Fascists Aren't Fashionable
Why you shouldn't care about the Trump's fashion
“Resistance both challenges and fuels fashion. Dress is most useful as a tool to keep resistance alive, to maintain cultural identity in the face of oppression, and to inspire people towards a new dawn.” - Tansy E. Hoskins
Resources are linked at the end of the article.
Vogue magazine’s recent Instagram post features Ivanka Trump in a custom Givenchy dress, an homage to none other than Audrey Hepburn. You know, Audrey Hepburn — the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, tireless child’s rights activist, the person who resisted the Nazi regime as a child. To honor Ivanka Trump with this shallow tribute is a slap in the face to the legacies of Hubert de Givenchy and Audrey Hepburn. The Vogue article includes direct quotes from a White House representative about how “honored” Trump was to wear the dress, and the article itself keeps it vague, noting that “…her nod to upbeat Hollywood glamour, on [a] stage that holds so much weight for Americans, felt misguided.” (Allaire).
Courtesy of Getty Images
Dress is a powerful form of non-verbal communication, specifically in the world of American politics. Donald Trump is most often seen in a crimson-colored tie, representing his allegiance to the Republican party while the Bidens predominantly wore blue. During Trump’s first term, Melania Trump infamously wore a $39 Zara jacket with the words “I REALLY DON’T CARE. DO U?” boldly printed on the back. Might I add that she wore this while visiting a children’s detention center in Texas? She shot back at the critics by clarifying that the message was directed at the left-wing media, duh. And on Inauguration Day, the Trumps and Vances were dressed to the nines. Thousand-dollar gowns, tuxedos, and diamonds adorned their skin as they paraded around in their palace.
Over the next four years, I expect to see more fashion magazines critiquing the fashion of the Trumps. I understand that ignoring these oligarchs does not erase their presence, but why must we platform them further? Surely there are stronger words than “misguided” to criticize them, while still being professional.
It is an oxymoron for a fascist (because that is what this administration is full of) to be “fashionable.” Fashion is an authentic, human expression. It is an intimate connection, a vessel of communication. Fashion is also political, sociological, and economic. It is a dynamic force, not a stagnant machine. So why can’t a fascist be fashionable? Fashion inherently relies on the act of care — care for oneself, the Earth, animals, and the human race. And I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the Trumps do not care about you, even if you voted for them. They won’t care when you can’t make rent or afford groceries, they won’t care when the effects of climate change inevitably reach you, and they won’t care when you or your loved one’s rights are violently stripped away. If you bleed out in a parking lot because you can’t get an abortion or you can’t afford to go to the hospital, they won’t give a shit.
If the Trumps don’t care about you, don’t care about them. Care about the policies they enact and the political decisions they make, but don’t care whether or not Melania’s sweater is cashmere or wool, if Donald’s red tie is more of a brick or ruby shade. As an industry, we must be steadfast against their violent reign. We cannot report on them and their fashion choices in isolation of all their other acts.
Donald Trump is a government official, a public servant. His job is to serve us, the people. “Vote with your dollar” is a phrase circulated during election season especially but the point stands year-round. Don’t read articles that discuss the Trumps’ fashion in anything but a negative or critical light — GQ, Vogue, InStyle, even if it’s your favorite fashion magazine, just don’t give them the attention. Don’t buy that dress simply because you saw Melania wearing it, I guarantee you can find something better. The sentiment that fashion is political is not exclusive to elected officials and the 1%. Do your unhoused neighbors have enough clothing to keep them warm during winter? Who made that t-shirt you’re wearing and under what conditions? What are your friends and family wearing in their day-to-day lives? These are all fashion concerns as much as political. These people will undoubtedly use fashion as a tool to humanize themselves and to leverage their positions in the public eye. If JD Vance is seen wearing a pair of Levi’s, it does not mean he is your pal, your friendly Vice President who you can grab a beer with. He is a racist, misogynistic, all-around piece of garbage who does not deserve your attention or sympathy.
The fashion industry is a multi-billion dollar industry that has power and influence, as does the individual. Use your money and your mind intentionally. Fascism is here and we can fight it, no matter how hard they try to keep us down. And no matter how much they try to convince you, always remember that fascists can’t be fashionable.
Resources (in no particular order):
Very disappointed in Vogue for platforming them at all.
Yes! Thank you - it was mind-boggling seeing so many articles come up about their dresses and the neutrality of the language used when referring to literal fascists. This piece was so needed