Usha Vance didn’t start off in the spotlight, but her wardrobe clearly got the memo once husband JD Vance’s political ambitions took off. 

While she opted for a ‘less is more’ philosophy in her wardrobe choices during her time as a lawyer, her style experienced a transformation once she was thrust into the limelight.

The entire world has watched on as Usha’s outfits have transformed from plain tops and boring shirts to elegant dresses and bold patterns. 

She has truly found her fashion identity, exuding confidence in form-fitting dresses and striking jumpsuits — a significant departure from the simple outfits she wore at the start of her career.

However, the 39-year-old Indian-American mother of three has been candid about her intentions to continue dressing on her own terms, not bending to conform to ‘MAGA Land’ expectations.

Earlier this year, a reporter who pointed out that she looks quite different from the ‘blondes, Botox and facelifts, and nine-inch heels’ elsewhere on the political scene, and she was quick to shut them down.

As Usha continues to shine in her stunning looks, FEMAIL has recapped her fashion transformation from start to finish. Take a look back at how her style has changed. 

Keeping it simple during her early years: As Usha worked her way up as a lawyer, she seemed to take on a ‘less is more’ approach with her fashion

Usha grew up in a middle class household in San Diego, California. She was born to two Indian immigrants, who had moved to the US just before her birth.

Her dad worked as a medical engineer and a lecturer at San Diego State University while her mom was a molecular biologist.

Usha graduated from Mt. Carmel High School in 2003, and was described as a ‘leader’ and a ‘bookworm’ by her peers.

A yearbook photo of Usha during high school showed that she seemed to take on a ‘less is more’ approach when it came to her fashion, as she sported minimal makeup and a plain black top in the snap.

After high school, Usha headed to Yale University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in history in 2007.

She then headed to Cambridge to get her master’s in history, before she returned to Yale to study law. 

It was during law school that she met JD – in the fall of 2010 – when they crossed paths at the school’s library. 

They hit it off immediately and quickly started dating, and within three years, he proposed. 

An image of the couple during the early years of their romance showed that Usha’s sense of style had yet to evolve.

The photo featured her wearing a blue striped tank top with a pair of black sunglasses placed on the top of her head, while JD opted for a simple plaid button-up.

They wed in 2014, one year after they both graduated, and moved to San Francisco soon after, where she started working for the law firm Munger, Tolles & Olson and he landed a job at the venture capital fund Mithril Captial.

They relocated back to Ohio in 2017, and they welcomed their first child together that summer: a baby boy. They went on to welcome another son in 2020,  followed by a daughter in 2021. 

Gaining confidence as she stepped into the spotlight: Once JD entered the world of politics, Usha traded simple tank tops for elegant dresses

Usha and JD were first skyrocketed into the spotlight after he announced that he was entering the GOP Senate Primary in Ohio in mid-2021.

He went on to win the Republican primary in May 2022, and beat out Democratic nominee Tim Ryan that fall.

As her husband began to emerge as a prominent political figure, Usha was often seen by his side sporting classy dresses.

She traded in plain tank tops and simple ‘fits for elegant fitted gowns.

After the primary in May 2022, the two stepped out together and Usha opted for a chic, red, figure-hugging dress.

And on election night later that year, she was seen donning a gray midi dress adorned with a white and pink flower pattern.

According to personal stylist and image consultant Cynthia Kennedy, the casual pattern and fit suggested someone not too invested in projecting power.

‘This dress is stunning – bold florals meet a sleek silhouette, and it just works. It’s feminine, modern, and tailored without feeling overly “done,”‘ she exclusively told DailyMail.com of the look. 

Cynthia explained that Usha’s ensemble choice for the outing sent a message of her being self-assured, refined, and not afraid to have a little fun with fashion.

When asked about how she adjusted to the sudden attention, Usha previously told Free Press that she prided herself on being relatable to women across America, and her clothes certainly depicted that. 

‘People have just been quite accepting,’ she said. ‘[On the campaign trail], people would come up to me, because, maybe, they identified with me in certain respects – they would come and give me hugs.

