Advertisement

Melania Trump Carried a $13k Birkin Bag to Move Into the White House

In the latest edition of crazy expensive things that Melania Trump is wearing, the first lady moved into the White House on Sunday in one of her most enviable looks yet.

Melania Trump moving into the White House. (Photo: Getty Images)
Melania Trump moving into the White House. (Photo: Getty Images)

Outfitted in a Dolce & Gabbana white shell top, Bally brown culottes, and Manolo Blahnik heels, she made her way into her new D.C. home with her parents, her husband President Donald Trump, and their son Barron by her side. However, the most head-turning addition to her outfit was the Birkin bag on her arm.

While the couple’s 11-year-old son walked around with a fidget spinner earlier in the day, the first lady held onto an Hermès Birkin bag, estimated at over $13,000. But what seems like an outrageous price is not even on the high-end for the iconic bag, which now ranges from $12,000 to $200,000 depending upon style. The camel leather tote is known to be a classic among Birkin bags; Birkins that are made of rare crocodile skin are top of the heap in terms of the world’s most expensive bags, most recently selling for $379,261 in Hong Kong.

So, what statement is FLOTUS trying to make carrying such a high-end bag?

Yahoo Style spoke to celebrity stylist Robert Verdi in order to understand the meaning behind Trump’s Birkin, and to be honest, he said there might not be any.

“I don’t even think it’s calculated, I don’t think she even thinks about it,” Verdi says. “I think it’s just what she thinks women of status carry.”

Through the over three-decade history of the Hermés Birkin bag — beginning with actress Jane Birkin in 1984 — the tote has become a symbol of wealth across the globe. However, with the limited access that people have to the bag, it’s become more of a collector’s item than a functional. Because of this, Verdi says, Trump might be distancing herself from the masses by wearing it and actually using it.

While the first lady is not known for communicating much with the people, the stylist explains that Trump’s outfitting is sending messages for her.

“With Melania, and any other person who steps in the public eye, if they don’t use their voice, the thing we use as their voice is what they wear. And that’s what we’ve done with her,” Verdi says.

All over social media reactions to the Trump family’s move-in attire are running rampant. And, as Verdi predicted, without a statement from the first lady people are parsing her outfit for any indication of how she feels. What they’ve decided is that the expensive accessory communicates further issues within the first family.

Barron, Melania and President Donald Trump make their way to the White House. (Photo: Getty Images)
Barron, Melania, and President Donald Trump make their way to the White House. (Photo: Getty Images)

Many are even speculating that the over-sized purse was a deflection tool so that she wouldn’t have to hold hands with her husband.

One Twitter user wrote, “Held hands for 15 seconds, then Melania switched purse to left hand to avoid further hand holding from donnie. True love,” depicting the bag as a tool to deter the couple’s hand-holding.

Another user even assumed that the bag was more important to Melania than her own son, writing, “Melania and her Birkin will make many memories [at the White House]…and Barron.”

While people continue to attempt to uncover hidden meaning in the first lady’s wardrobe, we’ll continue to be amazed by the next exquisite piece she wears.

“Melania can think outside the box because she has a love of fashion and she looks great in clothes,” Verdi concludes. FLOTUS clearly also has a great eye.

Read more from Yahoo Style + Beauty:

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, follow @YahooStyle and @YahooBeauty.