The day started with women posting photos of themselves wearing pantsuits to the polls in support of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. And it ended with a sea of Republican president-elect Donald Trump’s red “Make America Great Again” baseball hats.
When Trump took the stage at the Hilton in New York City to give his victory speech at 3 a.m. on Wednesday morning, the symbolism was clear: The macho signifier of sports stars and frat boys had won.
Early in the evening, two “Make America Great Again” hats were placed prominently in glass trophy cases on either side of the stage, the way a retired ball player might display a prized cap as a memory of what once was or could have been.
But the electorate had other plans.
Throughout the campaign, #MAGA hats have been embraced by women, too, and many women voted for Trump and helped him get to 270. Earlier in the day Tuesday, actor and Trump supporter Scott Baio posted a selfie with his wife Renee Baio, who was wearing a red-white-and-blue version, with a stiff brim and crown that made it look more like one of those trucker’s caps that Von Dutch popularized in the early 2000s.
Vote. @MrsScottBaio @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/OEAptJq1dS
— Scott Baio (@ScottBaio) November 8, 2016
At the victory event, the wave of Republican red hats said it all: The deal was sealed.
Onstage, Trump wore a suit and red tie to match his red-capped supporters, and pledged to bring the country together. Appearing next to his 10-year-old son, Barron, wearing a tone-on-tone white shirt and tie, and Vice President-elect Mike Pence, who was in a blue tie, the three men represented the new, old establishment lined up in red, white and blue.
“We owe her a debt of gratitude,” Trump said graciously of Hillary Clinton. “I look very much forward to being your president.”
The nation’s new first lady, Melania Trump, wore a Ralph Lauren all-white, one-shoulder jumpsuit with asymmetrical draped front, dazzling the crowd like one of Trump’s beauty pageant contestants. She looked stunning.
Lauren, an American designer, had been Clinton’s go-to for pantsuits throughout the campaign, while Melania Trump has worn mostly European labels, including Roksanda Ilincic, Gucci and Balmain. As first lady, the pressure could be on her to wear American designers and support their businesses, though many of those designers vocally supported Clinton during the campaign.
Ralph Lauren’s Margerie jumpsuit sells for $3,999 at Saks Fifth Avenue. And before you go accusing her of stealing Clinton’s favorite designer, remember that Melania Trump already wore Ralph Lauren for one high-profile campaign event — a pussy bow jumpsuit for the final debate.
Ivanka Trump wore a periwinkle dress for victory night, I’m guessing from her own fashion label, which should get a serious shot in the arm after the presidential win. It was similar in hue to her half-sister Tiffany Trump’s, as if they planned it, like two bridesmaids. Maybe an Ivanka Trump wedding collection will be next.
