In a political upset, Melania Trump wears white to her husband’s victory rally

When the historic 2016 presidential campaign came to an end late Tuesday night, the two candidates and their families, friends and political allies were geographically separated by about a mile in New York City. But sartorially speaking, viewers only got to see Republican President-elect and former reality TV star Donald Trump, wearing a blue business suit, white shirt, red tie and American flag pin, joined onstage by his family, including his wife, Melania, who wore a jumpsuit.

In a late-night address, Trump said Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, who didn’t appear on camera during what was anticipated to be her presidential victory event, had conceded the election by phone.

Photographed earlier on Tuesday, Clinton, according to a Women’s Wear Daily report, wore pants and a khaki-colored jacket with taupe insets on its lapels to vote at the Douglas G. Grafflin Elementary School in Chappaqua, N.Y.

The election was largely pegged to be an easy Clinton victory. Clinton supporters encouraged each other on social media to show support on Tuesday by wearing pantsuits, a hot trend for fall and an often-worn style choice for Clinton. Using the hashtag #wearwhitetovote, voters also wore white to polling locations as an homage to the U.S. women’s suffrage movement, which took place early last century.

However, in what might have been an unexpected election night twist, it wasn’t Clinton but instead future first lady Melania Trump who wore the closest thing to a pantsuit. In her case, Trump wore a flattering on-trend look, an ivory jumpsuit.

At Trump’s victory rally in New York, the future first lady was dressed in a one-shoulder silk crepe jumpsuit designed by Ralph Lauren, also a recent favorite designer worn by Clinton. Trump’s Italian-made, drapey jumpsuit with relaxed, wide legs retails for $3,990 on Bergdorf Goodman’s website.

Voting on Tuesday with the president-elect, Melania Trump, a former model who made headlines this election season for her Gucci pussy bow blouse and other designer looks, wore a Balmain jacket over a Michael Kors dress in a similar color scheme as Clinton’s voting day attire.

While global stocks plunged early Wednesday at the prospect of the next U.S. president, there’s a fashion certainty for the country at the moment. Wide-legged pants, jumpsuits and pantsuits for women are here, at least for now, despite any political turmoil or who’s in the White House.

For more musings on all things fashion and style, follow @ARTschorn and @MarquesHarper.

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