How Fashion Predicted A Trump Triumph

As they say, fashion is political. Hashtags #Americana, #OldMoney, and #RalphLauren were splashed across feeds. Those iconic flag-knit sweaters, the J. Crew lady jackets, the quiet luxury capsule collections—it was all more than a passing style fad. As improbable as it sounds, the runway and the wardrobe became bellwethers for the ballot box. The sartorial shift toward red, white, and blue and quiet luxury aesthetics signaled that a critical mass of Americans were embracing the values of faith, family, and class once again. Keen-eyed observers on TikTok and Instagram and fashion reporters were pointing out the “writing on the wall”—or rather, on our outfits​. When Donald J. Trump clinched victory in 2024, one thing was clear: the nation had dressed right, long before it voted that way.

When Style Speaks Values

They say “clothes make the man,” but in 2024, clothes also made the mood of a nation. Trends in clothing have long reflected deeper societal shifts, and this latest revival of American style was no exception. From back roads to Broadway, apparel began to represent lasting values of timeless heritage and fashion once again mirrored virtue, not volatility. The trending Ralph Lauren flag sweater—once a nautical '90s staple—suddenly became the must-have item for Gen Z and grandmothers alike. Social feeds filled with images of women in vintage boot cut jeans and cashmere sweaters, and men in WWII-era bomber jackets and pleated trousers. 

Even the trend lexicon said it all—TikTok was flooded with style motifs such as “quiet luxury” and “old money”​. Such looks rejected the loud, lazy, and garish in favor of the classic and familiar, much as many voters rejected the radical and rebellious in favor of a familiar promise: Make America Great Again. 

TikTok creator Elysia Berman virally pointed out that the "hyper-feminine” turn in women’s style was aligned with a broader embrace of “conformity to tradition​.” In plainer terms: Americans were dressing conservative because they were becoming more conservative. 

Women across America traded flashy logos or fast fashion for tailored blazers, pearl studs, and quality basics. The “old money” lookbook is essentially a Gen Z update of what older generations just called preppy. In other words, class was cool again and even the trendiest of influencers swapped streetwear for staples.

Legacy brands like Ralph Lauren had a resurgence among young shoppers, particularly with their iconic flag sweater. Blogger Casey Lewis, noticed a wave of Americana and old-money flooding her feed: RL flag sweaters, Gap look-a-likes and even affordable $11 knock-offs flying off TikTok Shop​. As Vogue reported in early 2024, Gen Z shoppers went crazy for flag pullovers, comparing different brands’ takes and gleefully unboxing them​. Who would have thought that teens and 20-somethings in 2023 would be gushing over a stars-and-stripes pattern their mom most likely wore to a Fourth of July barbecue in 1995?

Suddenly, Sezane, Tuckernuck, and Brooks Brothers were name-dropped in viral GRWM videos. And who could forget the internet’s obsession with Sofia Richie’s flagship “clean girl” aesthetic? Fashion savvy Americans noticed that when hemlines dropped and styles skewed modest, or “conservative,” and classic, something was in the air. 

Even fast-fashion brands took note. PrettyLittleThing, a brand once synonymous with risqué clubwear, announced in 2024 that it was pivoting to a more “elevated” refined look. The company swapped its signature hot-pink branding for burgundy and traded bodycon cut-outs for tailored trousers and blouses. When even the fast-fashion “baddie” brands start channeling Grace Kelly, you know the pendulum has swung.

Quiet luxury hinted at fatigue of the loud, anything-goes culture of the previous decade. Many women were simply tired of being told “sex sells” or that empowerment means ever-shrinking hemlines. Old-money styling offered a chic escape into nostalgia—a time when elegance was the norm. Dressing like a Kennedy felt comforting. Quality over quantity, tradition, subtlety—these were back in vogue. 

Crucially, this shift in style carried a value system in its threads. Danielle Vermeer of a major social commerce firm​ explained, “Fashion trends don’t exist in a vacuum; trends are often indicative of larger cultural and societal shifts.”

