President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address before the joint session of Congress was an all-out Republican pitch for tariffs, governmental restructuring, restricting immigration and shaping foreign policy. And the visual backdrop was also multilayered as some Democratic members of Congress wore clothing that literally spelled out their opposition to certain policies before they walked out during Trump’s speech. Other attendees exhibited more subtle fashion cues that flagged different types of loyalties.
In making his case for the “Renewal of the American Dream,” Trump wore a dark navy blue suit, a white buttoned-down shirt and a red and blue handmade Italian silk tie. POTUS wore the same Italo Ferretti tie to his second swearing-in ceremony in January. The Fashion Institute of Technology’s Summer Lee, whose upcoming book is “Presidential Fashion: An Illustrated History,” speculated that the tie “perhaps signaled a deliberate attempt to project unity.”
Italo Ferretti’s chief executive officer Carlo Ferretti said he had “the pleasure” of showing Trump his collection, during Trump’s first presidential election campaign. The $227 tie is a new style from Italo Ferretti’s “Presidential” collection. Silvia Di Liso, who oversees the company’s online business, described Trump “as a loyal customer of Italo Ferretti ties, who appreciates the uniqueness and craftsmanship of our products.”
Vice President JD Vance and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) applaud as U.S. President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol.
Getty Images
During what is now the longest presidential address before a joint session of Congress at 140 minutes, several legislators made their attendance known by their actions and attire. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-N.M.) led a group of female legislators in criticizing Trump’s stance in women’s rights by wearing apparel in varying shades of pink. Before attendees entered the House chamber, she and her supporters rallied outside and spoke of the importance of women’s rights.
Standing before a podium that was imprinted with “Trump Betrays Women for Billionaire Tax Cuts,” they wore blazers, skirts, pantsuits and other garments in hot pink, pale pink, Millennial pink, Barbie pink and salmon. Rep. Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii) wore a bubble gum-colored pink blazer with cursive black writing of excerpts from the U.S. Constitution.
U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) and Rep. Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii) listen as U.S. President Donald Trump delivers his remarks.
Getty Images
But FIT’s Lee said, “Although constituents will surely note how their representatives signaled their dissent and causes that are important to them, there is also a discernible reaction on social media that simply wearing a certain color or ribbon is not going to bring about real change.”
Early on in Trump’s speech, Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) was escorted out of the House Chamber after disrupting Trump’s speech by shouting and shaking his cane in the air. Other members of his party, including Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Mo.), took it upon themselves to walk out during Trump’s remarks. Before exiting, she removed her jacket to reveal a black T-shirt imprinted with “Resist” in white letters. Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) removed his blazer to show a T-shirt layered over his white buttoned-down shirt that read “No Kings Live Here.”
Rep. Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii) holds a protest sign with fellow Democrats as U.S. President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress.
Getty Images
Like Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other members of the president’s inner circle — Elon Musk — had dressed up for the occasion. Musk turned up in a blue suit, white shirt and skinny tie, having ditched the baseball cap and T-shirt that he routinely wears to the White House. First Lady Melania Trump also followed an all-business dress code, choosing a dark caviar gray belted jacket and pencil skirt from Dior. The Maria Grazia Chiuri-designed ensemble has a belted jacket with a subtle scarf-like effect and a pencil skirt.
First Lady Melania Trump in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol.
AFP via Getty Images
FLOTUS’ stylist Hervé Pierre described the first lady’s suit Tuesday night “as a nice way to mix business and femininity. It’s appropriate for the occasion.”
The Slovenian-born former model also wore the European luxury label for a few key events during the inaugural weekend earlier this year. And the Trumps need no introduction to Bernard Arnault, chairman and chief executive officer of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, who attended Trump’s inauguration with his wife Hélène, his daughter Delphine and son Alexandre. Delphine Arnault is chairman and CEO of Dior and is also a member of LVMH‘s board of directors and executive committee.
Some legislators signaled support of Ukraine on Tuesday night by wearing scarves, shirts, jackets, ribbons or striped neckties in blue and yellow — the colors featured in the country’s national flag.
