8. She was one of the first American fashion icons and women across the country copied her styles
Julia was a true fashion icon. Women across America would look to her for the latest trends, most of which she introduced to the country from Europe. But it wasn’t just European fashions that Julia brought to her native land. She was also clearly influenced by the pomp and ceremony of European royalty, ceremonies which she had witnessed first-hand whilst touring the continent. So, for instance, the First Lady would receive guests sat on an elevated throne-like chair and dressed in a fine white gown and even a headdress of peacock feathers.
Alongside her ornate dress, Julia is also reported to have surrounded herself with 12 young women dressed all in white – her own troop of ‘vestal virgins’, like some ancient Greek goddess. Somewhat surprisingly, the public were not put off by Julia’s lavish and ostentatious ways. Indeed, she was, by all accounts, hugely popular. Notably, the Grand Finale Ball she held at the White House towards the very end of her husband’s first and only term as President was the hottest ticket in town; in all, some 3,000 guests crammed into the Presidential mansion, including five foreign ambassadors.