Melania Trump’s outfit choice at the presidential debate Sunday left many wondering whether it was a fashionable troll, an unintentional mistake, or a secret signal to Hillary.
Melania, wife of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, wore a ‘pussy bow’ blouse, a 1930s-style shirt which features two scarf-like pieces of material tied in a loose bow at the neck.
Given the recent leaked recording of Trump boasting about being able to “grab” women “by the pussy,” in a conversation with TV host Billy Bush in 2005, the decision created a lot of excitement on social media.
Many believed she chose the ensemble just to annoy her husband’s critics, or his rival Hillary Clinton.
As news of Mrs. Trump’s outfit spread across social media, many expressed surprise that pussy-bow shirts existed as a real piece of clothing.
Others floated the idea that Melania’s choice of outfit was a secret signal that she had defected to Clinton’s camp, with one social media user pointing to the fact that she was wearing Clinton’s signature outfit, a pant suit.
Melania voiced her displeasure at her husband’s comments before the debate.
“The words my husband used are unacceptable and offensive to me,” she said. “This does not represent the man I know. He has the heart and mind of a leader. I hope people will accept his apology, as I have, and focus on the important issues facing our nation in the world.”
Others believed it was the work of Trump.
Melania’s blouse was Gucci and sells for $1,100. A campaign spokesperson reportedly said the fashion decision was “not intentional.”