Ivanka Trump is stealing a strategy out of the first lady's playbook — and it's a brilliant political move

pulse

November 21, 2017 8:17 PM

By taking a page out of Melania's playbook, Ivanka seems to be trying to ditch her liberal reputation to better win over President Trump's base on the right.

Ivanka Trump was spotted wearing a $3,000 Dolce & Gabbana jacket.
It was a piece that could have been pulled out of Melania Trump's designer-packed closet.
By swapping fast fashion for designer clothing, Ivanka seems to be trying to appeal to a different crowd — just as the GOP pushes

Ivanka Trump ditched her eponymous line in favor of something more expensive on Tuesday.

The first daughter was spotted wearing a $2,995 Dolce & Gabbana coat and a $1,700 skirt from the same brand to the annual White House turkey pardoning, the Daily Mail reported.

It's a departure for Trump, who typically wears clothing from her own line, sprinkled in with trendy pieces from other affordable brands like Zara. In fact, it seems like something that could have come out of first lady Melania Trump's closet.

Melania's outfits tend to be from pricier fashion designers like Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren, and Balmain.

Melania has scaled back somewhat after her clothing choices sparked criticism (you won't spot her in another $51,000 coat), but the first lady's wardrobe is still notably more expensive than what the first daughter wears during most public appearances. On Tuesday, for example, she appears to have worn a $1,625 Stella McCartney coat.

Since Donald Trump began his presidential campaign, Ivanka has attempted to convince more progressive Americans that her father is a worthwhile politician. As a result, her fashion strategy has aimed to be relatable. Melania, on the other hand, strives to be aspirational.

Ivanka's pricey coat could symbolize a new strategy for the first daughter. Republicans' perception of Ivanka Trump has dropped as the first daughter has been increasingly seen as a moderating force who makes an active effort to push forward certain policies.

Meanwhile, perception of Melania has only gotten better. According to a CNN poll, the first lady has a 48% approval rating, compared to the president's 38%.

As Ivanka works to sell the tax plan, winning over Republicans is crucial. Business Insider's Bob Bryan reports that the Republican Party could be the one thing that actually slows down the passage of the tax plan, making it harder for the bill to pass at all.

By taking a page out of Melania's handbook, Ivanka seems to be trying to ditch her liberal reputation to better win over Trump's base on the right this Thanksgiving.

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