Florida's First Lady Faces Fashion Backlash Over Formal Attire
Casey DeSantis, the wife of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, has become the centre of a sartorial storm. Her recent appearances at high-profile events in formal ball gowns and opera-length gloves have drawn comparisons to former First Lady Jackie Kennedy, but not in the way she might have hoped. Critics on social media have been quick to label her attempts at emulating the iconic style as an 'epic fail'.
One particularly scathing comment read, 'Casey DeSantis wants to be the next Jackie O, but she's just Jackie No.' Others questioned her choice of ultra-formal wear for events where the audience was dressed casually, with one observer noting she appeared to be 'the ambitious one in that marriage'.
The Glove-Wearing 'Sins' Highlighted by Experts
The critique has focused sharply on Mrs DeSantis's accessory choices, particularly her gloves. Fashion enthusiasts have pointed out specific errors in her styling. According to style consultant Jo Hayes of EtiquetteExpert.org, gloves are elegant when worn correctly but can look jarring when the rules are broken.
Hayes outlined two key mistakes often seen: wearing daytime gloves that extend past the wrist, and pairing black gloves with light-coloured dresses. She explained the basic principle: 'The shorter the sleeve, the longer the glove.' For a strapless gown, an opera-length glove is appropriate, whereas longer sleeves call for a shorter glove.
Specific instances have drawn widespread online criticism. At the Florida Heroes Reception in late March 2025, DeSantis wore a rose-pink dress with black, elbow-length gloves, a combination deemed a colour clash. Earlier, at the 2023 State of the State address, she wore the same dress with white satin elbow-length gloves amidst a sea of business-casual attire, leading many to call the look 'absurd' and like a 'costume'.
A Lesson in Style Timing and Coordination
While Hayes acknowledged that DeSantis has 'hit the mark' on some occasions, such as at her husband's 2023 inauguration, the missteps have been glaring. The expert emphasised that glove colour should either match or harmonise with the dress, with classic white or beige being safe choices, and the fabric should be appropriate for the occasion.
The underlying sentiment from critics is that the 45-year-old First Lady is trying too hard to capture a bygone era of relevance and sophistication. The attempt to channel Jackie Kennedy's timeless elegance has, in their view, resulted in a series of noticeable fashion faux pas, turning her style statements into a topic of mockery rather than admiration.
