The fashion of the inauguration: From Gaga's Hunger Games moment to Michelle's power pants. / AP / NBC
Outgoing First Lady Melania Trump has had her final Air Force One outfit torn apart by savage social media users who described her orange dress as resembling a "70s kitchen".
She flew for the final time on the aircraft alongside outgoing president husband Donald Trump from the White House to Florida where the couple will begin their new life.
While on board, Melania opted to change out of her designer Chanel jacket and black sunglasses that she teamed with a $60,000 black crocodile Hermes Birkin bag, and slipped into a bright patterned kaftan-style dress that some described as "headache-inducing".
The long-sleeve Gucci maxi dress reportedly costs $5290 and has a small split, giving a glimpse of Melania's leg.
She finished the look with her signature dark sunnies – though her pricey handbag was nowhere in sight.
Outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. Photo / Getty Images
Social media users appeared to show no mercy critiquing the unusual dress, mocking the outfit on Twitter.
"Wondering if Melania ripped off the shower curtain at the White House to make this?" one person commented.
"I know I shouldn't comment on another woman's attire but that dress Melania changed into, pretty sure my Nan had deckchairs in that material in the 70s," another said. "Looks like she stole the curtains from the White House. Hideous," someone else declared.
Not everyone hated it though, with some stating she looked "genuinely happy" and that she looked as if "vacation mode was on".
Earlier, Melania had been seen holding Trump's hand as they exited the White House. The pair arrived at Joint Base Andrews to a military salute and cheers from supporters.
Trump's daughter Ivanka and other members of his inner circle sat in the front row, where Ivanka was spotted crying.
"Thank you very much and we love you," Trump said, thanking his family, staff "and so many other people".
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump acknowledge waiting supporters at Joint Base Andrews. Photo / Getty Images
"People have no idea how hard this family worked, and they worked for you," Trump said in his opening remarks.
"It's been something very special, we've accomplished a lot," he said, adding that his wife was a woman of "great dignity" and "so popular with the people".
"Honey, would you like to say a few words?" Trump asked.
Taking off her black glasses to speak to the crowd, Melania Trump said being First Lady was "the greatest honour".
"Thank you for your love and your support.
"You will be in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you all. God bless your families. And God bless this beautiful nation. Thank you."
Members of the Trump family have largely ignored the criticism hurled at them on social media during the final day in their roles within the administration.
Melania Trump was copping heat online. According to CNN, she had an assistant write her thank you notes to White House staff, "who have cared for her and her family for the last four years", the publication wrote.
Trump says Melania Trump is “so popular with the people.”
She leaves the presidency as the most unpopular first lady ever in polling history. Melania Trump's favorable rating stands at 42% to a 47% unfavorable rating. https://t.co/YLkKplYfcb
"The 80 or so staff who received the typewritten notes were under the assumption the First Lady had written them herself.
"Instead, Trump tasked a lower-level East Wing staffer with writing them 'in her voice' and she signed her name.
And earlier, she scored the worst popularity rating for any first lady at the end of her first term in a CNN poll.
Melania spent her final hours in the White House with the outgoing president and "only a few aides", PBS journalist Yamiche Alcindor said, citing sources.
