Melania Trump's Festive Footwear At White House Christmas Tree Event Gifts Us Holiday Shoe Inspo

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First lady Melania Trump had people doing a double take on November 24 when she stepped out to inspect the White House Christmas tree. The stylish political celeb strut her stuff in sky-high, plaid Manolo Blahnik stilettos that gave major holiday shoe inspo. The white, red, and black pointed-toe footwear perfectly matched her coat and leather gloves, marking a fun way to dress for the season in a classy, sophisticated, and fashion-forward way. Although some experts argue that sky-high stilettos were considered outdated heels in 2025, it seems Trump is making a case that may be changing for winter.

The First Lady welcomes and inspects the official White House Christmas Tree! 🎄 pic.twitter.com/iJDxFDvH3k

— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) November 24, 2025

For those who wish to recreate the look, the Betsey Johnson Lillyan Pumps in Red Plaid offer a similar print vibe for the holidays while tapping into the micro heel trend that's been a staple since fall. They also have a bow, so you'll be doubly stylish seeing as Meghan Markle already gave us shoe bow inspo for the holidays. The Sam Edelman Toni Pump in Oat Multi/Alpine Ivory is another way to get on trend by combining a lower heel and plaid, offering a more neutral palette in line with Trump's. Even better? Plaid already made a comeback for fall, so this is a trend you can hop on right away.

Though Melania Trump's plaid heels are specifically trendy right now, the star's overall style is living proof of why it's important to hold on to fashion pieces for a little while. There's a good chance they'll be back on trend before you know it. In December 2020, Trump sported the same Manolo Blahniks while attending a Toys for Tots event. That time, she showed us a totally different way to style them for the holiday season. She paired the classic stilettos with cropped, white pants and a dark blue blazer with a long-sleeve, white turtleneck underneath.

Marleen Moise/Getty

The first lady isn't the only celebrity who's showed us the power of plaid footwear around the holidays. Tate McRae walked the Jingle Bell Ball red carpet in a pair of black-and-white, rounded plaid pumps in December 2024. The Canadian hitmaker rocked the eye-catching heels with a shiny, olive, long coat over barely-there hot pants (a spill over from the divisive pantless trend that was hot that spring and summer) with a classic white shirt and tie. Though McRae's unique outfit may not go down well around the family holiday table, it could totally work in the real world if styled with a black pencil skirt, as the body-hugging garment had a huge resurgence in 2025.