The other fashion choices I have addressed don’t have any graphics or words written on them, but this fashion choice does. In June 2018, when former First Lady Melania Trump wore what was described by CNN Politics as “...an army-green jacket with these words written on the back in white: “I really don’t care. Do U?.” she caused quite a stir in the media. This was her outfit of choice to visit children separated from their parents, some of whom were separated from their immigrant parents as part of Trump’s policy at the time. Immediately, when the pictures of her jacket were released the media tried to understand why she would wear something that conveys this message to go visit children in a shelter. Many people on Twitter reacted by releasing different illustrations with the message “We care, don't you?” and condemning Melanie for wearing this outfit for that occasion. One company, Wildfang, made a similar replica to the jacket but instead the back read “I Really Care. Don’t U?” and 100% of the proceeds were donated to Raices. Due to the outfit causing such a stir, Melanie released a statement saying “It was for the people and for the left-wing media who are criticizing me. I want to show them I don't care. You could criticize whatever you want to say. But it will not stop me to do what I feel is right. I often asking myself, if I had not worn that jacket, if I will have so much media coverage. I would prefer they would focus on what I do and on my initiatives than what I wear.". This is one of the few times she has directly addressed her fashion choices and her frustrations are clear. Due to her being a woman in politics her fashion choices are definitely more heavily critiqued and monitored. Wearing this jacket was a bold message to send to the media and she was certainly heard.
Sources:
https://people.com/style/melania-trump-i-really-dont-care-jacket-celebrity-reactions/
https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/13/politics/melania-trump-jacket-i-really-dont-care-do-u/index.html
I absolutely agree that women in politics receive more comments regarding their clothing than men ever will. With this case in particular I understand where Melania is coming from, she was trying to get a point across "Stop worrying about what I wear worry about what I do." I do however think that maybe the timing of the clothing choice was where she went wrong. Visiting children separated from their parents is a sensitive endeavor and the words on the back could be seen as insensitive to anyone there. I feel as if the statement jacket could've been more useful in a setting that was less sensitive.
ReplyDeleteYes, women are often judged for what they wear, especially in the public eye. No it's not okay, but when you wear something like this, you're asking to be judged. This wasn't the correct choice of wardrobe because of where she was, and she should've known not to where something as inconsiderate as "I really don't care, do U" in a place where you're visiting children who have been separated from their parents. To be the First Lady, you should be mindful.
ReplyDeleteI always thought this choice of jacket was a bad move on her part, but I didn't realize she had made a public statement regarding it. While I agree with her on several fronts - women in politics are judged too heavily on their clothing choices, and she has a right to wear something with a message to the public - I still believe this situation was not the right occasion for this jacket. It could raise the question of what her priority really is - helping children or sending a message to the public while doing so. Ultimately, she shouldn't care whether or not she got media coverage for this outing, she should have just been doing it for the act of kindness. However, in this age of media and politics, I'm not sure anyone in politics does anything without considering the public and the media.
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