The Hits And Misses Of Usha Vance's Travel Wardrobe

Before the election thrust her into the political spotlight, we were curious as to the style story Usha Vance would write. Would she go ultra-glam like Melania Trump, or take the practical-power approach like Kamala Harris ? Turns out both her in-office and travel fashion sit somewhere in between. Between Usha Vance's best outfits so far and others that have us scratching our heads, the second lady's 'fits aren't exactly predictable, beyond the fact that she is typically minimalistic. 

In April 2025, Usha, JD Vance, and their three children traveled across India and Italy. While JD stuck to his usual uniform of unremarkable suits on the working trip, Usha's wardrobe was filled with travel looks that swung from vacation chic to misfires that just didn't work for the occasion. To be fair, very few of Usha's travel outfits were a "not suitable for any occasion" level of bad. Others would have worked if she were in Washington rather than jet-setting (where practicality is a must), and some of her 'fits were absolutely gorgeous. From the sundresses to the two-pieces, here are the hits and misses of Usha's travel fashion.

We often say that sundresses are one of the types of dresses that every woman should own, and the striped blue-and-white number Usha Vance wore to visit the Taj Mahal in India only supports our belief. The soft stripes were perfect for summer, and the dress flattered her frame without trying too hard. Her floral earrings, too, added just the right amount of detail without overwhelming the look. The only drawback was the loafers. While they certainly looked comfortable (and comfort is half the point of travel fashion), they were a little too dull for such a breezy dress. Ballet flats or even strappy sandals would have tied the whole look together. 

Travel fashion should feel fresh, be easy, and look good. This ash-and-black dress Usha Vance wore to a Good Friday liturgy in Vatican City ticked none of these boxes. Even though this was a church setting, the dark palette and muddled pattern aged Usha unnecessarily. The sleeve length didn't help and dragged the whole look into matronly territory. Usually, JD Vance fades into the background next to her, but this time, his simple suit actually looked sharper than Usha's choice.

We're absolutely in love with the vibrant floral skirt, which is clearly the star of this look that Usha Vance wore while departing India. It's exactly the kind of energy you want while jet-setting. Usha wisely paired it with a white top, which kept the outfit from looking uncoordinated. Normally, we'd knock a collared blouse and kitten heels as too-formal-for-the-tarmac wear, but given that she was meeting Indian officials, it struck the right balance. She blended diplomacy with ease and gave us a silent TED Talk on how to serve "travel chic" while still keeping it professional.

We don't have a full view of this outfit on Usha Vance in New Delhi, India, but what's visible tells us enough. It's a blouse-and-skirt combo that's cinched at the waist and flowy at the bottom. It's flattering and structured, if a bit boring, but this wasn't a formal dinner — it was an airport tarmac. The photo itself is gorgeous, and the moonlit setting gives Usha a night-princess glow, but it still misses the jet-setter mark.

If we were ranking Usha Vance's best travel outfits, this red number would definitely be high up there. It was bold without being loud and instantly gave us bougie energy. The cut of the bodice kept it sharp, while the fitted waist and flowy hem were elegant. It's a silhouette we don't usually see from Usha, but the switch-up worked beautifully for her arrival in New Delhi, India. Usha's chosen accessories were also 10 out of 10. The heels made the outfit classy, and the white jacket draped over her arm was a smart move — white is one of the best colors to balance out a red outfit without competing. 

Most of the "misses" on this list aren't because Usha Vance looked bad, but because the outfits felt out of place for travel-wear, and this is another example. In India, she wore a three-quarter-sleeve white shirt with a patterned A-line skirt. The combo itself was fine, but particularly the longer sleeves leaned more office-casual than getaway-ready, even on a working vacation. The only piece with a hint of "jet-setter" in it was the wide-brim hat, which worked beautifully against the sun. Everything else felt stiff and buttoned-up. This 'fit was not a disaster, but it was a mismatch.