Jill Biden and Melania Trump’s debate style messages: Reliable favourite vs £2,400 designer suit
The rancour between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joseph Biden may have been the main story to emerge from the first 2020 presidential debate on Tuesday evening, but the first and former second lady sent messages with their style choices without saying a word.
Jill Biden, a career educator, chose a long-sleeved, evergreen satin dress with fringing detail on the front. She’s been photographed in the Gabriela Hearst dress before, having worn it to a fundraising event in New York in October 2017. On Wednesday morning, the designer shared an Instagram post praising Dr Biden for her choice. "What a surprise and honor to see that at last night’s debate Dr Jill Biden repurposed a GH [Gabriela Hearst] dress she wore three years ago," she wrote.
A post shared by Gabriela Hearst (@gabrielahearst) on Sep 30, 2020 at 12:15am PDT
Melania Trump, meanwhile, opted for a black pinstriped suit by Dolce & Gabbana. She wore it with a white button-down shirt and skyscraper stilettos by Christian Louboutin. The suit is available to buy as separates on Luisa Via Roma for £2,395 (though Trump appears to have had the trousers altered to be shorter and more fitted).
The two women’s diverging approaches - reaching for a garment that feels familiar and reassuring, versus seeking the confidence that can come with new clothes - could be viewed as encapsulating at least some of the differences between them.
Mrs Trump has consistently displayed her devotion to a feminine ideal closely linked to immaculate grooming, sleek outfits and high heels with everything. In this case, perhaps she thought it might help to look the part of a polished, competent executive in a moment when her husband is under scrutiny for his financial affairs. (First daughter Ivanka Trump also wore a designer suit, hers a cream-coloured design by Gabriela Hearst. The designer did not endorse Ms Trump's selection.)
As for Jill Biden, selecting an ‘old dress’ for this high-profile event could reflect her desire to keep the focus on the headline issues, rather than her apparel. It could also suggest that she knows what she likes and what suits her, and sees no problem with rewearing - an attitude that chimes with current trends toward more conscious consumption in fashion.
The women were united in one respect: they both wore face masks - a style takeaway viewers of any political persuasion could get behind.
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