Melania Trump’s Unusual Fashion Move Could Signal a Different Approach to Her Political Career

Melania Trump has been largely absent from Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. When she does make an appearance, it is a solo one. While insiders continually defend the couple’s marriage, it’s the fashion we are looking at because the former first lady made an unusual style move at the Monday, July 8 political fundraiser for the Log Cabin Republicans. 

Photos, which can be seen here, captured Melania wearing a form-fitting red Valentino dress. She accessorized the look with sky-high red stiletto heels and styled her hair in a classic Manhattan blowout. The outfit was perfect for a GOP event with its signature color since she was the star of the event. However, she decided to wear something from her closet that’s already been seen before at a White House event over seven years ago.

Melania decided to dust off her $4,000 dress for a second time after wearing it in April 2017 for Chinese President Xi Jinping visit to Mar-a-Lago when Donald Trump was president. On that day, she scaled back the glamour for the daytime event with floral print heels to give it a more casual look. It was one of the rare times Melania has chosen to re-wear an item from her haute-couture closet — and it may signal a turn in how she plans on approaching a possible second term as a first lady if Donald Trump wins. 

Even though there are rumors that she plans to be a “part-time” Washington, D.C. resident if her husband is elected, her choice to re-wear items in her wardrobe could signal a greater sensitivity to how the nation is feeling during the challenging economic times. Jill Biden and Michelle Obama are well known for recycling and repurposing their favorite fashions, and even Kate Middleton has been conscientious about this hot topic. If Melania continues to reuse her wardrobe, it would be a huge pivot from the fashion strategy she and designer Hervé Pierre created at the start of Donald Trump’s presidency. 

“I go to Bergdorf, I go to Saks, Michael Kors, Dior. What is challenging is when I cannot say what it is for,” he told The New York Times in 2017. “I always ask: ‘Was it already on the red carpet? Did somebody already wear it?’ Because I don’t want her to be on the ‘Who Wore It Better’ list.” Could Melania be turning over a new fashion leaf? It’s hard to predict because her presidential campaign events are so limited, but perhaps her upcoming Republican National Convention wardrobe will give people a clue.

Before you go, click here to see all of our favorite photos of celebrity women rocking suits on the red carpet: