By Annie Holmquist, Guest Columnist

What famous people wear is always the talk of the town, a fact Second Lady Usha Vance is likely beginning to learn. As she recently noted on X, the New York Times published an entire article on the political significance of the coral-colored dress she wore while filming a Father’s Day reading session with her husband Vice President JD Vance.

But Usha Vance went a step further, showing her savvy shopping skills by also dropping a photo of her receipt for the outfit on X. Not only was the dress from the average, middle-America store Old Navy, a place where those on a budget can easily shop, but it was also on sale, reduced to $12.49 from an original price of $50.

To top it off, as I saw someone note in a chat group, she used a coupon, lowering her final payment with a promo code discount of $3.74.

If anyone doubted it, Vance just showed that she’s a true woman, for a true woman will love a dress all the more for the steal of a deal she got on it!

Second Lady Usha Vance @SLOTUS

Now that we know the political significance of my $8.75 coral maternity dress from Old Navy, can’t wait to hear what the New York Times has to say about my elastic-waistband pants and compression socks! In the meantime, enjoy my pregnancy fashion (or lack thereof) and a good

Second Lady Usha Vance @SLOTUS

And here’s the receipt!

Vance’s bargain shopping, while likely a slap in the face for all the elites at the New York Times, is a refreshing hat tip to those of us in the trenches. It also reflects the wisdom of well-known fashion expert Edith Head, who wrote the following in her book “How to Dress for Success”:

“For the woman with a limited budget who cannot afford a completely new wardrobe every year … If you simply can’t resist the urge to have something very, very new-looking, something entirely different, something really far out—indulge yourself with an inexpensive version, knowing that its life will be a short one. Better by far to make this purchase a dress because the investment involved in a coat or a suit will be greater, and a higher price tag calls for at least several season’s wear.”

Today’s leaders in Washington tell us that in order to maintain the status quo, we must throw billions at entitlement programs or prop up some social justice cause. Usha Vance, however, shows us that it’s still okay and even admirable to pinch pennies and make a dollar stretch as far as possible.

Today’s social media influencers often hawk name brand handbags or insinuate that we must follow popular trends in order to be important and noticed. Usha Vance, however, tells us that sometimes it’s the simplest fashion from the most practical brands which make us look the nicest.

And finally, today’s culture subtly tells us that our own comfort is more important than how we present ourselves, and thus it’s okay to dress like a slob for places such as work, church, and other outings. Yet Usha Vance shows us that presenting ourselves with class, dignity, and grace – even when it might not be the most physically comfortable – is important and helps further the message we want to send to others, whether verbally or nonverbally.

So next time we’re out shopping, let’s remember the quiet wisdom of Usha Vance. There’s no shame in choosing practical, budget-friendly fashion – particularly if that fashion presents us and the ideas we value most with class and grace.

This article is republished with permission from The Fred & Rheta Skelton Center for Cultural Renewal.

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