I’m not usually one to scrutinize or pick apart fashion choices from women in power — at least not in the form of a column.
No headline bothers me more than a headline about the first lady’s fashion choices rather than her political or philanthropic choices. All too often, media outlets focus on the fashion and homemaking that makes the wife of the president, instead of her individual attributes as a political, powerful figure.
Hailey Stewart | Argonaut
One of the only things people have been able to focus on is Melania’s style. With little time spent in the spotlight and very few talking points, the only aspect of her life that isn’t a complete mystery is her fashion choices.
However, clothing is an expression. A single item, whether it be a pair of shoes, a necklace or a jacket, can say so much — even if we don’t mean for them to.
In late June, Melania Trump wore a jacket donning the words, “I really don’t care, do you?” printed across her back. It didn’t go over well.
But, there is a great deal of context to the situation — some that make complete sense and some that just doesn’t.
A photo was taken of the first lady while she boarded a plane, preparing to visit the border where children were being held separate from their parents. On this trip, the often-elusive Melania used the trip as a way to help ease America’s concern over possible child abuse happening at the border.
Once that photo hit the internet, Melania became the base of each and every joke, political cartoon and meme on June 21.
On first glance, it would seem that Melania and her stylists had just made a misstep in dressing the first lady in a $39 Zara brand jacket, white jeans and sneakers — a comfortable outfit for a day of walking and greeting. But the masses wouldn’t just let the first lady down that easy.
Turn to the internet and you can find countless interpretations about the true meaning of her jacket. On any woman walking down the street, that jacket would have been a stylish piece of clothing. On the woman married to one of the most powerful, boisterous leaders on the planet, the jacket means something — it means a lot.
People all over the country began protesting the jacket and Melania’s display of not giving a single carre. Some decided it was her ambivalence toward the injustices at the border, and others decided it was her disdain for being the first lady all around. President Donald Trump said her jacket referred to no longer caring about the “Fake News Media.” It was a stretch.
No matter what version people sided with, there was a much larger conversation at play: “Who cares if Melania really doesn’t care, we really do care.” And, that’s what people — especially women — did. They made shirt with the words “I really do care” and shared that sentiment on social media platforms across the world. A $39 jacket inspired thousands, even if its original intent is both pretty cynical and still confusing.
If headlines are going to focus on Melania’s clothing, they may as well produce conversation other than negative comments.
Hailey Stewart can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @Hailey_ann97