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Russian (RU) Presidents and first ladies often coordinate their outfits with matching colors.
Donald Trump and Melania Trump wore matching shades of purple on their second state visit to the UK.
Wearing matching colors "communicates stability and solidarity," a stylist told Business Insider.
The outfits that presidents and first ladies wear are more than just clothes — they can also send unspoken messages.
Lauren Rothman, a style strategist and image coach, previously told Business Insider that when high-profile political couples wear matching colors, such as President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump's coordinating purple looks while visiting the UK in September, it "communicates stability and solidarity."
"Dressing in coordinating tones signals unity, whether conscious or unconscious," she said. "They are presenting themselves as a team."
Photos show how presidents and first ladies have employed this subtle strategy over the past quarter-century.
President George W. Bush and Laura Bush wore matching shades of blue to the inauguration in January 2001.
384549 02: Clockwise from upper right, former president George Bush, President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush put their hands over their hearts as President Bush''s brother Florida Governor Jeb Bush looks on during the Inaugural Parade January 20, 2001, in Washington, DC.Alex Wong/Newsmakers
Her blue suit was created by Michael Faircloth, a Dallas-based designer.
The first lady wore a coral suit that coordinated with George Bush's tie in July 2001.
391351 02: With First Lady Laura Bush by his side, US President George W. Bush comments on the health of Vice President Dick Cheney while meeting with the leadership of National Service Organization in the Roosevelt Room at the White House July 2, 2001 in Washington, DC.Mark Wilson/Getty Images
The Bushes attended a National Service Organization meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House.
In August 2001, they wore the same shade of green aboard Air Force One.
393980 02: US President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush sit aboard Air Force One as the plane flies over Texas August 29, 2001 on their return to Waco, Texas. Bush's roundtrip flightfrom Waco to San Antonio was the last mission for Air Force One, a Boeing 707. The jet was President Reagan's primary aircraft and will be retired to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, CARick Wilking/Getty Images
The Bushes flew on Air Force One to their ranch in Waco, Texas.
George W. Bush's red tie paired well with Laura Bush's red suit in April 2005.
U.S. President George W Bush and first lady Laura Bush attend the dedication ceremonies of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Ill., on April 19, 2005. | Location: Springfield, Ill.Brooks Kraft LLC/Corbis via Getty Images
The president and first lady attended the dedication of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Illinois.
In July 2009, President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama each wore black, white, and red.
US President Barack Obama stands with First Lady Michelle Obama as he addresses a reception for ambassadors to the United States on July 27, 2009 in the Grand Foyer of the White House in Washington, DC.SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images
Obama addressed a reception for US ambassadors in the Grand Foyer of the White House.
Michelle Obama's gray shirt and silver pin matched Barack Obama's silver tie in December 2010.
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 13: (AFP OUT) U.S. President Barack Obama (L) listens as first lady Michelle Obama delivers remarks before the president signs the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 at Harriet Tubman Elementary School December 13, 2010 in Washington, DC. In an effort to provide children with better school lunches and breakfasts, the new law puts $4.5 million in the hands of child nutrition programs, sets nutrition standards on school vending machines, helps create school gardens and makes sure that quality drinking water is available during meal times.Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
They appeared together at Harriet Tubman Elementary School in Washington, DC, for the signing of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. The act supported child nutrition programs and healthy school lunches.
They matched again in July 2014 in slate blue.
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 18: (AFP OUT) U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama deliver remarks at the Kids' State Dinner in the East Room at the White House on July 18, 2014 in Washington, DC. The event, in it's third year, recognizes winners of a nationwide recipe challenge to promote healthy lunches in schools.Kevin Dietsch-Pool/Getty Images
They attended the Kids' State Dinner in the East Room together.
In September 2015, Barack Obama wore a light-mauve tie that complemented Michelle Obama's pink dress.
US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama arrive for the 2014 National Medal of Arts ceremony in the East Room of the White House on September 10, 2015 in Washington, DC.MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images
They arrived together for the National Medal of Arts ceremony held in the East Room.
Barack Obama wore slate blue again while arriving in India in January 2015, coordinating with Michelle Obama's dress from Indian-American designer Bibhu Mohapatra.
NEW DELHI, INDIA - JANUARY 25: U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama arrives at Palam Air Force Station on January 25, 2015 in New Delhi, India. Obama is in India on a three-day visit, and he and first lady Michelle Obama were greeted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the airport. He announced that the U.S. and India have made progress on civilian nuclear trade. He said the countries had agreed to more cooperation in other areas as well, including defense and climate changeVipin Kumar/Hindustan Times via Getty Images
The black-and-white dress featured a blue floral design.
In July 2017, President Donald Trump wore a blue tie that matched first lady Melania Trump's stilettos.
PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 14: U.S President Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump attend the traditional Bastille day military parade on the Champs-Elysees on July 14, 2017 in Paris France. Bastille Day, the French National day commemorates this year the 100th anniversary of the entry of the United States of America into World War I.Thierry Chesnot/Getty Images
The Trumps attended a traditional Bastille Day military parade while visiting France.
Melania Trump wore a red top to match Donald Trump's trademark red tie in September 2017.
US President Donald Trump speaks about Hurricane Irma watched by First Lady Melania Trump upon return to the White House in Washington, DC on September 10, 2017. - Trump returned to Washington after spending the weekend at the Camp David presidential retreat.MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images
The Trumps wore red while returning from a weekend at Camp David.
