So Long, Pink Pussy Hats — This Time, The Resistance Looks More Somber At Inauguration
HuffPost
Sartorially speaking, it’s no wonder that we have no energy left for spectacle dressing. Take a look at what people wore for Trump's second inauguration.
Today, a good friend who works in the federal government lamented having to report to his new boss with Donald Trump’s inauguration. “There just seems like less of a resistance this go-around,” he said.
I beg to differ; though at first glance, it may appear that way. Through the lens of fashion, the gaze of social media, and the merchandise that brands are putting forward for consumption, we can analyze a collective mood.
There are key differences between dissident dressing in 2017 and 2025, and parsing them provides insight into the collective consciousness of Americans over the past eight years and where we’re at today.
In 2017, dissident dressing was loud — a spectacle meant to grab attention and signify outrage. In 2025, dissident dressing is giving Depression Era, but that’s not because people are any less outraged.
Before we dive into an analysis of fashion as a lens for cultural consciousness, a brief note on why studying fashion is not frivolous.