Fashion stylists have criticised Katie Zacharia’s clothing choices during her brief time as White House Press Secretary, raising questions about how her wardrobe compared with that of her predecessor, Karoline Leavitt.
The 41-year-old was asked to resign on Friday following a difficult first press briefing and revelations that she had never passed the bar exam, despite previously describing herself as an attorney.
During her short tenure, Zacharia appeared in several outfits that attracted attention from fashion commentators, particularly her ensemble for her first press briefing.
Navy Suit and White Blouse Draw Criticism
For the briefing, Zacharia wore a white blouse with an ascot-style tie and V-neckline beneath a navy double-breasted blazer by Veronica Beard, priced at $795. She paired the outfit with a matching navy pencil skirt, pointed-toe heels and long blonde hair styled in loose curls.
Audrey Charlyes Jacquet, founder of Maison Charlyes Jacquet, described the outfit as “classic armor”, saying it appeared designed to project authority and a legal background.
However, Jacquet argued that the formal appearance did not match the impression created by Zacharia’s performance at the podium.
She noted that the briefing lasted 14 minutes and included three questions, describing the blazer’s prominent gold buttons as excessive in relation to the short appearance.
Fashion Experts Question the Blouse and Blazer Combination
Stylist Phyllis Leibowitz also criticised the outfit, singling out the white blouse as its most distracting feature.
She said the neckline was difficult to describe and that the bright fabric drew attention away from Zacharia’s face.
Leibowitz acknowledged that the navy suit fitted Zacharia well in full-length photographs but argued that the combination of the complicated neckline and large gold buttons created too much visual detail.
She also questioned the fabric of the blouse, describing it as cheap-looking and saying it distracted from the message being delivered.
Leibowitz explained that clothing worn during a televised press briefing should allow viewers to concentrate on the speaker’s face and words, particularly when the person is primarily visible from the waist up.
Other Outfits Included a Black Dress and Red Top
Zacharia was also photographed wearing a black, long-sleeved maxi dress with a high neckline, side slit and ruched detailing while stepping off Air Force One.
On another occasion, she appeared on television in a bold red top covered by a black blazer.
Her clothing choices became part of a wider discussion among stylists about how her approach to political dressing compared with that of Leavitt, who left the spokesperson role in August.
Karoline Leavitt’s Wardrobe Seen as More Accessible
Leavitt, 29, was known for wearing relatively accessible fashion brands, including Zara, alongside more expensive labels.
She recently discussed her shopping habits with her 3.1 million Instagram followers, describing shopping as her “weakness” and listing favourite brands ranging from Ralph Lauren to TJ Maxx.
Jacquet said Leavitt’s wardrobe often featured fitted dresses, a cross necklace and polished but accessible clothing.
She described the former press secretary’s style as youthful, camera-ready and consistent with the campaign-focused image she presented. Jacquet also noted that Leavitt frequently wore contemporary brands, including Self-Portrait, where dresses typically cost a few hundred dollars rather than several thousand.
By comparison, Jacquet said Zacharia appeared to be dressing for a different interpretation of the press secretary role.
Stylist Says Zacharia’s Look Appeared Overdone
New York-based stylist Liz Teich also compared the two women’s wardrobes, describing Leavitt’s clothing as more polished and professional than the outfits seen during Zacharia’s short tenure.
Teich said Zacharia appeared to be aiming for a familiar style associated with women in Donald Trump’s political circle, including elaborate hair and makeup.
However, she argued that some of Zacharia’s outfits did not convey the level of professionalism expected in the White House, describing certain looks as too tight or low-cut.
Teich said the contrast between the two women extended beyond individual garments to the overall impression created by their styling.
Wardrobe Consultant Highlights Difference Between Glamour and Professionalism
Wardrobe consultant Amanda Sanders also identified a noticeable difference between Zacharia and Leavitt.
Sanders said Leavitt generally favoured a conservative, classic approach, while Zacharia’s outfits appeared more overtly glamorous.
She stressed that the two women did not need to dress alike but argued that political clothing should complement a person’s credibility rather than distract from it.
According to Sanders, an effective political wardrobe should be consistent, appropriate for the position and memorable for the right reasons.
She said Zacharia did not need to abandon glamour or femininity but could benefit from refining her choices to ensure that her clothing communicated the image she intended to project.
Debate Over Political Image Follows Zacharia’s Departure
The criticism of Zacharia’s wardrobe followed the scrutiny surrounding her first press briefing and the questions raised about her professional credentials.
Fashion experts have focused on the relationship between clothing, public presentation and the responsibilities associated with the White House press secretary role.
Their assessments contrasted Zacharia’s more glamorous outfits with Leavitt’s comparatively conservative and accessible style, as discussions continued over the image expected from the administration’s spokesperson.
