Vice President JD Vance recently shared insights into President Donald Trump’s dress code rules for Cabinet members. On the “Hang Out with Sean Hannity” podcast, Vance explained that Trump has clear expectations for public officials to maintain a classic appearance. Trump emphasizes a traditional dress sense, which includes his noted dislike for brown shoes. This, Vance pointed out, is tied to Trump’s belief that officials must respect the institutions they serve by dressing appropriately.
According to Vance, respecting the office starts with appearance. He said, “The president has a certain sense that you ought to respect the place, you ought to respect the institution, respect the office. And one of the ways you do that is by dressing like a normal person.” He described Trump’s style rules as old-fashioned but important for maintaining professionalism.
Vance highlighted how Trump prefers a navy suit, black shoes, and a solid tie as standard attire. Vance noted, “He always has a navy suit. It’s almost always a solid tie. It’s always black shoes.” Trump even humorously critiques Cabinet members who wear brown shoes.
In the past, Trump confirmed buying new shoes for staff during an interview on “The Brian Kilmeade Show.” He joked about solving their issues by providing them shoes, further exemplifying his commitment to polished appearances.
Vance spoke about a notable instance involving Ukrainian President Zelenskyy during a White House meeting. Zelenskyy initially wore his usual military-style clothing. A reporter complimented Zelenskyy’s suit during a follow-up meeting, with Trump echoing the sentiment by saying, “I said the same thing.” Vance remarked how the incident showed the importance of appearance in diplomatic interactions.
Vance also recounted Trump commenting on his son Don Jr.’s attire during a 2024 9/11 memorial. Trump noticed Don Jr.’s wide collar, humorously mentioning it during the event. Vance has since adhered to the dress code of a navy suit, black shoes, and a conventional collar.