BY LYNNE INOUYE AND SYDNEY WESCHCKE
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF IN TRAINING AND STAFF WRITER
On January 20, 2021, President Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States. While this was a historic moment in many fields, in this article we’ll be talking about one of the subtler aspects of the event: the fashion. There were a lot of big names – both as politicians and celebrities – that were there, and each had their own sense of style.
First off, we have Vice President Kamala Harris, who wore a purple coat and dress to the event, designed by Christopher Johns Rogers. He provided PPE to medical workers and has an independent, black-owned business. In fact, in all of Vice President Harris’s appearances around this time, she showcased different works of various black designers. The color of her outfit holds some significance, too. With Michelle Obama’s outfit at the Inauguration and First Lady Jill Biden wearing it to the COVID memorial service, it could almost be called the signature color of the proceedings. Speculation has suggested that it has to do with President Biden’s theme of unity, or due to the fact that it was one of the colors of the suffragists.
Next, other notable looks included Ella Emhoff, the stepdaughter of Vice President Harris, wearing a Batsheva dress as a nod to her Jewish heritage. The poet Amanda Gorman donned a yellow Prada suit, along with jewelry that Oprah Whitney had given to her as a gift, as well. Despite these iconic looks, though, there was above all one person who took the internet by storm – Bernie Sanders. The viral image of his winter coat and hand-knitted mittens has spread across social media, to the point where he now has official merch. A sweatshirt with the image was selling for $45, the money going to the organization Meals on Wheels in Vermont.
In conclusion, if you’re interested in a way to destress from the political side of things, looking at fashion makes a great distraction. The clothes chosen by these people hold significance and often reflect personal values of theirs, as well. Thanks for reading and stay safe everyone!
Sources:
https://www.vogue.com/article/what-the-inauguration-said-about-american-fashion