Kamala Harris selected a tailored black coat for Donald Trump’s inauguration Monday, while Usha Vance wore a bubblegum pink ensemble. AFP via Getty Images
In keeping with tradition, Vice President Kamala Harris attended President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday following her defeat in November’s election.
Harris chose a tailored black coat while supporting an orderly transfer of power next to husband Douglas Emhoff.
She paired the outerwear with black trousers, black pointed-toe heels, a printed scarf in deep hues and black leather gloves.
Harris’ dark, classic look was in stark contrast to the bubblegum pink attire second lady Usha Vance — who has been married to Vice President JD Vance since 2014 — selected for inauguration day.
The women greeted each outside the White House while their husbands, Doug Emhoff and JD Vance, looked on. AP
Usha has been married to Trump’s second running mate since 2014. REUTERS
Harris, 60, and Emhoff greeted the Vances outside the White House before posing for a photo and making their way inside for the last time.
During her four years as VP (and throughout her own presidential campaign), Harris gravitated toward tailored pantsuits in primarily neutral hues, often by American designers like Joseph Altuzarra, Christian Siriano, Prabal Gurung and Tom Ford.
Her signature accessory? A classic string of pearls — a nod to her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, whose founders are referred to as the “Twenty Pearls.”
The Vances looked glam as they attended the Vice Presidential Dinner at the National Gallery in DC on Sunday. Getty Images
Usha’s black velvet gown was a custom piece by Oscar de la Renta. Getty Images
For President Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021, Harris telegraphed bipartisanship in a purple coat and matching dress by Christopher John Rogers, a black designer born in Baton Rouge, based in New York City and famed for his vibrantly colorful clothes.
That night, she appeared on the “Celebrating America” TV special in a black tuxedo coat and matching sequined cocktail dress by Sergio Hudson, another black American fashion talent (and the designer behind former FLOTUS Michelle Obama’s plum-colored inauguration pantsuit from President Biden’s swearing-in).
“My inspiration always comes from women, from women that I’ve known in my life to iconic women in pop culture,” Hudson told Page Six Style in 2023.
In 2021, Harris was sworn in as vice president wearing a purple coat and matching dress by Christopher John Rogers. AP
Rogers is black NYC-based designer who is known for his vibrantly colorful clothes. AFP via Getty Images
“They’re usually confident, powerful and fabulous.”
Other recent notable looks of Harris’ include the “coconut brown” Chloé suit she wore during the 2024 Democratic National Convention — which seemingly nodded to both former President Barack Obama’s famous tan suit and her viral “coconut tree” speech — and the black sequined LaQuan Smith gown she selected for a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation event in September.
“I wanted something that felt powerful, classic, timeless, yet still progressive,” Smith told us of the latter look last year.
“It’s such a huge moment and it’s such a huge platform for me to be showcased in that way. I’m just super honored. And I think that in support of young businesses, young black designers, American designers and businesses and designers of color, I think that she really did set the tone when it came down to wearing LaQuan Smith. And I think that this really opened up a door for so many others to come.”
Other standout looks at Monday’s inauguration included returning first lady Melania Trump’s matching navy coat and hat and Ivanka Trump’s chic green suit.