“Tradwife” Chic and Cottagecore Bliss

Before we knew it, fashion influenced lifestyle trends and tradition became viral. The #TradWife trend gained traction, with young wives sharing tips on homemaking, child-rearing, and honoring one’s husband—a direct counter to decades of dismissing gender roles as “outdated.” Google searches for “trad wife meaning” spiked 550% in 2023​. 

Homesteading and “cottagecore” movements drew in suburban millennials and Gen Zers alike. Influencers like Hannah Neeleman, a former Miss Utah turned ranch mom of seven, racked up millions of views by showcasing daily life on her “Ballerina Farm”—chasing toddlers and chickens with equal zeal​. Her idyllic videos of milking cows in overalls and braids, or laboring over homemade sourdough lasagna with a baby on her hip, regularly garner tens of millions of views. One Instagram reel of Hannah whipping up mozzarella-topped meatballs hit a whopping 78 million​. Millions of followers swoon over her wholesome, nurturing persona—a stark contrast to the Sex and the City image of modern womanhood.

Nara Smith, another prominent influencer, captured audiences by highlighting the charm and dignity of traditional femininity, promoting traditional gender roles and the virtues of family-oriented lifestyles. Far from being seen as drudgery, baking bread from scratch or decorating for Christmas with homemade decor became coveted activities. 

Women and girls, disenchanted with the hustle culture and endless hookup scenes of the 2010s, started romanticizing simpler times. It felt refreshing to see femininity and motherhood being celebrated as aspirational again, rather than scorned. Femininity found its way back into fashion with bows, lace, and ballet flats. Modest feminine styling celebrated dignity and self-respect over provocation. This shift in mindset overlapped with a time when many women were also reconsidering what empowerment really means in life, love, and yes, even politics. 

We re-embraced the color pink, but traded the fluorescent “Barbiecore” fuchsia for softer blushes and pastels. The “coquette” aesthetic complete with ribbon chokers and vintage-inspired lace, and "balletcore" made up of wrap sweaters and tulle skirts, trended on TikTok alongside the #StayAtHomeGirlfriend soft-life videos​. Even the makeup got subtler, with the “no makeup” look featuring tinted moisturizer, glow drops, brown mascara, and gel brows. Women were seen on feeds and the streets in long flowing dresses, pinafores, hair ribbons, and Jane Austen-esque frocks in floral prints. Bare feet in the garden or kitten heels in the sanctuary replaced sky-high stilettos at the club. 

Founding Values Made a Comeback in Music, Film, and Home

From Lana Del Rey’s Americana to Beyonce’s cowboycore, fashion became subtly rooted in American pride. We saw denim on denim, red leather cowboy boots paired with midi dresses, and vintage Americana logos embroidered on caps and tees. Americana reverberated across culture—audible in our music, visible in our homes, and palpable in how we chose to live and dress. 

Both film and music made western wear chic from LA to NYC. The hit TV series Yellowstone (and its prequels) made cowboy cool again with its cowboy heroes and frontier justice themes, gripping millions of viewers across demographic lines. At the box office, films like Top Gun: Maverick and The Sound of Freedom proved that audiences crave stories of heroism, patriotism, and tradition over cynical deconstruction. Classic filmmaking and traditional storytelling, marked by strong moral themes, family values, and historical settings, once again captured the hearts of Americans. 

Society at large seemed to be spinning up a playlist from simpler times. Singer songwriters like Morgan Wallen and Luke Combs not only topped the charts but also inadvertently pushed plaid shirts and trucker hats into mainstream style. 

Country and folk tunes, once shrugged off by coastal elites, surged to the top of the charts. Songs celebrating small-town life, hard work, and patriotism became surprise national hits. From Jason Aldean’s defiant country anthem to the raw acoustic ballad “Rich Men North of Richmond,” to the young indie vocals of Zach Bryan that became a viral sensation, the soundtrack of 2023-2024 was unabashedly heartland. Even young listeners found themselves humming along to lyrics about faith, flag, and the front porch. It felt as if Nashville had momentarily eclipsed Hollywood in setting the tone. The message in these media: there is something refreshing and real in celebrating the American roots and hometown values that ground us all. 