The Trumps wore matching black-and-white stripes at Mar-a-Lago in April 2018.
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump walk with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as they arrive for dinner at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida on April 17, 2018.MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images
They welcomed Japan's prime minister at the time, Shinzo Abe, to Trump's resort in Palm Beach, Florida.
Melania Trump wore a red belt to go with Donald Trump's red tie in July 2018.
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 04: US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk down the White House steps prior to greeting guests during a picnic for military families on the South Lawn of the White House on July 4, 2018 in Washington, DC.Alex Edelman/Getty Images
They hosted a picnic for military families on the South Lawn of the White House.
In July 2018, they matched in red again while visiting Europe.
US President Donald Trump speaks to the media alongside First Lady Melania Trump as they walk to Marine One prior to departure from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, July 10, 2018, as they travel on a week-long trip to Europe, with stops in Brussels, London, Scotland and Helsinki.SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images
The president and first lady visited Brussels, London, Scotland, and Helsinki on a weeklong trip to Europe.
Melania Trump's off-white and navy Gucci coat coordinated with Donald Trump's blue-and-white outfit as they greeted the president and first lady of Poland in September 2018.
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 18: U.S. President Donald Trump (3rd L), first lady Melania Trump (R), President Andrzej Sebastian Duda (2nd L) of Poland and his wife Agata Kornhauser-Duda (L) pose after Duda's arrival at the White House on September 18, 2018 in Washington, DC. Duda is on his first trip to the White House.Tasos Katopodis-Pool via Getty Images
The coat retailed for $3,980, Yahoo News reported.
Melania Trump's yellow Louboutins went well with Donald Trump's yellow tie on a May 2019 visit to Japan.
YOKOSUKA, JAPAN - MAY 28 : Arrival of U.S. President Donald Trump (L) and his wife Melania Trump (R), flanked Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Abe's wife Akie Abe onboard the Japan's navy ship Kaga on May 28, 2019 in Yokosuka, Japan.AFP / Charly Triballeau / Pool/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Melania's orange coat was designed by Dries Van Noten.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden wore matching navy jackets in June 2021.
NEWQUAY, ENGLAND - JUNE 09: U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden react upon arrival at Cornwall Airport on June 9, 2021 near Newquay, Cornwall, England. On June 11, Prime Minister Boris Johnson will host the Group of Seven leaders at a three-day summit in Cornwall, as the wealthiest nations look to chart a course for recovery from the global pandemic.Phil Noble - WPA Pool/Getty Images
The Bidens wore the matching jackets upon landing in Cornwall, UK, for the G7 Summit.
Joe Biden's navy suit and red tie coordinated perfectly with the colors in Jill Biden's printed dress in October 2021.
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 04: U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden return to the White House after spending the weekend in Delaware on October 04, 2021 in Washington, DC. Biden is scheduled to deliver remarks Monday about the need for Congress to raise the debt ceiling.Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
The Bidens returned to the White House after spending the weekend in Delaware.
The Bidens matched in navy again in October 2021.
US President Joe Biden and US First Lady Jill Biden arrive at the Chigi palace in Rome on October 29, 2021, for a meeting with the Italian prime minister ahead of an upcoming G20 summit of world leaders to discuss climate change, covid-19 and the post-pandemic global recovery.ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images
Jill wore a navy suit designed by Adam Lippes.
In November 2021, Biden wore a blue-and-pink striped tie that complemented Jill's three-quarter-sleeve fuchsia dress.
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 15: U.S. President Joe Biden signs an executive order to help improve public safety and justice reform for Native American communities as (L-R) First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra look on after delivering remarks at the 2021 Tribal Nations Summit, at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on November 15, 2021 in Washington, DC. The summit, which coincides with national Native American Heritage Month, creates the opportunity for Tribal leaders to engage directly with officials from the Biden Administration.Alex Wong/Getty Images
Biden signed an executive order to help improve public safety and justice reform for Native American communities.
In May 2022, they wore matching shades of light blue at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrive at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on May 18, 2022. - President Biden is traveling to Joint Base Andrews to receive a briefing on interagency efforts to prepare for and respond to hurricanes this season, while the First Lady is departing for a trip to Ecuador, Panama and Costa Rica.ERIN SCHAFF/AFP via Getty Images
Biden received a briefing at the base, while Jill departed for a trip to Ecuador, Panama, and Costa Rica. Both wore shades of blue.
They coordinated in indigo when Joe Biden explained his decision to withdraw from the presidential race in July 2024.
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 24: U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden stand after the president's speech from the Oval Office of the White House on July 24, 2024 in Washington, DC. The president addressed reasons for abruptly ending his run for a second term after initially rejecting calls from some top Democrats to do so, and outlined what he hopes to accomplish in his remaining months in office.Evan Vucci-Pool/Getty Images
Joe Biden recorded a video message in the Oval Office addressing his reasons for ending his presidential campaign.
During Donald Trump's second term, he and Melania Trump coordinated in purple during a state visit to the UK.
WINDSOR, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: (L-R) Catherine, Princess of Wales and William, Prince of Wales receive US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at Windsor Castle on September 17, 2025 in Windsor, England.WPA Pool/Getty Images
Melania Trump wore a gray skirt suit and purple hat by Dior, which Donald Trump matched with a purple tie.
The Trumps' visit to Windsor Castle featured carriage rides, a military jet flyover, and a state banquet.
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