AP ImagesMelania Trump was roasted for wearing stilettos.Melania Trump has a hurricane style routine — and it’s a deft political play from the first lady.
On Tuesday, she once again was spotted in stiletto heels as she boarded a plane to a hurricane-devastated region.
In August, the first lady was mocked for wearing sky-high stilettos as she headed to Texas following Hurricane Harvey; on Tuesday, she wore another pair of stilettos as she boarded the plane heading to Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria.
When Trump landed in Puerto Rico, she had changed out of her stilettos into a pair of Timberland work boots.
She was wearing an outfit distinctly similar to the one she wore to Texas (and Florida, following Hurricane Irma): stylish, form-fitting jeans and a baseball cap.
AP ImagesTrump in Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico following hurricanes.Some people — mostly on the left — had snarky comments about Trump’s outfit (specifically, her shoe choice) on Tuesday.
“Much the way her ‘flood heels’ left many feeling she was out of touch with the difficulties Texans were facing after Harvey, her white jeans may reiterate she’s not here to get dirty,” Cara Kelly wrote in USA Today. “These are photo op pants”
However, many others — especially supporters of President Trump — saw the backlash against Melania Trump as yet another sign of how out-of-touch the “liberal elite” and media are.
As first lady, Trump’s fashion choices are deliberate and strategic. She is very aware of the message she is sending — typically, one of aspirational luxury.
When the first lady wore stilettos heading to Puerto Rico on Tuesday, she must have known that people would react. However, left-leaning criticism wasn’t necessarily a concern — proving she could rise above backlash with a wink to supporters was more important.
And, many people saw the shoes as sending exactly that message.
Wearing stilettos in a hurricane-devastated region would be difficult for even President Trump’s supporters to encourage. However, by wearing high heels while heading to impacted areas, then switching into a stylish but more practical uniform, the first creates a win-win scenario.
Even if there is some backlash to her high-heeled fashion, the backlash is then engulfed by people set on defending the Trump administration. These defenders have plenty of ammunition thanks to the more hurricane-ready looks she dons once her plane actually lands.
Fashion is political for the first lady — and it looks like Melania Trump has figured out how to give her base what they want.
Oh @MELANIATRUMP hope you don’t get blisters from those new work boots- are they steel toed or from the new Michael Kors collection
— Truthseeker (@joycedigi) October 3, 2017
Melania & Trump arrived in Puerto Rico… WHY Did Melania need to change outfits, ? This is not a modelling show,,
— M. Smile : ) (@Marose111) October 3, 2017
Here we go again… Not sure Melania Trump is prepared for her visit to Puerto Rico pic.twitter.com/4Ynd21SQLt
— Elliot Wagland (@elliotwagland) October 3, 2017
Here we go again.
Libtards mocking Melania Trump over her wearing Timberland boots while assisting in Puerto Rico. pic.twitter.com/9M848J9sKF
— GRANT J. KIDNEY ???????? (@GrantJKidney) October 4, 2017
The left: Melania wore stilettos to board a plane! Texas is doomed!
Also the left: Melania wore work boots to PR. Keep screaming!
Ahhh! pic.twitter.com/T4jYoEwgPv
— ????????JmyNAMEisJILL (@JmyNAMEisJILL) October 3, 2017
The same people who criticised Melania Trump for wearing stilettos now criticise her for wearing Timberland boots. ????
— Steve (@Steveonomics) October 4, 2017
She is mocked for being naked, wearing shoes… Do you get the idea that this is a NO WIN GAME that MSM is playing? https://t.co/HcdwniBG0r
— Dave Jones (@mdj17) October 4, 2017
Melania Trump just made an epic move, and liberals are going to be livid… again. https://t.co/1LJcK99yTa
— Conservative 50 (@Conservative_50) October 4, 2017
I like to dream that Melania chooses her ensembles just to piss off liberals. https://t.co/crGCSwpSZk
— SueBee ???????? (@theonlysuebee) October 4, 2017
@FLOTUS Hi Melania, just a polite compliment; people + media mock at you when you dress nice, then when you dress down, etc etc. You are a good looking woman whom uses style how you feel. Don’t change whom you are. What is it they want, for you to dress like Hilary? Ummm, no !!
— GIANNI S. (@Gianni_Sharks19) October 4, 2017
I agree. Melania and her grace is so underrated. I wish media and more in America would not be so cruel.
— TrumpNolaMom (@pedsscrub) October 4, 2017
I bet Melania wore work boots just to prove it’s all about emotionally immature liberals, not her shoes.
She’s all “Challenge accepted.” pic.twitter.com/q0Xz8xhc08
— ????????JmyNAMEisJILL (@JmyNAMEisJILL) October 4, 2017
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