Second Lady Usha Vance, 40, became a talking point after Oscar de la Renta shared a photograph of her following the White House China State Dinner on September 24, 2026. Usha attended the formal event with her husband, Vice President JD Vance, as President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan. For the occasion, Usha wore a custom Oscar de la Renta strapless column gown covered in gold bugle beads, creating a shimmering effect that highlighted the craftsmanship of the design. The fashion house later shared a close-up image of the gown and a portrait of Usha, prompting numerous reactions online. Many commenters focused less on the dress itself and more on the fact that Usha had recently welcomed her fourth child, Alec Neel Vance, on July 19. Followers praised her appearance only weeks after giving birth, with several expressing surprise at how quickly she appeared to have returned to formal-event style.

Usha’s appearance also came after her maternity fashion had attracted attention earlier in 2026, when her choice of an inexpensive Old Navy maternity dress became a subject of discussion. Meanwhile, she was not the only woman whose White House fashion sparked debate during the Chinese president’s visit. Lauren Sánchez Bezos drew mixed reactions for her vintage black Alexander McQueen gown, while Ivanka Trump appeared in a powder-blue Guo Pei ensemble alongside her 15-year-old daughter, Arabella Kushner. Arabella wore an ivory Self-Portrait outfit, and photos of the mother-daughter pair also generated comments online. From Usha’s glittering gold gown to Lauren’s bold neckline and Ivanka’s elaborate embroidered look, the state dinner became as much a fashion conversation as a diplomatic occasion.