First Lady Melania Trump and Second Lady Usha Vance embarked on their first official trip together without their husbands, visiting service members at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. The joint appearance on Wednesday afternoon marked a significant moment for the two political spouses, who aimed to show gratitude to military personnel and their families.
A Solo Mission of Gratitude
According to the First Lady's office, the primary objective of the visit was to 'show appreciation for those who serve this holiday season'. The two ladies disembarked from their aircraft at the Marine Corps base, greeted by the brisk North Carolina autumn wind. They are scheduled to participate in various engagements and are set to deliver remarks from an aircraft hangar, as reported by ABC11.
Autumn Style on Display
The two women were dressed appropriately for the fall weather, each showcasing a distinct sartorial choice. Melania Trump, 55, opted for a sophisticated casual look, wearing a pair of brown leather pants and a matching safari-style jacket. The jacket, appearing to be from designer Blazé Milano, featured multiple pockets of varying sizes and distinctive tortoise-shell button detailing. Originally priced at $1,900, the jacket is currently on sale for $950 on Net-a-Porter.
She completed her outfit with chestnut-coloured, heeled Christian Louboutin booties that had buckle detailing on the front, though the heels are no longer available for purchase. Brown aviator-style sunglasses and light-pink nail polish finished the ensemble.
Usha Vance, 39, chose a burgundy-coloured, figure-hugging turtleneck dress with a long, draping tie-belt at the waist. The dress is currently available from Ralph Lauren for $145. The Second Lady accessorised with matching suede burgundy heels, classic black Ray-Ban sunglasses, and a pair of statement earrings.
Context and Previous Appearances
While the exact nature of their relationship away from the public eye remains unclear, Melania and Usha have appeared together on previous occasions. Notably, Usha and her husband, JD Vance, attended a Mother's Day celebration for military mothers hosted by Melania Trump this past spring, an event where President Trump was also present.
This visit to Camp Lejeune comes just one day after Melania Trump joined President Donald Trump in hosting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for an ornate dinner in the White House's East Room. For that event, the First Lady wore a $3,350 strapless emerald gown from Elie Saab, a colour matching the Saudi flag, as her husband announced the elevation of Saudi Arabia to a 'major non-NATO ally'. The Crown Prince's visit was met with controversy, linked to the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and Saudi Arabia's connection to the September 11 terror attacks.
