American First Lady Jill Biden delivered a clear message with her fashion choice at a rally Friday morning in North Carolina while voters, pundits, and critics from both political parties dissect every word and gesture from Thursday night’s debate between President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump.
Jill Biden dressed in navy blue silk crepe attire with cropped sleeves, featuring the word “vote” in white lettering, designed by New York City-based designer Christian Siriano. The message was boldly visible to TV cameras, videographers, and photographers at the rally held at Raleigh’s fairgrounds, as well as to viewers and social media followers. Jill and her husband arrived at Raleigh-Durham International Airport on Air Force One at 2 a.m. Friday.
Some media members and Democratic Party members suggested he might consider bowing out, retiring, or being replaced in response to the president’s poor debate performance. However, the president had a different message for supporters in Raleigh, stating, “Folks, I don’t walk as easily as I used to. I don’t speak as smoothly as I used to. I don’t debate as well as I used to, but… I know how to tell the truth. I know right from wrong, and I know how to do this job. I know, like millions of Americans know, when you get knocked down, you get back up.”
Jill’s “VOTE” dress conveyed a call to action. Siriano, known for his “Project Runway” days and his social media reach, emphasized this message with a statement Friday afternoon: “Dr. Biden wearing my dress sends a clear message to us all. A vote for Biden is a vote for human and civil rights. As a young American brand and designer, what we can do is give our clothes a voice, and I hope this speaks to you. Now let’s get to work!”
2022 recorded that there were 161.4 million registered voters in the U.S.
Shoppers can partially replicate the first lady’s look. A puff-sleeve version of the “VOTE” dress is available on Siriano’s e-commerce site for $3,800. Siriano’s designs have been worn by celebrities such as Cynthia Erivo, Cardi B, Coco Rocha, Lizzo, Jennifer Lopez, Ariana Grande, and Oprah Winfrey.
FLOTUS’ wardrobe choice for the rally was more pronounced than the tonal periwinkle pantsuit she wore to Thursday’s 90-minute debate in Atlanta. Her ensemble was highlighted in a viral video showing her praising her husband’s debate performance and assisting him off the stage.
Melania Trump’s go-to stylist, Herve Pierre, had Thursday night off, as Jill chose not to attend the historic debate between Joe Biden’s sitting president and former president Donald Trump. The debate, held in CNN’s home city, gathered 51.2 million TV viewers based on preliminary Nielsen numbers.
The Bidens will be in New York over the weekend, with Jill Biden set to deliver remarks at a political finance event in New York City. The first couple is also expected to attend a fundraiser for the president’s re-election campaign Saturday night in East Hampton.
