Ivanka Trump Outfits That Totally Missed The Mark
Long before she became the First Daughter in 2017, Ivanka Trump had already fancied herself a fashionista — so much so that like her father Donald, she launched a clothing line with her name on it. The brand shut its doors in 2018, but even before then, it wasn't exactly universally-loved. According to a piece published in Racked in 2017, the clothes were "overpriced, poorly constructed, and unflattering on anyone who doesn't share Ivanka Trump's exact body type."
Notwithstanding the brand's issues with inclusivity, the former First Daughter herself is still regarded in the style world. There are entire Instagram accounts dedicated to following her OOTDs (outfits-of-the-day), as well as articles chronicling her style journey. While it would be unfair to say that Ivanka has never once worn an outfit and made it work, it's very fair to say that she's not exactly in the running to be the next Princess Diana in her clothing choices. But of all the looks she's tried to make happen, some really stand out as inappropriate, mind-boggling, obtuse, and straight-up wrong.
When she matched migrant children wrapped in thermal blankets
Back in January 2017, shortly after it came to light that the Trump administration had enacted such staunch immigration policies that children of migrants were being held in detention centers, Ivanka posted a photo of herself in route to the Alfalfa Club dinner. The problem? The nearly $5,000 Carolina Herrera metallic dress she wore a little too closely resembled the thermal blankets that the aforementioned children were wrapping themselves in to stay warm. Needless to say, Trump was dragged for the post and dress choice on X, but she never deleted the photo, nor addressed the matter.
When she decided to channel Serena Joy Waterford
Following Donald Trump's election to office, many vocalized concerns that the administration's platform would the U.S. into a patriarchal society like that of Gilead, in the Hulu series "The Handmaid's Tale." The Trump administration responsible for the overturning of Roe v. Wade. With that in mind, many people found it eerie that Ivanka showed up to her dad's signing of a technology bill in December 2020 dressed exactly like the villain Serena Joy Waterford from the series. "Ivanka in Gilead Green" wrote one user on X next to a side-by-side of Trump and the fictional antagonist. "Her stylist needs to be given a medal."
Serena from the Handmaid's Tale on the left. How Ivanka Trump dressed to visit Bucks County PA today. This is a clear cry for help. pic.twitter.com/3hrHz2CY78
— Benjamin Young Savage (ᐱᓐᒋᐱᓐ) (@benjancewicz) September 14, 2020
When she didn't understand the assignment
Proof that Ivanka believes rules are made for everyone else came in the form of a $17,000 Carolina Herrera baby blue gown that she wore to a state banquet hosted by Queen Elizabeth II in June 2019. Sure, the dress had a hefty price tag, but considering the event was black tie, the choice was inappropriately casual — it had a collar and three-quarter-length sleeves. It was basically a souped-up shirt dress that you'd find at the Gap. (Apologies to Carolina Herrera!)
When she personified the saying 'tax the rich'
Continuing the trend of dressing in appropriately for the event, in 2018, Trump rolled into an event with working-class parents rocking Chanel shoes (and a Chanel bag too!) and a $2,110 Emilia Wickstead dress. According to Yahoo Finance, in 2021, the median net worth of the working class was just over $61,000, which is roughly $1173 a week. In other words, between the dress and the accessories, the people Ivanka spoke to that day would have to work almost two full months to be able to afford her look — if not more. Not exactly a good message to send!
When she dressed like a toddler for the G-20 summit
As the saying goes, "there's a time and a place for everything," and bows at the 2017 G-20 conference is neither the time nor the place. Despite having no business being there, Ivanka weaseled her way into the G-20 conference and sat herself next to, of all people, Christine Lagarde, who happens to be the President of the European Central Bank. Naturally, the pale pink dress with sleeves adorned with very large bows didn't go over well, with many people citing her outfit a bit silly for such an important event. When she returned to the summit in 2019, she skipped the bows, but still completely missed the mark.