US first lady Melania Trump wore a jacket with the words, “I really don’t care, do u?”, written on the back as she boarded a flight to visit migrant children who have been separated from their parents in America’s immigration crisis.
It’s already been touted as the biggest fashion blunder of the year, or any year, and it’s ugly on basically ever possible level.
That's just weird. THIS is the jacket you choose to wear while media are recording your every move? How is it NOT to be interpreted as a hidden message? Bizarre. https://t.co/Sx48oqOBuZ
— Lynda Steele (@steeletalk) June 21, 2018
And while it might be tempting to brand this an act of sheer ignorance or a poorly timed fashion faux pas, here’s why Melania’s cringe-worthy coat choice matters.
As a First Lady, there’s no way Melania would choose her clothes by accident. She’s well aware the press will be ready and waiting to snap her picture on any public outing.
Moreover, it’s not the first time Melania has landed in hot water about her outfit choice. Remember that time she wore a $70,000 Dolce & Gabbana jacket to the G7 First Ladies meeting? Or when she wore stilettos to visit hurricane victims?
Melania and her advisors have consistently failed to read the room.
Melania. Is. Wearing. Six. Inch. Stiletto. Heels. To. Visit. A. Disaster. Zone.
These. People. Just….These. People. https://t.co/g6d4zGqWZU
— emigre80 (@emigre80) August 29, 2017
Her spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham has said the ‘don’t care’ jacket was not designed to send a message.
“It’s a jacket. There was no hidden message.”
But surely, Melania and her spokeswoman should’ve learnt from ‘stiletto-gate’ that Melania will face scrutiny and it’s even more important that they get things right.
That means avoiding attire which is blatantly inappropriate and/or made in a glorified sweatshop.
Melania’s jacket was by fast-fashion brand Zara, which is renowned for its unethical practices. Just last year, shoppers found ‘pleas for help’ from Zara factory workers sewn into clothing. This makes the whole thing feel even more icky.
And Melania might not care, but we sure do. Twitter has erupted with a ton of jacket alternatives and memes:
I made a shirt. I care. Go to https://t.co/cRPvC1n831 to see what you can do to help. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/hty7Yc44K9
— Busy Philipps (@BusyPhilipps) June 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/ParkerMolloy/status/1009894851792515072
— darth™ (@darth) June 21, 2018
ok i am into this jacket pic.twitter.com/ZJdx4hwIsG
— Sara Yasin ?? (@sarayasin) June 21, 2018
Trump was quick to come to Melania’s defence and, of course, blame the fake news media.
“I REALLY DON’T CARE, DO U?” written on the back of Melania’s jacket, refers to the Fake News Media. Melania has learned how dishonest they are, and she truly no longer cares!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 21, 2018
So it wasn’t a message at all, but it was also a deliberate message to the media. Got it.