Dissecting the Fashions at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner

Last night, the 2024 White House Correspondents’ Dinner took place in Washington. D.C.—one of the political landscape’s most high-profile affairs of the year. In addition to President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, and VP Kamala Harris attending the event—which raises funds for the WHCA, an organization of journalists that covers the White House—A-list stars such as Scarlett Johansson, Da Vine Joy Randolph, and Keri Russell all walked the red carpet as well.

Judging by the night’s sea of glitzy gowns and sleek tuxedos on the step and repeat, one could have easily mistaken the dinner for a star-studded Hollywood premiere or the upcoming Met Gala—not a political fundraising function. Once dubbed the “nerd prom,” over the years, the fashions and glamour at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner have ramped up—transforming the event from a more intimate, pragmatic function to a more formal (and black-tie!) affair.

It makes sense that such an occasion would become more high-profile—and more high-stakes. As it becomes increasingly more difficult for White House journalists to do their jobs, and as the nation’s political landscape appears more divided than ever, the annual event has become a sobering necessity to highlight the importance of balanced journalism—and has begun to attract a much wider and influential crowd as a result, and those attending treating the sartorial demands of the night with a newfound sense of seriousness and respect.

Some of the night’s standout moments? VP Harris wore a sequined black Celine dress with a sheer neckline that was high-wattage and elegant yet subdued. Scarlett Johansson and husband Colin Jost, who hosted the evening, both wore classic Giorgio Armani looks. New couple Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris even made their red carpet debut in complementary Harbison ensembles.

It’s not to say the night didn’t have a few bolder fashion statements as well. Democratic senator John Fetterman, for one, divided the Internet when he arrived in a Carhartt hoodie printed with a bowtie on it; His casual ensemble, complete with gym shorts and sneakers, proved to be a more tongue-in-cheek approach to dressing up. Guests like Questlove also opted for a paint-splattered blazer. Slowly, the dinner is becoming as much of a fashion spectacle as an awards season gala. Oscars, who?

Below, see more of the standout looks from the 2024 White House Correspondents’ Dinner.