Last night, President Donald Trump delivered an address before the joint session of Congress, gathering political leaders in the House Chamber of Washington’s U.S. Capitol. Among other moments, Trump doubled down on his tariff hikes and cost-cutting agendas, as well as called for an end to the war in Ukraine. “America is back,” Trump declared in his speech. “The American dream is unstoppable, and our country is on the verge of a comeback the likes of which the world has never witnessed, and perhaps will never witness again.”
While the president’s address zeroed in on a bold declaration of American pride, many of the political figures spectating in the crowd chose a more subdued approach to dressing. Echoing President Trump and Vice President JD Vance’s choice of dark suits, First Lady Melania Trump, and Second Lady Usha Vance, and former advisor Ivanka Trump all chose deliberately low-key designs that drew the focus back onto Trump and his impassioned speech.
Photo: Getty Images
First Lady Trump opted for a gray tweed skirt suit by Christian Dior, which featured a scarf-shawl lapel and belted waist. The structured suiting look is in line with the First Lady’s signature style, and echoes the Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo jacket that she wore in her official White House portrait. Her latest Dior jacket retails for $5,500 on Dior’s website.
Her choice to wear a French fashion house could be seen as a confounding choice, given the theme of the night was to champion American businesses. The First Lady, however, often favors designs by Dior; During her first term in office, she wore the label’s white skirt suit to meet Queen Elizabeth II, and also wore a yellow silk Dior evening gown to meet the Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Daughter Ivanka Trump sported a discreet navy skirt suit with floral appliqué work by Oscar de la Renta, one of her most-worn labels for political appearances. Usha Vance, meanwhile, chose a structured cream blazer and pleated trousers. Both Trump and Vance reflected Trump’s approach to keeping a low profile for the address. While some of these figures have dressed with more flair at past political events—like on Inauguration Day, when the First Lady wore a white gown with black trim, made by her stylist Hervé Pierre—there was a clear intention to blend in last night, drawing focus back onto the President and his messaging.
