The Most Expensive Things Usha Vance Has Ever Worn

Since she entered into the world of politics as the second lady of the United States, Usha Vance's style transformation has been a joy to watch. The former lawyer and mother of three has made it abundantly clear that she's not one for frivolous spending and treating the world like her personal runway; she frequently reaches for subdued, appropriate, and practical clothes over the mega-expensive designer garb that she has access to. But that doesn't mean she completely forgoes more lavish fashion when the moment calls for it.

"I've never been really chasing looking like the most fashionable person out there," she revealed on the "Citizen McCain" podcast in June 2025. "I have this text thread of friends that I work with. One of them works in the fashion industry ... she loves picking out outfits and suggesting ideas and she's been a really great help." The SLOTUS told podcast host Meghan McCain that she still tries to "have a pretty small wardrobe and to wear things basically until they wear out," which flies in the face of many a celebrity's fashion ethos. Usha Vance not only repeats outfits, but she typically chooses affordable and accessible brands, including Marie Oliver, Ted Baker, and Favorite Daughter. So when she does go all out in a wildly expensive 'fit, it's all the more special for fashion fans. 

The second lady's most notable expensive outfits were worn at prestigious events that took her to the world stage, including the January 2025 inauguration of Donald Trump. For the multi-event celebration, Usha hopped from designer to designer, including Oscar de la Renta, Reem Acra, and Sergio Hudson. The verdict is in, and she can pull off extravagant gowns just as well as the first lady, even if Usha Vance and Melania Trump's go-to styles couldn't be more different. 

Usha Vance's most iconic look to date also happens to be one of her most expensive. The baby-pink coat she wore to the 2025 inauguration of Donald Trump was a surprising choice for the occasion given its statement color, but this Oscar de la Renta creation likely cost anywhere between $4,000 and $11,000. The cashmere coat was custom, so we don't have an exact price, but the designer's collection of coats gives us a ballpark figure — and it's not cheap.

Sartorially speaking, Usha Vance was on fire during the inaugural festivities in January 2025. Following her elegant pink coat, the SLOTUS got in touch with her inner princess in a Reem Acra metallic gown at the inaugural ball. The strapless sapphire number was embellished with sequins and sheer lace layering, and given that it was another custom design, the exact price isn't widely known. But Reem Acra's more elaborate gowns cost upwards of $8,000, so this was definitely one of the second lady's pricier looks.

Peanut butter and jelly, peas and carrots, Usha Vance and Oscar de la Renta — some things just go together. In January 2025, just ahead of the inauguration, Usha Vance turned to the designer for the swanky Vice Presidential Dinner in Washington, D.C. Her velvet gown featured a modern sweetheart neckline and figure-hugging bodice that made the SLOTUS look like a million dollars. And while the dress might not have cost quite that much, evening gowns on the Oscar de la Renta website do retail for up to $29,000.

For her and JD Vance's trip to India in April 2025, Usha Vance had both hits and misses in her vacation wardrobe. But mostly, she kept it cool in breezy summer outfits that didn't immediately scream "extravagant." However, the Saloni Fleur-F Silk Dress in Hibiscus that she wore when she first set foot in the country was likely more expensive than it looked. Though no longer available from Saloni directly, the dress originally sold on Farfetch for $1,440. That's not quite Oscar de la Renta pricing, but it's not Target, either. 

A few days before the 2025 inauguration, incoming SLOTUS Usha Vance attended a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington Cemetery in Washington D.C, alongside First Lady Melania Trump. The FLOTUS was in chic black Dior, but Usha kept things lighter in a white double-breasted coat by Sergio Hudson. Based on another basic wool coat sold by the designer, Usha's version probably cost more than $2,000, considering the added detail. She paired the look with leather gloves and boots, flawlessly executing the "sophisticated" fashion brief.

Usha Vance's general style leans more subtle, modest, and conservative, so nothing excites us more than when she goes all out for a Cinderella moment. The night before the 2025 inauguration, we got a glimpse of the incoming Reem Acra-level dress code with an incredible dark-purple one-shoulder gown from Gaurav Gupta. With architectural detail and a slow-key yet visible slit, the avant-garde gown might have cost more than $14,000, if the dress prices of Gupta's official website are anything to go by. 

To attend the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in February 2025, Usha Vance stuck with an affordable slate-blue Favorite Daughter silk dress. But her choice of footwear pushed the ensemble up into higher-end territory. The blue suede Romy 60 Pumps from Jimmy Choo were an excellent choice from a style point of view. The design is still available on the official website for those who want to emulate the SLOTUS' style, but this pair of shoes will set you back $895, at the time of writing. 

Usha Vance's 2025 St. Patrick's Day outfit made our list of her most inappropriate looks, given that the teal pants were not quite fitting with the Irish tradition of dressing in pure green. But out of context, the outfit is oh-so-stylish, perfectly summing up Usha's relaxed aesthetic. The Veronica Beard blazer is chic and subtle — you probably wouldn't guess that it's listed for $795 on the designer's website. 

As lavish as some of the second lady's garments are, they look pretty modest next to Melania Trump's most expensive outfits ever.