.
This was peak Y2K outrageousness, and Melania leaned all the way in. The pics resurfaced during Trump’s campaigns and stirred up plenty of controversy (because of course they did), but you’ve got to admit it was iconic in its own over-the-top way.
2. The Little Black Dress That Stole Playboy’s Party
Flash-forward to 2003. Playboy’s 50th Anniversary party is in full swing, and Melania shows up in a figure-hugging black dress that screamed Morticia Addams meets Manhattan glam. Her hair was jet-black, her accessories minimal, and the vibes were immaculate. She posed alongside future husband Donald Trump and Playmate royalty like Victoria Silvstedt and held her own like a total pro.
It’s highly unlikely that she would wear something like this now. But back then it was a total serve.
NEW YORK – DECEMBER 4: (L-R) Playmate Victoria Silvstedt, Donald Trump and Melania Knauss at the Playboy 50th Anniversary celebration December 4, 2003 in New York City. (Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images)
3. Giving Lingerie Realness at the Night of Stars Gala
In 2005 Melania was newly married, pregnant with Barron, and she showed up to the Fashion Group International’s Night of Stars gala in what can only be described as a nightgown masquerading as a red carpet dress. Silk, bows, lace straps—the whole romantic-sleepwear aesthetic was on full display.
Honestly, she looked radiant. It was maternity-meets-boudoir-chic before that was even a thing.
NEW YORK – OCTOBER 27: Donald Trump, Visionary Business Leader award honoree, and his wife Melania attend Fashion Group International’s 22nd Annual “Night Of Stars” at Cipriani’s 42nd Street October 27, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images) 
NEW YORK – OCTOBER 27: Donald Trump, Visionary Business Leader award honoree, and his wife Melania attend Fashion Group International’s 22nd Annual “Night Of Stars” at Cipriani’s 42nd Street October 27, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images) 
NEW YORK – OCTOBER 27: Melania Trump attends Fashion Group International’s 22nd Annual ‘Night Of Stars’ at Cipriani’s 42nd Street October 27, 2005 in New York City. Ms. Bullock was honored with the “Humanitarian Award”. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images)
4. Bumping in Style at a Cadillac Event
Later that same year, and just four months away from giving birth, Melania rolled up to a Cadillac event in NYC wearing a silver empire-waist dress that hugged all the right curves. And she paired it with stiletto heels, of course. We can only envy her ability to wear high heels while pregnant, for most of us that’s an elite level sport even on our fittest day.
These days Melania tends to go for more structured, conservative cuts, but back then, baby bump or not, she was bringing the glam.
5. That Tatler Swimsuit Moment
Yes, Melania did bikini shoots. One of the most memorable? A spread for Tatler magazine where she rocked a bold pink, yellow, and green two-piece with Barbie-pink sunglasses. She looked like a beach goddess from a forgotten 2000s calendar.
She also popped up in Sports Illustrated back in the day, wearing a black bikini and cuddling a blow-up whale. It’s the kind of cheeky throwback that belongs in a coffee table book.
6. Baby-Doll Top at Fashion Week? So Y2K.
Melania at New York Fashion Week in 2004 was a whole vibe. She wore a sheer pink baby-doll top with a deep V-neck, layered gold necklaces which looked a lot like golden rosary (bold choice), and a pair of Levi’s (she was their spokesmodel at the time). It was classic Y2K styling: flirty, fun, and a little risqué.
Today, she’d probably opt for a high-neck blouse and a midi skirt. But back then, she was rocking the same trends as Paris Hilton and early-aughts Lindsay Lohan.
NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 13: Entrepreneur Donald Trump and Melania Knauss attend the Marc Jacobs after party during Olympus Fashion Week Spring 2005 on September 13, 2004 at pier 54, in New York City. (Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images) 
NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 13: Melania Knauss, fiance’ of Donald Trump arrives to the Marc Jacobs Spring 2005 fashion show during Olympus Fashion Week Spring 2005 at Pier 54 September 13, 2004 in New York City. (Photo by Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images) 
NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 13: Melania Knauss, fiance’ of Donald Trump arrives to the Marc Jacobs Spring 2005 fashion show during Olympus Fashion Week Spring 2005 at Pier 54 September 13, 2004 in New York City. (Photo by Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images)
7. Strapless Gowns and Slits for Days
Red carpets were Melania’s playground in the early 2000s. She loved a strapless moment and never shied away from a dramatic slit. Her dresses hugged her curves, showed off her model legs, and oozed “don’t mess with me” energy.
She didn’t just follow trends—she made them work for her. From velvet to sequins, her pre-First Lady wardrobe was a far cry from the more demure, diplomatic style she later adopted.
386900 83: Donald Trump and his girlfriend, model Melania Knauss arrive for the 73rd Annual Academy Awards March 25, 2001 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Weeks/Getty Images) 
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 29: Donald Trump and his girlfriend Melania Knauss arrive at the 13th Annual Night of 100 Stars Oscar Viewing Black Tie Gala, February 29, 2004 at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Giulio Marcocchi/Getty Images) 
NEW YORK – APRIL 26: Donald Trump and girlfriend Melania Knauss attend the “Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century” Costume Institute benefit gala on April 26, 2004 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in New York City. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images) 
So, What Changed?
When Melania stepped into the role of First Lady, her style had to evolve. Out went the sheer tops and slinky dresses, in came custom Dior, Michael Kors coatdresses, and head-to-toe neutrals. It was a smart pivot—after all, the world’s eyes were on her, and the stakes were higher. But for those of us who remember her glam era, these old-school looks are pure fashion nostalgia. There’s something refreshing about remembering Melania before the politics, before the stiff photo ops she was just a stylish woman in her prime, confidently wearing whatever the hell she wanted.