Review | The inauguration as a fashion runway

The wardrobe choices at the 2021 presidential inauguration ceremony were impeccable, both in visual style and in deeper meaning. Unsplash

While many watched the Jan. 20 inauguration solely to see the part where President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were sworn in, I laid in bed all day and watched the whole damn thing. I had my family group chat pulled up and my mother on speed dial.

Sure, we discussed the main events of the day, but most importantly we pointed out who was wearing what designer. I was living vicariously through those outfits, as I have been wearing sweatpants for an entire year.

Here is a discussion of the best ensembles from the day. 

Coming in hot at number one would be Amanda Gorman, inaugural poet. Dressed head to toe in Prada, she became my graduation fit inspiration (and yes, I will wear that over Zoom if I must). While most were rocking monochrome, Gorman looked absolutely stunning in bright primary colors, the yellow a dedication to First Lady Jill Biden. She simply glowed, even more so when she started reading her poem, “The Hill We Climb.” 

Of course, Harris isn’t far behind, because her look simply made me emotional. Wearing a purple dress and matching coat created by Louisiana designer Christopher John Rodgers, she exuded power and confidence. But let’s be honest, she didn’t need a suit to achieve that. 

Next, swooping into the inauguration ceremony in outfits that could cut glass, Biden’s granddaughters rolled up in striking monochrome looks. They looked like the fairies Flora, Fauna and Merryweather from Sleeping Beauty, if Aurora was a member of Gen Z. And while the focus seemed to be on the coordinated trio, Maisy Biden was rocking her own standalone look, wearing a navy suit and Air Jordan 1 Mid "Sisterhood" sneakers. Even as the family changed into cocktail dresses for the “Celebrating America” event at the Lincoln Memorial that evening, Maisy’s sneaker look remained, as she paired a Rodarte dress with a pair of Nikes.

Continuing with the trend of the politicians’ children, Ella Emhoff, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff’s daughter, donned a beautiful, collared, houndstooth-bedazzled Miu Miu coat with an elegant burgundy Batsheva Hay dress underneath. She knows what she’s doing when it comes to fashion, being a student at the Parsons School of Design in New York City, and was also just signed to the modeling agency IMG among the likes of the Hadid sisters and Amanda Gorman. 

Of course, former First Lady Michelle Obama and former President Barack Obama strolled into the crowd looking chic as ever — Michelle in a deep purple coat by Sergio Hudson while boasting an effortless hairstyle and Barack in a sleek black coat. How Michelle’s hair defies the laws of gravity in a perfect flip is one of life’s great mysteries to behold.  

And last but certainly not least, First Lady Jill Biden was adorned in a shimmery teal Markarian piece, reminiscent of a Queen Elizabeth number. I know, a bold statement. Even her wardrobe change for the firework ceremony was an adorable favorite: an ivory coat and dress by Gabriela Hearst, adorned with embroidery that represented every state flower. 

All in all, I could write an entire English paper on the amount of symbolism in the inauguration apparel. Visual appeal aside, every outfit seemed to send a message. The rainbow of purple hues and monochrome presented a message of unity, as purple symbolizes bipartisanship, while purple and white are also colors representing the women’s suffrage movement. American designers dominated the inauguration style and many Black designers took center stage with their designs. 

Let’s hope these symbols manifest themselves past the elegant ensembles and into unifying a divided country for the next four years.