What better day to return to my roots as a reflector extraordinaire and reporter of political fashionistas than Caterday?
It’s been 10 days and some 40+ Executive Orders since the swearing in of the most dubiously elected president in American history. So I thought I’d do a fashion review of the event.
After a 4 year hiatus of political fashion coverage due to TDS, the pent up demand for cool Washington clothes coverage was yuge. The fashion press obliged, in fact they came unhinged in their unctuous coverage of the ladies of the inaugural. They began with their favorite old work horse, Lady M. I must say I quite liked her ensemble, aside from the length of well, everything.
I’d like to think that the color and fabric choices indicated she had learned a thing or two from me butt her stylist is taking all the credit:
Former first lady Michelle Obama is still earning praise for her headline-making inauguration look and now her stylist has given a behind-the-scenes account of her outfit.
Meredith Koop, who worked with Obama during her eight years in the White House, took to Instagram to share details of the former first lady's monochrome pants, coat and top designed by Sergio Hudson, a 36-year-old Black designer from South Carolina…
The magenta shade of Obama's suit was seen by some as a nod to bipartisanship but(t) Koop said that was not the case. "You can call it berry, wine, plum or burgundy. I’m calling it wineberry plum for the moment. What it wasn’t was bi-partisan purple," she wrote. "That’s a cute story, but(t) it wasn’t the intention.
Here’s something else that was cute: while sporting her lovely magenta ensemble, Lady M goes into her best Clydesdale impersonation. She never disappoints!
Picture the Buttweiser Clydesdales and try to not LOL
The Harper’s Bazarr coverage was likewise properly overwrought:
A proper show: A symbolic, patriotic parade of well-tailored coats, eggplant hues (a color to symbolizes [sic] unity), monochromatic ensembles, and, most affectingly, the reemergence of the kind of thoughtful styling choices that lift up and celebrate emerging American design talent.
That’s the important part: symbolism! And diversity! In fashion! I mean, who ever heard of queer, black fashionistas before?
Seeing the VP in Christopher John Rogers, a young, Black, queer designer from Louisiana, gave those who are from marginalized pockets within the fashion industry an “I see you” nod just when we needed it most. Wearing a tailored coat and matching dress in a bold shade of purple, accessorizing with her signature pearls (these strands made by Puerto Rican designer Wilfredo Rosado) and heels by another Black designer, Sergio Hudson, Harris elevated these emerging designers to center stage. [ed. and that’s what’s most important for a VP to do]
Too bad it was so ill-fitting. Some unsolicited advice from the former MOTUS: women of a certain age and boobage ought not sport this pinched waist style coat unless they have a very good tailor who gets the cut right. And did anyone else notice that, unconventionally, Kammie’s coat buTToned to the left? I have a theory butt that’s another post.
You see, at its best, fashion is a reflection of what is happening in the greater world around us. We’re living through a highly divided time, still reckoning with a social justice movement that’s calling for an end to brutality against Black and Brown citizens, demanding justice for those in the LGBTQAI community, and at the very least, looking for to a (sic) return to common decency. The clothing choices of Harris and Biden help illuminate the path the administration hopes to carve out.
You don’t say. Have you got any more virtue-signaling fashion news you’d care to pass on?
For the inaugural prayer service in the State Dining Room of the White House, Harris wore Prabal Gurung, a Nepal-born, New York–based designer; while Biden wore Brandon Maxwell, a queer, Texas-born designer.
And let’s not forget how they fawned over Dr. Jilly’s getup. It wasn’t just a dress and coat you know, Town and Country informs us:
In a press release, Markarian explained that the outfit was made in various shades of blue velvet, blue tweed, silk, and chiffon in order to "signify trust, confidence, and stability."
It wasn't just the design's color that communicated a self-consciously staid, even-keeled control. The tweed set recalled the fashions of a previous political era—a simple, dependable look that's served the Queen of England for decades.
I don’t know as though I want a Queen. Wasn’t our Declaration of Independence and Constitution intended to ensure against such things? And now, nearly 250 years later we wind up with a mad King and a handful of Queens anyway.
What a hot mess.
Butt, gosh, I’m glad to see that the fashion press has got their mojo back. Follow me for more fashion insights from the media.
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