Dress For Success

It all started in Washington with the 1809 inauguration of James Madison.

Tickets cost $4 then. By James Buchanan's time in 1857, thousands of guests were invited, which explained the need for 1,200 quarts of ice cream.

In recent years, inaugural balls include lavish decorations, big-name guests and, of course, those much-talked about wardrobes.

Go to the big parties with the presidents by visiting this photo gallery.