Usha Vance commands attention in stunning gold gown at Trump's state dinner
WASHINGTON, DC: SLOTUS Usha Vance brought a striking dose of glamour to the White House on Thursday, September 24, arriving for the state dinner in a shimmering gold Oscar de la Renta gown.
The second lady joined Vice President JD Vance as President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan in the East Room.
Usha Vance makes a golden entrance
The custom Oscar de la Renta gown was impossible to miss, with gold bugle beads covering its strapless, floor-length silhouette.
The intricate beadwork gave the dress a reflective finish as Usha moved through the formal White House setting.
She allowed the gown to remain the focus of her appearance, pairing it with loose hair, minimal makeup and earrings.
Her choice of Oscar de la Renta also placed her in a label with a long association with high-profile Washington fashion, particularly among women appearing at the White House.
The appearance was also notable because it came only months after Usha and JD Vance welcomed their fourth child, a son, in July.
JD Vance kept his look traditional for the occasion, wearing a black tuxedo with a white shirt and black bow tie.
SLOTUS evolves her style
Usha has increasingly used major public appearances to establish her own fashion identity alongside her role as second lady.
Usha Vance’s style has shifted from polished, relatively understated tailoring to bolder looks designed to stand out at major national events.
Earlier appearances majorly leaned on structured coats, coordinated dresses and restrained accessories, while more recent outings have shown her embracing stronger silhouettes and evening glamour.
Her navy strapless look at the Kennedy Center event in June 2025 brought a more dramatic edge, while her recent gold beaded gown pushed that evolution further with its shimmering finish and floor-length shape.
FLOTUS shines in formal outfit
Usha’s shimmering gold gown was joined by another striking look at the White House dinner.
Melania Trump chose to skip a traditional floor-length evening dress, instead building her look around a crisp black-and-white combination.
Her outfit featured black brocade trousers with a peony motif, teamed with a white cotton-poplin blouse and its oversized bow.
A black silk cummerbund defined the waist, while black heels finished the ensemble.
The mix gave the first lady a polished but distinctly different presence among the evening’s formalwear.
The September 24 gathering brought together President Donald Trump and Melania with Vice President JD Vance and Usha, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan, and several high-profile technology executives at the White House.
