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When Style Meets Ceremony: Usha Vance and the Ohio State Celebration

Usha Vance’s White House Appearance Draws Attention — and Sparks Conversation

Not everything at the White House that day was as it seemed. Amid polished speeches, ceremonial handshakes, and team photos, one detail quietly drew attention — a flash of unexpected color on the feet of a familiar figure. Observers couldn’t help but wonder whether it was simply a fashion choice… or a subtle statement meant to be noticed.

When the Ohio State Buckeyes visited the White House to celebrate their college football championship, the focus was naturally on the team. Yet Usha Vance’s ensemble quickly became a talking point online. As the spouse of Vice President JD Vance, her style choices have occasionally sparked debate, and this occasion was no exception.

The event carried personal significance for the Vances, since Ohio State is JD Vance’s alma mater. On April 16, Usha shared a carousel of images from the celebration on Instagram. In one standout photo, she held a red No. 2 Buckeyes jersey, while her husband posed with a white No. 50 version, both personalized for the second couple.

A Red and White Look — With a Footwear Fumble

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Second Lady Usha Vance (@slotus)

Usha embraced the school’s color palette, wearing a bright red dress with a medium-length hemline, paired with a white blazer casually rolled at the sleeves. The color-coordinated outfit might have worked for a college tailgate or campus event — but the choice of shoes raised a few eyebrows.

Instead of formal heels or sleek dressy sneakers, Usha opted for white low-top athletic shoes with yellow soles. While clearly aiming for a sporty, spirited vibe, the shoes appeared mismatched for a formal White House ceremony.

Commentators online noted that a more polished pair of heels — or at least more stylish footwear — would have elevated the look without sacrificing comfort or team spirit.

The Trophy Mishap That Stole the Spotlight

Usha’s unconventional footwear, however, wasn’t the most awkward moment of the day. That distinction went to the CFP National Championship Trophy itself, which dramatically broke apart while being handed to JD Vance. The base of the trophy fell to the floor, creating a brief moment of chaos.

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by TSN (@tsn_official)

To his credit, the Vice President handled the incident with humor, later joking about the mishap on X (formerly Twitter), helping to downplay the situation with grace.

Still, the combination of the unexpected wardrobe choice and the trophy blunder made the Buckeyes’ White House celebration one for the books — and not entirely for the reasons fans anticipated.

Conclusion

Usha Vance’s White House appearance demonstrated that even amidst formal ceremonies, fashion can command attention. Her outfit reminded viewers that personal style can coexist with tradition, and that sometimes, the smallest details — a shoe, a color, or a gesture — can leave the largest impression.