On January 20th, 2021, Joseph R. Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States of America. In many ways, this inauguration was like many before it – a ritual displaying America’s trademark democracy and peaceful transition of power. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were no crowds at the inauguration, no parades, and no ball afterwards. However, even with these negative aspects, the time-honored tradition managed to make history in a positive way: the gorgeous fashion pieces showcased by those who were in attendance. 

Lady Gaga, who sang the National Anthem, wore a navy blue and deep red couture gown. Her ensemble featured a large brooch of a pigeon holding an olive branch symbolizing peace amidst diversity. In fact, harmony was a large trend among many outfits that day. Purple – a combination of the democrats’ blue and republicans’ red – was also a common color choice to demonstrate unity and bipartisanship. Some notable styles involving this gorgeous color were Vice President Kamala Harris’s berry dress and coat, former First Lady Michelle Obama’s aubergine pant suit, former First Lady Laura Bush’s periwinkle skirt suit, and former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton’s electric violet pant suit. Both Harris and Obama made more subtle statements with their pieces, which were both sustainably created by American Black designers. 

Dr. Jill Biden took part in the purple trend the night before the inauguration with a head to toe violet outife, but at the event itself she wore a perfectly tailored aqua dress and coat. At night, after the inauguration she continued to spread a much needed message of unity with a white coat that had every American state’s flower embroidered onto it. 

Even though the fashion statements at this inauguration were breathtaking, they should not denote the true historic factor of the day: the United States finally caught up to the world in diplomatic equality by swearing in Kamala Devi Harris as the first ever Black, Asian, and female Vice President. Her hard earned victory ushers in a new era of feminism and equal rights. 

By: Lauren Grae’23, Staff Writer