Melania Trump just gave the world a lesson in the ambiguity of clothing as a language even when it contains literal words.
On Thursday, the first lady boarded a plane wearing an olive-green Zara jacket with graffiti-style writing on the back that read I really dont care do U? The former fashion model understands the substance of style, and she undoubtedly knew that her back would be particularly visible as she mounted the airplanes steps. So why, on the way to visit a shelter for migrant children separated from their parents at the Texas-Mexico border, would she wear such a thing?
Its just a jacket. Her clothing choice was completely meaningless. That was her spokeswomans take on it. But, as many people noted, shes not in the habit of wearing cheap fast fashion, so why pick this to wear?
* She doesnt give a damn about immigrant children. The un-ironic reading was offered by critics such as CNNs Kirsten Powers, who called her the Marie Antoinette of this administration. The problem with this theory is that the immigrant first lady, who appears to be a devoted mother, had previously gone out of her way to say she hates to see children separated from their families.
* Its about fake news. Employing his usual spin, President Donald Trump cast the jacket as a media critique. Its conceivable that she meant that, unlike her media-obsessed husband, she doesnt care about press coverage. But, if so, why go on a high-profile trip in the midst of a raging controversy wearing a jacket with anything written on it?
* Her husband made her wear it. I cant remember where I saw this theory, which exemplifies the Melania is under his thumb view. Do you really think Trump checks Zara inventories and then dictates clothing choices to his wife? Seriously?
* She doesnt care what you think of her. That might very well be true, but does she need a jacket to get that point across?
* Its about the Do u? Perhaps the point of the jacket is the final question.
* Its about her husband. Melania certainly doesnt seem to feel obligated to fulfill the traditional role of a first lady, which is first and foremost to make her husband look good. Although she shone at the first state dinner, for French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, and occasionally issues an anti-bullying statement, shes mostly invisible. And her public statements expressing motherly concerns about the welfare of children often make her husband look bad. Maybe the jacket was an act of rebellion. But what doesnt she care about?
In the end, we simply dont know. The jacket demonstrates a consistent truth about Melania Trump: She is an enigma onto whom people project their pre-existing beliefs, hopes and fears. In that sense, she is still a professional model. She looks good in clothes and lets the audience imagine whatever meanings they prefer.