‘I remember a woman came up to me, a black woman came up and gave me a giant hug and said, “I love you so much.”‘

Embracing brighter colors and bolder outfits: During her husband’s campaign trail, Usha wore ‘playful’ and ‘fashion-forward’ ensembles

After Donald Trump announced that JD was going to be his running-mate in July 2024, it seemed the entire country had their eyes on both JD and Usha.

And while in the past, Usha stayed mostly to the side while her husband took front and center, she stepped into the spotlight and delivered a powerful speech at the Republican National Convention that month.

For the event, she donned a bold blue dress that contained a sweeping neckline and one off-the-shoulder sleeve, oozing confidence as she took to the stage.

Two days later, she rocked a bright red dress, coordinating with other party wives like Melania Trump. 

‘This is such a power moment – the kind of red that turns heads in the best way,’ Cynthia said. 

‘The tailoring really flatters her shape, and the midi length keeps the whole look polished and refined without feeling too formal.’

Her appearances on the campaign trail started to look more curated, with brighter colors – which read approachable but not without intention.

Cynthia described her outfits as ‘fresh and unexpected,’ while also ‘playful, bold, and fashion-forward.’

On one occasion, she donned purple pants, and on another, she wore a dramatic maroon jumpsuit with a striking bowtie.

‘The magenta pants bring all the energy – playful, bold, and fashion-forward,’ Cynthia told FEMAIL.

‘It feels like she’s having fun with fashion and fully owning her style – not afraid to stand out, and totally in her element.’

Cynthia added of her maroon jumpsuit, ‘This is sleek, chic, and a little unexpected – and I love it. It’s a great choice for evening, and the color is rich without being too loud.’

Refusing to fit in with ‘MAGA Land’: Usha told reporters after becoming Second Lade of the United States that she had no plans to change her sense of style

When it came time for the inauguration in January, Usha ensured all eyes would be on her in a bubblegum pink Oscar de la Renta ensemble. 

A cashmere coat, matching scarf, and high-fashion price tag marked her full transition into the conservative elite’s preferred look: expensive, soft, and on-message.

‘This look is elegant, refined, and quietly powerful,’ Cynthia said of Usha’s inauguration ensemble. 

‘The all-pink palette feels soft and feminine but still makes a statement – like she knows exactly what she’s doing. 

‘The tailoring is spot-on and gives the whole outfit structure without feeling too stiff.’ 

For the ball afterwards, Usha looked dazzling in a sparkly blue strapless gown that fit perfectly on her frame. 

At an AI Summit in France weeks later, she opted for a slate-blue satin dress with a wrap bodice. 

It was a safe choice that could have come from any politician’s playbook, according to Cynthia.

‘This gorgeous satin dress is understated in all the right ways,’ she said. 

‘It flows beautifully when she moves, and the long sleeves keep it feeling elegant without being overdone.’

She explained that the look exudes effortless glamour, graceful, timeless, and power.

For a joint session of Congress in April, Usha wore a cream oversized blazer and wide-leg pleated trousers.

It was a departure from earlier bold patterns, but not exactly a standout moment.

‘This look is the definition of quiet confidence,’ Cynthia said. ‘The soft neutrals feel elevated but effortless – like she’s not trying too hard, yet still looks completely put together.’

While Usha has certainly embraced the public eye, she admitted that it has had it’s downsides to Free Press.

‘It’s a very strange life that we lead, where there are lots of people who have just imagined all sorts of narratives about us and what we think and what we do and why we do it and how much planning goes into it and all these sorts of things,’ she admitted.

‘To me, the highest priority right now is to be actually a normal person.’

And she made it clear that she had no plans to change her sense of style to fit in with ‘MAGA Land.’ 

The journalist said they asked Usha what it was like to be an ‘Indian-American woman in MAGA Land – with all the blondes and Botox and facelifts, the low-cut blouses and nine-inch heels,’ and she started laughing.

‘I’m laughing because it would be really hard for me to be blonde,’ she responded, adding, ‘That color would look totally absurd.

‘For what it’s worth, my reception into this world – and I’m not from a particularly wealthy background, not from a very fashion-oriented background personally or professionally – has been really positive. People don’t seem to care all that much what I look like.’