What Barron Trump, Chelsea Clinton, and Sasha and Malia Obama have in common
The Trump family may not have much in common with the Obamas, but fashion is a great equalizer.
On Sunday, Barron Trump, 11, was spotted boarding Air Force One with his parents, rocking an Obama-era style throwback: A $24.50 bright red J.Crew T-shirt that read, “On your mark Tiger shark.”
Barron has been photographed wearing J-Crew before. In June, on the day he and his mother moved from New York City into the White House, Barron wore a $29.50 gray, J.Crew blue-trimmed T-shirt that read, “The Expert.” The tee promptly sold out in one day, sparking conspiracy theories about its meaning.
Barron had a lavish upbringing (Melania has described him as a “Mini Donald” who is “not a sweatpants child” and who favored suits and ties), but he’s clearly honing his own style in the political eye. So far, that’s consisted of cotton T-shirts, shorts, on occasion Gucci loafers, and a preference for J.Crew attire — a style mainstay of the Obama era.
In 2008, Michelle Obama, then campaigning alongside her husband, the Democratic nominee for president, wore an entirely J.Crew ensemble to appear as a guest on “The Tonight Show.”
When Jay Leno asked Michelle the cost of her on-air outfit — a gold silk blouse, matching skirt and cardigan — in the wake of reports that then-Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin spent $150,000 in one month on clothes and accessories, Michelle answered, “J.Crew. Ladies, we know J. Crew. You can get some good stuff online!”
Although Michelle had her share of designer clothing — Jason Wu, Carolina Herrera, Gucci, Alexander McQueen — she chose to express her down-to-earth personality and her husband’s values through the accessibility of a brand like J.Crew.
Even former president Obama couldn’t resist, attending his inaugural ball wearing a white silk, custom-made bow tie designed by J.Crew, which then-CEO Jenna Lyons called a “validation” for the company in an interview with the New York Times.
Michelle continued to embrace the brand throughout her two terms in the White House, influencing both daughters Sasha and Malia, who wore brightly-colored coats to their father’s inauguration. Malia wore a cobalt blue coat, while Malia’s was in pale pink with an orange sash.
When former president Obama got reelected in 2013, Malia once again opted for J.Crew in a vibrant magenta coat, while Michelle wore a pair of the brand’s purple gloves and a rhinestone sash. The family had become so associated with J.Crew that, in 2013, Lyons decided to retire the sash and purple shade of Malia’s coat. “The lady day coat that Malia was wearing has been in our line for years, and we’ll continue that, but we’ll retire the color,” Lyons told Today. “We won’t do the color again, just out of respect for the First Family.”
While the Obamas were regularly praised for wearing J. Crew, Barron caught flak for choosing the casualwear company.
In a piece titled “It’s High Time Barron Trump Starts Dressing Like He’s In the White House,” published on The Daily Caller, author Ford Springer said, “His dad is always looking dapper and his mom has become a worldwide fashion icon since becoming first lady. The youngest Trump doesn’t have any responsibilities as the president’s son, but the least he could do is dress the part when he steps out in public.”
Chelsea Clinton then took to Twitter to defend the tween.
It's high time the media & everyone leave Barron Trump alone & let him have the private childhood he deserves https://t.co/Wxq51TvgDX
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) August 21, 2017
Fashion really does bring adversaries together…
Read more from Yahoo Style + Beauty:
Amal Clooney turns heads in shimmery green gown for date night
Mariah Carey poses in just a necklace and fishnet tights for ‘Paper’ magazine
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, follow @YahooStyle and @YahooBeauty.
