What a year, huh? If we had to recap the last 12 months in politics using only one word, that word would likely be turbulent. Or maybe troublesome. Tiring? However, adding a helpful bit of levity and distraction to the lows—and even lower lows—of American political discourse in 2025 were certain striking fashion moments.
What public servants in Washington (and beyond) wear to work is generally pretty intentional. Some, like former first lady Michelle Obama, like to use their platform to support fashion’s new guard of designers. (In 2025, Mrs. Obama wore Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel and Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez’s Loewe shortly after their respective debuts.) Others, like former U.S. Secretary Deb Haaland—one of the most prominent Indigenous people in American politics—tend to spotlight under-the-radar creatives from their own community.
But that only scratches the surface. Read on for our roundup of the most memorable fashion moments in politics this year—from the compelling to the questionable.
Michelle Obama sports designer debuts
In November, former first lady Michelle Obama released a new book, The Look, tracing her style evolution over the years—from pre- to post-White House—and delving into the stories behind some of her most captivating fashion moments.
Naturally, she and Meredith Koop, her stylist and co-author, had to bring their fashion A-game for the book’s press tour, too. While on the road, Obama sported fresh-off-the-runway designs from some of the fall’s buzziest designer debuts. There was the multicolored, draped dress from Loewe’s Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez that she wore to a panel discussion at BAM, and a sleek suit from Chanel’s Matthieu Blazy at a People Inc. event—both signaling Mrs. Obama’s support for designers helping to drive fashion forward.
Rama Duwaji becomes New York’s Gen Z first lady
When Zohran Mamdani won New York’s mayoral election in November, his 28-year-old wife Rama Duwaji, an illustrator and animator, also became the city’s first Gen Z first lady. Mined from small and independent labels, her look at Mamdani’s victory party—a black top from the Palestinian designer Zeid Hijazi with a skirt from New York designer Ulla Johnson—was full of intention. Having also sat front-row at shows like Diotima during New York Fashion Week, Duwaji is clearly all-in on supporting emerging talent.
Melania Trump embraces brimmed hats
First lady Melania Trump kept a relatively low profile this year, making relatively few public appearances. She has, however, marked each outing with a memorable fashion look—often topped off with a large, brimmed chapeau. Mrs. Trump being one of the most-scrutinized figures in Washington, it’s little wonder that she should appreciate an accessory capable of shielding her face altogether.
Deb Haaland and Peggy Flanagan champion Indigenous style
With Indigenous women still vastly underrepresented in the American political arena, figures such as Peggy Flanagan, the lieutenant governor of Minnesota, and former U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland have been careful to highlight their identities and uplift their communities on the national stage. While Haaland has worn traditional ribbon skirts from Indigenous designer Reecreeations for public appearances, Flanagan has chosen contemporary prints from Jamie Okuma, the Native American talent who was a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist this year.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dons a powerful collar at the 2025 Inauguration
For President Trump’s inauguration in January, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wore a collar made of cowrie shells over her traditional black robe, along with a pair of matching earrings. Her look told a story: the shells, once used as currency in a variety of ancient cultures around the world, especially in Africa, are said to signify prosperity and protection.
Conservatives cause a stink about men wearing pink
When J.Crew released a pink men’s sweater online this fall, it instantly courted controversy, with conservative commentators deeming the peppy, preppy knit “emasculating.” (Hmm.) On the spring 2026 menswear runways, however, pink was everywhere—from Dior to Paul Smith.
Kristi Noem and the Rolex controversy
Back in March, Kristi Noem—the current United States Secretary of Homeland Security—visited the Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador, where the Trump administration has sent hundreds of Venezuelan deportees. It was a sobering scene—and yet Noem showed up in the flashiest of accessories: a gold Rolex Cosmograph Daytona watch, worth a staggering $50,000. As many critics argued online, it was the wrong place, wrong time.
Political statements on the runways
Beyond Washington, designers sent clear messages about major social, political, and environmental issues during their runway presentations this year. At Moschino, models’ tees read “SOS—Save Our Sphere” as they carried garbage bag-like accessories (a statement on pollution and global warming, clearly). Elsewhere, Willy Chavarria’s fall 2025 menswear show celebrated Chicano and Latine pride, while Diesel’s graffiti-covered set included a tribute to the trans community.
Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau make their couple debut
Here’s a couple that wasn’t on our 2025 bingo card. Earlier this month, pop superstar Katy Perry and former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau went Instagram-official with their romance after a whirlwind trip to Japan.
Nicole Collier brings PJ-chic to the Texas Capitol
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When hard work calls, sometimes fashion takes a back seat. Case in point: this summer, Texas Democrat Nicole Collier went viral for staying overnight in her state’s Capitol as she faced off against Republican leaders. A photo of her on the House floor, wrapped in a blanket and wearing an eye mask, gave new meaning to the term “sleep of the just.”
