First Lady Melania Trump made a striking fashion statement during her visit to Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia on Sunday, October 5, 2025, channeling the iconic “Top Gun” aesthetic in a brown leather bomber jacket that drew immediate comparisons to the beloved 1986 film.
The 55-year-old first lady accompanied President Donald Trump to the naval station for a Salute to the Fleet celebration honoring the Navy’s 250th anniversary. Her aviation-inspired ensemble consisted of a chocolate brown leather bomber layered over a crisp white collared shirt, paired with slim-fit blue jeans and classic dark loafers.
Trump completed her military-casual look with oversized black aviator sunglasses and a white baseball cap embroidered with “USA” across the front. The ensemble evoked the polished, confident aesthetic of Charlotte “Charlie” Blackwood, the character played by Kelly McGillis in the original Top Gun franchise as the love interest to Tom Cruise’s Navy aviator Pete “Maverick” Mitchell.
The presidential couple visited the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier, where they engaged with sailors and witnessed military demonstrations on the ship’s deck. The event drew an estimated 10,000 attendees who gathered to commemorate the significant naval milestone.
During her address to the crowd, Trump greeted sailors with the traditional Navy call “hooyah,” which they enthusiastically returned. She expressed that it was an honor to be present and praised the service members’ dedication. Trump noted that “generations of sailors have kept America free because of your presence on the high seas.”
The first lady appeared animated and engaged throughout the celebration, smiling widely while waving to attendees and making rounds at various activity stations. She thanked the naval personnel for their strength, bravery and sacrifice, emphasizing how their service inspires Americans.
President Trump also addressed the gathering, taking the opportunity to comment on current political matters, specifically targeting Democratic lawmakers regarding the ongoing government shutdown. He assured service members that they would receive full compensation despite the political impasse, a statement that drew cheers from the military audience.
The couple’s coordinated appearance on the aircraft carrier, with Marines saluting in the background and Marine One helicopter providing a presidential backdrop, created moments of significant visual impact. Trump walked confidently across the grass after descending from the helicopter, her aviation-themed outfit perfectly suited to the military setting.
This fashion choice represents part of Trump’s consistent approach to dressing appropriately for specific occasions and venues. Her longtime stylist Hervé Pierre has previously described her preference for tailored suits and sharp lines, noting that she gravitates toward strong tailoring and sleek looks with perfect cuts and minimal fuss.
The Norfolk visit occurred as Trump continues splitting her time between Washington D.C., New York City, and Mar-a-Lago, maintaining what sources describe as a selective approach to public appearances and messaging. Her wardrobe choices consistently communicate power, polish and a carefully controlled aesthetic that has defined her public image.
The first lady’s recent public appearances have showcased her continued attention to fashion details and contextual dressing. Her Top Gun-inspired look followed other notable recent appearances, including wearing multiple show-stopping ensembles during a trip to Windsor Palace, where she sported a bright yellow off-the-shoulder Carolina Herrera gown with a lavender belt for dinner with royalty.
The naval station visit and Trump’s fashion choice garnered significant attention on social media and in fashion circles, with observers noting how her leather bomber jacket, aviators, and USA cap created an authentic military-casual aesthetic that resonated with the venue and occasion.