Mamie Eisenhower was known for both her glamour and her down-to-earth Midwestern disposition. She was born in Iowa and attended an elite finishing school with every intention of living the comfortable life of a society girl. When she fell in love with a very poor army second lieutenant named Dwight, all these plans changed. She became an army wife and moved all over the world to be with her husband. After years of hardship for the young couple, Mamie was ready to settle down, and she finally got her chance—in the White House! She was a hit with the public from the very beginning.
Mamie’s style and charisma were, in fact, quite influential during the course of Dwight D. Eisenhower’s campaign. She became an overnight sensation and made many appearances at his rallies. She even had her own campaign buttons! The moment she stepped out in her inaugural gown was the icing on the cake for Mamie. Her now-famous pink peau de soie gown sparkled with over 2,000 rhinestones embroidered on it. Formal photographs of the gown and its matching accessories were even published in the newspapers.
After adjusting to life as First Lady, Mamie virtually disappeared from the political sphere. Her health was poor, and like many First Ladies before her, she fully considered the politics to belong to her husband only. She once remarked that her husband runs the country and she only turns the lamb chops (O’Brien 215). If that’s any indication, however, her hostess duties were never neglected. She would throw lavish parties and shake hands with thousands of friends and visitors to the White House.
Her lack of political involvement didn’t stop the American people’s adoration for her, however. She was continually named to “best-dressed” lists in magazines and newspapers. The pale pink shade she was known for skyrocketed in popularity in the 1950s—and not just for clothes but for things like kitchen appliances too! Further, her hairstyle was famous enough that similar bangs were known as “Mamie bangs” (Dewhirst). All in all, Mamie Eisenhower gained an excellent reputation as a caring wife and mother and an American fashion icon.
The First Ladies of Fashion 