The United States Presidential Inauguration is a formal gathering that takes place
shortly after each presidential election. It serves as an event where the newly elected
president takes an oath and is sworn into office. Although it’s an important time to listen
to the president’s inauguration speech and hear his ideas for the country, one can’t help
but be distracted by the fashion. It’s like the Met Gala for politicians.
There were many notable styles that morning, but one that took the world by
storm was Melania Trump’s boater-style hat. Paired with a black coat with harsh lines,
Melania’s fashion decisions seem to reflect her personal desires for privacy. This desire
is further proven through the fact that her hat covers her eyes. It shows that Melania
isn’t here to impress anybody, just to protect herself from the press. The hat is also a
callback to Princess Diana, who was known to wear hats often throughout her life in the
spotlight. The hat also proved to produce some difficulty with movement, as Melania
had trouble kissing Trump during the inauguration.
On the opposite end, there was also a more casual look going on during the
inauguration, much to the public’s surprise. Senator Fetterman was seen wearing a
Carhartt hoodie, shorts, and sneakers. Many find this as an offensive stance, as it
suggests a lack of respect for the inauguration. However, Fetterman wasn’t the only
laid-back political figure at the inauguration. Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem
Jeffries was seen wearing sneakers with his suit while Trump was being sworn into
office. Was this meant to be a form of protest? Or did both just wake up late?
There were also fashion statements that meant more than what the naked eye
sees. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was seen wearing a necklace filled
with cowrie shells, replacing where the traditional judicial collar would’ve been. But this
necklace isn’t just for decoration, it’s also a symbolic way to communicate Jackson’s
stance on certain political issues. As it turns out, cowrie shells were actually once used
as currency for various African countries. This can be connected to slavery as well as
slavery resistance. Cowrie shells also can symbolize womanhood, which can nod to
Jackson’s vote to protect abortion rights. With all these representations, Jackson’s
necklace proved to be both beautiful and political.
Lauren Sanchez, fiancée to Jeff Bezos, was caught in an internet controversy
because of what she chose to wear to the inauguration. She is seen wearing a white
pantsuit over a lacy top, which many deemed to be too inappropriate for a formal event
such as the inauguration. The pantsuit is also recognized as being reminiscent of one of
Hillary Clinton’s outfits that she wore in 2017. Which, obviously, produced some
controversy, as Clinton was Trump’s rival back in the 2016 election. That, along with the
racy lacy top, combines to create an angry response for Sancez’s outfit.
As a way to promote unity in a subtle way, Jill Biden, the former First Lady, was
wearing a chic and royal purple Ralph Lauren coat. But how does a simple purple coat
symbolize coming together as a country? Artists will be pleased to find out it’s all about
color theory. Blue and red are the colors that make purple, and blue and red also
symbolize the two political parties of the United States. Red represents the Republican
party and blue represents the Democratic party. Jill effortlessly preaches unity with her
purple coat, mixing both political parties.
While many believe that fashion shouldn’t be one of the focuses of the
Presidential Inauguration, it’s actually an important subject that can help determine a
political figure’s beliefs and values. It helps us see deeper into the picture. So, next time
there’s a political event, make sure to not neglect what the people are wearing. Their
outfits can say more than their words ever could.
