Melania Trump says so little most of the time, fans and critics are driven to divining messages in what she wears.
Now they’re wondering if her July 4 dress was an endorsement of gay pride – or a wet t-shirt contest.
The white-knit-with-colorful-stripes midi frock Trump wore for Donald Trump’s “Salute to America” July 4 extravaganza Thursday night was by Carolina Herrera, the Venezuela-born fashion designer Trump has worn before.
It was sleeveless, off-the-shoulder on her left side and draped with a long-tied bow on the right, with rings of blue, pink, yellow and green narrow stripes dropping from the waist. On her feet: Her usual towering heels in fuchsia pink by her favorite, Christian Louboutin.
Her fashion cheerleaders on Twitter gushed.
“Melania Trump looked absolutely gorgeous yesterday at the 4th of July event at the Lincoln Memorial. FLOTUS wore a white off-the-shoulder knitted midi dress by Carolina Herrera and fuchsia patent leather pumps by Christian Louboutin.
Melania Trump looked absolutely gorgeous yesterday at the 4th of July event at the Lincoln Memorial. FLOTUS wore a white off-the-shoulder knitted midi dress by Carolina Herrera and fuchsia patent leather pumps by Christian Louboutin. #PoweroftheFirstLady [1] #BeBest [2] #IndependenceDay [3] pic.twitter.com/cM028adh6u [4]
— FLOTUS Report (@MELANIAJTRUMP) July 5, 2019 [5]
Other comments from the Twitter peanut gallery wondered if the dress was Trump’s subtle sign of support for LGBTQ people, in contrast to her husband’s administration.
And still others mocked her when some photos of her in the rainy conditions showed a little too much of her bust.
“Interesting. Melania has on a white dress with multicolored stripes. Gay pride? She’s a rebel,” tweeted Glenda Farquart.
Interesting. Melania has on a white dress with multicolored stripes. Gay pride? She's a rebel.
— Glenda Farquart (@GFarquart) July 4, 2019 [6]
“Good to see Melania Trump wearing her gay pride dress today. We are reminded that some people are still fighting for liberty,” tweeted Samantha Adams.
Good to see Melania Trump wearing her gay pride dress today. We are reminded that some people are still fighting for liberty.#TrumpParade [7]#IndependenceDay [3]
— Samantha Adams (@MsSamAdams) July 4, 2019 [8]
“Fashion fail!” sniffed London’s tabloid Express [9]. “Rocking a white Caroline Herrera dress with striped detailing, Melania showed off more than she bargained for, with her nipples showing through the white fabric,” the paper snarked. Tweets followed.
“Rainy enough for Melania to win the wet T shirt contest…embarrassing,” posted Shawna with a down-pointing backhand emoji.
Rainy enough for Melania to win the wet T shirt contest. 👇 embarrassing pic.twitter.com/27qdwhJ4Ib [10]
— Shawna (@katzenschwanzz) July 5, 2019 [11]
For the record I have no problem with what a woman chooses to wear ever, but how does the @GOP [12] lose their minds when Michelle shows her arms, but they have no problem with Melania showing her nipples on a National Holiday?
How is that a thing?— Tom D'Angora (@TomDangora) July 5, 2019 [13]
But some supporters of Trump were dismissive of the alleged gay pride message of her dress:
“OHHHHHHHHHHHHH please. do we have to make everything about being gay? really?,” lamented Sarah David.
OHHHHHHHHHHHHH please. do we have to make everything about being gay? really? https://t.co/rxiOpC4foz [14]
— sarah david (@Sarah_home) July 5, 2019 [15]
And at least one person thought the entire discussion was silly.
“Sometimes I think a dress is just a dress. I don’t believe Melania is homophobic or fighting for gay rights I think she just wanted a cute summer dress,” concluded Erik in Los Angeles.
Sometimes I think a dress is just a dress. I don’t believe Melania is homophobic or fighting for gay rights I think she just wanted a cute summer dress. https://t.co/TxoUu1VhuS [16]
— erik (@erik_losangeles) July 5, 2019 [17]