Sarah Huckabee Sanders' Inappropriate Campaign Outfit Will Always Haunt Her
It's always a shame when public figures fumble a dress code, but this outfit from Sarah Huckabee Sanders took her beauty mistakes to a new level of unforgivable. Let's set the stage: On October 4, 2022, during a major campaign event, Sanders was inching closer than ever to becoming the youngest and first female governor of Arkansas. What she wore should've reflected that achievement. Instead, she showed up in an outfit that no public figure — or anyone, really — should wear to a professional event. Then, on December 6, 2022, after officially making history, she wore it again.
It's one thing to wear a bad outfit. It's another to wear an inappropriate one while walking a path that's largely untrodden in the history of women in politics. And Sanders did it twice. The dress was tiered, ruffled, and candy-striped in blue and white, which made it more fitting for a baby shower than a political event. Its exaggerated sleeves overwhelmed her frame, the hemline was questionably short for the formality of the event, and the silhouette had no structure or intention.
Sanders gave the final blow by pairing the 'fit with slouchy brown boots that clashed with the already chaotic dress. The result was an outfit that felt like a last-minute pick from the clearance rack of a couple different stores. There was no cohesion, no tailoring, and no polish, just a puzzling mix on days that demanded poise. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has had her fair share of inappropriate outfits, but this will always haunt her because she chose two of the most significant days of her career to drop the ball.
Social media users tore into Sarah Huckabee Sanders for her inappropriate dress
Between the weight of the moment and the internet's thirst for a takedown, it was inevitable that Sarah Huckabee Sanders would get absolutely flamed for her outfit. From hilarious comparisons to well-meaning think pieces and downright unacceptable body-shaming, the governor-elect got it all. One Instagram user gave it to her straight: "Clothing a governor should never wear, check!" Another pointed out that it made her look square, and the dress sadly does cut an unflattering silhouette (and would on anyone, not just her). The exaggerated sleeves broaden her upper frame, while the high waist and short hem take away from her natural proportions.
Sanders could certainly have done with our tips on how to pick the right dress shape for your body type or, at the very least, how to choose a dress that's suitable for a formal event. On X, one user compared her to Raggedy Ann, while another drew similarities to Wendy from the fast-food chain of the same name. The words were different, but the consensus was the same: A historic win deserved a historic look, and this was not it.