Staff at a Washington D.C. clothing outlet popular with prominent Republican figures have expressed significant discomfort and moral conflict over serving some of their most famous clients, according to a new report.
Internal Conflict in the Dressing Room
An employee at the brand Tuckernuck told The Daily Beast that workers in the capital are engaged in a "constant back and forth" when dealing with certain customers. The brand has become a favoured label for high-profile conservatives, including White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Second Lady Usha Vance.
"For me and others in D.C., it is kind of a constant back and forth, sharing a space with these people," the anonymous staff member stated. They emphasised the professional tension, adding, "it’s not appropriate when you’re serving these people to address what you’re kind of thinking in your head. We all have to keep the lights on somehow."
A Direct Critique of the Press Secretary
The employee singled out Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt for particular criticism. "I have a hard time, you know, with Karoline [Leavitt]," they confessed. The staffer elaborated on their personal dilemma, stating Leavitt's "day-to-day is very much against my morals and values."
The report notes that both Leavitt and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have been seen shopping at Tuckernuck's Washington store. Leavitt notably wore the brand's Black Metallic Bouclé Mini Dress in April. Meanwhile, Usha Vance chose a Tuckernuck Black Jacquard Puff Sleeve Midi Darcy Dress for her meeting with Pope Leo XIV in May.
The Apolitical Brand Caught in Political Crossfire
Tuckernuck's rise as a conservative favourite was highlighted by Axios in October. Its red 'Jackie' dress went viral in 2024 and became a frequent sight at that year's Republican National Convention. The trend sparked commentary on social media, with White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly posting a sighting on 15 July 2024, and Capitol Hill reporter Victoria Knight joking about the dress's "chokehold" on Capitol Hill staffers in a post liked over 1,000 times.
Despite its partisan patronage, Tuckernuck's co-founder, Madeline Grayson, insists the brand remains staunchly apolitical. In her October interview, she asserted, "We're obviously not at all a political brand. People [of] all ages, all political affiliations, all parts of the country are wearing [the Jackie] dress."
The revelations from staff, however, underscore the complex reality for retail workers in a deeply polarised city, where serving customers can sometimes conflict with personal convictions. The Independent has contacted representatives for Leavitt, Noem, Vance, and Tuckernuck for comment.
