Brigitte Macron and Queen Mathilde of Belgium Do the Black Dress Two Different Ways

Last night, French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron continued on their official state visit to Belgium, where they attended a dinner with King Philippe of Belgium and Queen Mathilde of Belgium at the Royal Castle in Laeken. Given the formal nature of the evening, both Brigitte and Queen Mathilde chose classic black gowns that lent a certain quiet elegance to the soirée—but this isn’t a case of fashion déjà vu. Both of them maintained distinctive takes on the everlasting piece, choosing finishing touches that spoke to their individual style codes.

For the dinner, Macron wore a custom long-sleeved gown by Louis Vuitton, the French fashion label she so often wears. With its sequinned collar and waistband, the evening style had just the right amount of glitz while remaining appropriate for the setting. She accessorized with a simple black clutch and pointy pumps. Meanwhile, Queen Mathilde opted for an off-the-shoulder silhouette that was nipped at the waist, her long-sleeved gown overlaid by a royal red sash pinned at the side. She finished the ensemble with a satin clutch in burgundy, as well as a sparkling tiara—also one of her signatures—and earrings that were indeed fit for royalty.