SUBSCRIBE NEWSLETTERS
ADVERTISE| CLASSIFIEDS| JOBS| E-TRIB
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS NETWORK TRIBLIVE LOCAL
Western Pennsylvania's trusted news source
Style, fashion play at President Biden's inauguration | TribLIVE.com
Election

Style, fashion play at President Biden's inauguration

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop
3447464_web1_3447459-94e6a95a8e5a4ef1b66bf6df115994d1
AP
American poet Amanda Gorman reads her work at the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.
3447464_web1_AP21020630122319
AP
Former Vice President Mike Pence (right) applauds as President Joe Biden embraces first lady Jill Biden after being sworn in as the 46th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts in Washington, as their children Ashley and Hunter watch. Also pictured is Vice President Kamala Harris (center right)
3447464_web1_AP21020639006666
Kamala Harris is sworn in as Vice President by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor as her husband Doug Emhoff holds the Bible during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool)
3447464_web1_AP21020676874734
AP
Lady Gaga arrives to sing the National Anthem during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, Pool)
3447464_web1_AP21020678309795
Caroline Brehman | CQ Roll Call
Jennifer Lopez kisses fiancé Alex Rodriguez after performing during the inauguration of Joe Biden on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 20.

Inauguration Day was a bold and blue day.

The new first lady Jill Biden on Wednesday wore an ocean-blue dress by designer Alexandra O’Neill and matching long coat and gloves as she accompanied her husband, President Joe Biden.

President Biden donned a blue tie and blue suit and overcoat by Ralph Lauren as he was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States.

America’s fashion industry was given a boost of confidence on Inauguration Day, according to CNN.

Jill Biden wore velvet cuffs and a dress embellished with Swarovski crystals and pearls (as well as a matching face mask) designed by Colorado-born designer Alexandra O’Neill of the emerging American label Markarian.

Pops of color were everywhere, specifically with Vice President Kamala Harris’ purple dress suit and black patent leather heels. Harris’ dress and coat were by Christopher John Rogers of Baton Rouge, La. Rogers is one of the most buzzed-about young Black designers working today, having dressed former first lady Michelle Obama, Beyoncé and Rihanna.

Inaugural poet Amanda Gorman sported a bright-yellow Prada coat with a vibrant red head band. Her mask was embellished with silver.

Ahead of her reading, Gorman was gifted a pair of earrings and birdcage ring by celebrity Oprah Winfrey; Gorman wore the ring on her right hand, referencing previous inauguration poet Maya Angelou’s work “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” according to yahoo.com. Winfrey also sent Angelou a gift before her reading at Bill Clinton’s 1993 inauguration.

Gorman was the youngest poet to perform at a presidential inauguration. She read from her work “The Hill We Climb.” Among its signature passages was, “When day comes, we ask ourselves: / Where we can find light / In this never-ending shade?”

As winds whipped during the inauguration, some attendees kept warm with wool mittens and scarves. Others wore heavy coats and boots. Bernie Sanders was spotted in wool mittens given to him by a teacher from Vermont. They were a hit on social media.

The Rev. Silvester Beaman, who delivered the benediction, wore a gray and black multi- design scarf and cool shades.

Michelle Obama, known for an impeccable fashion sense, wore a long, maroon blazer and jump suit. She accessorized with a pair of black gloves. A hint of a blue tie could be seen on former President Obama.

Performers Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez did not disappoint — the former donned a full red skirt and black top by Schiaparelli, while the latter chose a white Chanel pantsuit and ruffle blouse.

Closing the musical numbers was country singer Garth Brooks, who performed “Amazing Grace.” Before he began, Brooks — clad in blue jeans and a big ole’ belt buckle — removed his large black cowboy hat. For the hymn’s last verse, he asked the crowd and people watching at home to sing along.

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.

Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.

Get Ad-Free >

Categories: Editor's Picks | Election | Fashion | Lifestyles | News | Top Stories
Content you may have missed