Bernie’s mittens, Ella’s diamond coat and plenty of purple: inauguration wardrobe hits
While youth poet laureate Amanda Gorman stole the ceremony for her reading, there was hot competition today for has won the sartorial crown.
A momentous, historic day bringing hope and marking the dawn of a new era in America’s history was welcomed in today as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were sworn in to run the country.
But forget about grand parades, rousing speeches and official business, what were they wearing?!
Bernie Sanders look: The pose. The mittens. The social distance
Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders is known for going against the grain and Joe Biden’s inauguration ceremony was no different. In a sea of wool-mix dark dress coats Sanders unapologetically sported a pair of huge woollen mittens to keep the cold out. The natty, knitted number was spotted by many on social media including British MP Zarah Sultana.
Buzzfeed journalist Ruby Cramer even tracked down the sweet story behind the mittens too. Having been given to Sen. Sanders by Jen Ellis, a teacher from Essex Junction, Vermont. She gave them to him over two years ago and was shocked to see him wearing them on the campaign trail. The homemade mittens are made from repurposed wool sweaters and are lined with a fleece made from recycled plastic bottles.
And the coat was made famous when Sanders was running in the primaries last year. A now famous video where the Senator can be seen walking through the snow asking for financial donations; “I am once again asking for your financial support.” Soon the phrase “I am once again asking…”quickly became a meme.
Ella Emhoff: diamond encrusted Miu Miu
Kamala Harris’ 21 year old Stepdaughter Ella Emhoff, a design student who calls Kamala “Momala” stunned at the ceremony wearing a plaid Miu Miu coat with embellished shoulders and a large embroidered white collar and a Batsheva dress underneath.
Natalie Biden: “style icon”
Joe and Jill Biden’s 16 year old granddaughter created some runway buzz with her monochromatic pink coat and matching mask among a sea of purple and blue shades worn by the other. Natalie is the eldest child of Joe Biden’s late son Beau and his widow Hallie.
Peaceful purple for the wonder women of Washington
Three of the most important women in American modern politics at the ceremony, Vice President Kamala Harris, former FLOTUS Michelle Obama and former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton all wore shades of purple today at the inauguration of Joe Biden.
A mix of blue and red, purple is commonly seen as a bipartisan colour, signifying unity and power sharing. It is also traditionally the colour of women’s suffrage in the US alongside gold and white.
Purple would come to stand for loyalty, white for purity and gold for hope. White dresses also were cheaper and stood out in contrast to crowds of men wearing dark suits.
According to CNN’s Abby Phillip Kamala Harris’ purple coat and suit specifically is a nod to Shirley Chisholm, a black woman who ran for president in 1972 and has inspired Harris’ political career.
Gaga Hunger Games: hidden message about storming of Capitol?
And finally, Twitter has been lighting up with comments and speculation on Lady Gaga’s brooch, which resembles a giant version of the Mockingjay pin worn by the Hunger Games protagonist Katniss Everdeen, played by Jennifer Lawrence in the films.
Some have even suggested a significance behind the similarity. In the dystopic Hunger Games, the violent “fight to the death” Games are a punishment for the districts after they attacked the Capital.
Gaga the Grammy winner, who performed the national anthem at the ceremony at the Capitol building, rocked custom Schiaparelli Haute Coutur; a fitted jacket of navy cashmere and a red silk faille skirt. The famous gilded dove of peace brooch was designed by Daniel Roseberry.