It is not every day that a White House press briefing turns into a fashion debate, but Karoline Leavitt has managed to spark one. The focus is not on policy or a clash with reporters. It is on her clothes. More to the point, her new routine of wearing big blazers and loose jackets that seem to swallow her whole.
At recent briefings, Leavitt has walked up to the podium in outfits that look several sizes too large for her small frame. The effect is aging her and distracting viewers who once paid attention to her message. Now they are staring at her sleeves.
During the October 16 press conference on the government shutdown, she wore a striped black and white blazer with wide arms and a long fit that hung off her shoulders. The fabric had no shape and no structure. It took over the moment before she even spoke.
People noticed. The look did not fit her. The tailoring was off. The jacket aged her on camera and came across as sloppy for someone in such a visible role at the White House.
LEAVITT ON COURTS BLOCKING LAYOFFS
“This is another far-left partisan judge who was smacked down by the SCOTUS in July for ruling on this exact same thing.” – @PressSec @karolineleavitt fires back when asked about the courts blocking federal layoffs during the shutdown. pic.twitter.com/vJXibX0hLl
— Real America’s Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) October 16, 2025
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This has become a talking point for viewers who cannot understand why a press secretary with a major salary and nonstop media attention is showing up in outfits that look rushed, borrowed, or pulled at random from the back of a closet.
Some took the jokes even further and pointed to her age gap with her husband, Nicholas Riccio. They wondered if she was dressing older on purpose or borrowing inspiration from him. The theory is dramatic, but the change in her style has been drastic, so people are guessing.
What makes it more confusing is the fact that Leavitt has proven she can dress well. She has worn flattering outfits in the past. Photos from her college days and from social events show a very different style. She has also worn fitted looks at games and parties with friends.
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Her new fashion phase is softening her presence at the podium. The big jackets hide her frame and remove any sense of shape. The viewer is not looking at the message or the moment. They are looking at fabric. That is not ideal for someone who already faces regular backlash.
This style issue is only one part of her public image battle. Leavitt has been mocked before for her makeup after she said she did it herself. She has also faced plastic surgery rumors tied to MAGA beauty standards.
Featured image via YouTube screengrab
