In April 2021, social media users circulated a photograph purportedly showing First Lady Jill Biden sporting a pair of ‘fishnet stockings’ and a short skirt while disembarking from an airplane at a military base:
This was indeed a real photograph of the 69-year-old first lady, taken on April 1, 2021, as she arrived at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland after returning from a trip to California to mark the birthday of labor organizer César Chávez. Biden’s ensemble included black patterned hosiery, black ankle boots, a black blazer, and what looks to be a leather skirt:
US First Lady Jill Biden deplanes upon arrival at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on April 1, 2021. – Biden returned to Washington after a visit to California. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)Some critics asserted the first lady’s mode of attire was “trashy” or “inappropriate”:
Madonna called and wants her trashy look back, Doc.https://t.co/SFizSkqWL2
— Wayne Dupree Media, LLC (@WayneDupreeShow) April 5, 2021
They look fine on her, but they are totally inappropriate for a 69 year old First Lady of the United States to ber wearing while she is on the job.
— TypsyGypsyDance (@TypsyGypsyDance) April 5, 2021
Defenders of Biden’s look proclaimed that her ensemble was “amazing” and “classy”:
And FYI for those name calling those are designer tights those are eloquent those are bold they bring a balance to her already classy outfits they’re not cheap fishnets and I love them. Just because some of you can’t pull off such a classy look does it mean you should name call
— Ally May Gracie! (@AliciaFarn) April 4, 2021
The First Lady looks amazing!
— Tina G (@tinagutierrez04) April 5, 2021
Some commenters also took exception to the term “fishnet,” maintaining that the first lady’s legwear was more correctly called “patterned hose” or “lace stockings” or “floral tights”:
People these aren’t fishnets. These are simply patterned hose. Literally every fashionable European woman owns a pair.
Let’s save the outrage for the Matt Gaetz’s of the world.
— Gisele (@goldenstatesb) April 5, 2021