Home décor, too, told the story of a nation redecorating with an eye to the past. The hottest interior design trend in the country wasn’t some space-age minimalism or eclectic bohemian look—it was Modern Farmhouse, a style that proudly celebrates rustic Americana. In fact, this styling ranked as the most popular interior design in 32 states​. In these homes you’ll find barn-style lighting, shiplap walls, heirloom quilts, and a flag flying out front.

The Ralph Lauren aesthetic—with its rich textures, leather furnishings, equestrian motifs, and signature plaids—surged in popularity. The Nancy Meyers aesthetic, made famous in films like Something’s Gotta Give and The Holiday, continues to resonate with its effortless balance of luxury and warmth. Light-filled spaces, plush furnishings, and natural materials create lived-in homes that feel approachable rather than untouchable.

While Ralph Lauren’s design channels the refinement of old-money estates with its rich textures and storied charm, Meyers’ interiors embrace a breezy, sun-drenched sophistication that feels both aspirational and familiar. No sterile minimalism or chaotic maximalism here.

America’s cultural heartbeat quickened for tradition. By the time campaign season rolled around, the country was steeped in signs of a back-to-basics revival. Flag-waving was in vogue, both literally and figuratively. All that remained was for these cultural currents to translate into votes—which, of course, they did.

Why #Americana Terrifies the Left

Critics on the left frequently dismiss the soaring of Americana fashion as a troubling sign of exclusion or “nationalism”—painting American identity as covert symbols of division or even prejudice. To progressive tastemakers, wearing the American flag on one’s sleeve is perceived as a deliberate provocation, a symbol of resistance to their increasingly globalist vision. One Vogue writer openly wondered if wearing stars and stripes could ever again be free of irony, if it was “too Maga,” associating patriotism with populist movements they view as dangerous or divisive. Yet, these critics fundamentally misunderstand—or intentionally misrepresent—the spirit fueling this Americana revival. Far from representing exclusion, this movement simply brought home the values that have historically bound Americans together since its founding: faith, family, and freedom. When young people proudly don the flag, they're reclaiming a sense of pride in a nation increasingly told to be ashamed of itself by progressive elites.

At a time when the left promotes a narrative that America's history is primarily one of oppression and shame, many Americans—particularly young people—are instinctively pushing back through their wardrobes and lifestyle choices. They see the stars and stripes not as oppressive or exclusionary but as enduring symbols of opportunity, unity, and optimism. 

The very popularity of Ralph Lauren's flag sweater, created by the son of immigrants who are now citizens, is a testament to the promise of America. It's a nation defined not by exclusion, but by the very essence of the American dream.

2024 voters had decided that the progressive narrative of American shame had gone too far. In Trump’s Golden Age, traditional values not only became fashionable again, they became culturally and politically victorious, signaling the triumph of a worldview that unapologetically honors America's past, present, and future. The election outcome wasn't just political, it was cultural validation of what conservatives had known all along: that love of God and country binds a diverse nation together.

The recent rise of Americana fashion was far more than an Instagram trend—it was the canary in the coal mine announcing a national change of heart. Closeted conservatives were gaining confidence. They signaled, in living color, a broader cultural return to what anchors us: love of country, devotion to family, and faith in something greater than ourselves. The fact that this cultural shift foreshadowed Trump’s second victory should remind us that politics do not exist in isolation. Politicians and elections rise on the tides of culture. By the time Americans stepped into the voting booth, they had already “voted” with their lifestyles and fashion choices over the preceding years. 

For conservatives, this convergence of style and substance is a vindication. It demonstrates that the heart of America still beats strong for the founding values we hold dear. Despite the incessant drumbeat from Hollywood and secular academia trying to drum those ideals out, everyday Americans kept the flame alive—literally wearing their patriotism on their sleeve. 

If you want to know where the country is headed, look at the cultural clues: what people celebrate, how they entertain themselves, what they teach their children, and how it influences their personal presentation. The 2024 election underlined that when Americans start embracing tradition in their daily lives, they will soon demand it in their leadership as well. 

Faith, family, and flag are back in style—both on the catwalk and in the corridors of power. So when election night rolled around, was it truly such a surprise that millions gravitated to a candidate promising a return to tradition and homegrown values? The signs were literally on our sleeves.