What Usha Vance's Halloween look says about her—and the MAGA women around her

Halloween was special this year for the Vance family, their first as the Second Family of the United States. For JD Vance, now Vice President, it became a lighthearted political moment as he dressed up as his own viral meme self. His children added charm to the evening: one dressed as a strawberry, another in a cheetah-printed onesie.

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But the understated star of the night was Usha Vance. While her husband’s humor caught headlines, she opted for quiet sophistication. Dressed in the Proenza Schouler White Label Kieran cotton-blend maxi dress, a black gown with subtle white tie-dye seams, paired with a Lululemon Pack It Down jacket, Usha embodied effortless elegance without theatrics.

Fashion as a political statement

In Washington, fashion has never been just about fabric. Every appearance by the Second Lady carries symbolic weight, and Usha Vance’s style choices have already sparked conversation. As the Vice President’s wife in Donald Trump’s second administration, her wardrobe naturally draws scrutiny, but unlike many around her, she doesn’t dress for attention.

From her first day in January 2025, it was clear she didn’t intend to emulate the glossy, pageant-inspired style typical of the Trump-era elite. There were no tight red dresses, elaborate curls, or layers of makeup. She has remained clear about her role, to stand by her husband, allowing him to take the spotlight while offering quiet, steady support in the background.

Breaking the MAGA mold

Figures like Melania Trump, Ivanka Trump, Lara Trump, and Kimberly Guilfoyle have defined a hyper-feminine aesthetic within MAGA culture: think body-hugging silhouettes, bright hues, contoured makeup, and meticulously styled hair. It’s a look that projects power, but also uniformity.

Usha Vance breaks that pattern entirely. Her wardrobe leans toward muted tones, sensible shoes, and minimal jewelry. She wears her greys without apology and rarely hides behind layers of foundation. It’s not indifference, it’s startegical. A deliberate choice to stay out of the spotlight, letting politics unfold on its own without her involvement or response to the narratives shaped by the Trump and Vance administration.

A new kind of SLOTUS

The transition from accomplished lawyer to Second Lady has placed Usha in a space where public image and personal values constantly intersect. Yet she remains grounded. Speaking to The Free Press, she admitted, “I’m not from a particularly wealthy background, not from a very fashion-oriented background personally or professionally,” adding that her reception into this world “has been really positive.”

It’s hard to conjecture whether Usha Vance’s personal style is simply her own preference or a quiet assertion against the ideals of the world she now inhabits. But perhaps that ambiguity is the point.