Jill Biden is known for being hesitant to focus on her fashion choices, unlike Michelle Obama and Melania Trump who used their wardrobe strategically. Despite this, during her solo trip to the Tokyo Olympics, she successfully represented American fashion by wearing outfits from local designers. She also embodied the theme of the Olympics, which focused on sustainability, with the motto “Be better, together — For the planet and the people.” Biden only wore a new outfit once during her trip to Japan, choosing to recycle clothes from her closet for public events, including the official US Olympic Team uniform. The outfit was worn during a visit to a Florida vaccination site with Anthony Fauci in June. The floral Tom Ford outfit was worn to dinner with Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga of Japan and his wife Mariko. It was also worn at the G-7 summit in Britain in July. The polka-dot Brandon Maxwell outfit was worn at the opening ceremony, as well as the one under the highly debated "Love" jacket. The white Michael Kors dress was worn in Tokyo under a Team USA jacket, and had previously been worn under a navy jacket during a G-7 appearance in Britain by President Joe Biden and the first lady. Jill Biden's lilac dress worn in Honolulu had also been worn before. Recycling wardrobes may not seem significant, but it has been uncommon since the 21st century when it comes to celebrities and influential figures. The constant need for new content has usually been associated with new outfits for events like red carpets or premieres. It has been entertaining to observe and try to guess the designer of the outfits. However, it has also unexpectedly reinforced the disposable culture surrounding fashion, contributing to the overabundance of items that everyone now laments. The idea that every outing requires a new outfit has been perpetuated. Biden's decision to break this cycle is a significant departure from recent norms, just like her choice to continue working as a professor while in the White House. This refusal to conform may be just as important, and potentially influential if people take notice. Biden is not rejecting fashion altogether - each outfit she wears is part of the ongoing New York Fashion Week narrative, featuring American brands, both established and emerging. By showcasing these looks, she is playing a role in promoting local businesses on a global scale. Instead of discarding her clothes, she is emphasizing their worth by wearing them again. The message is that when you discover a piece of clothing that makes you feel confident and empowered, you should hold onto it. If it boosted your self-esteem before, it will likely do so again. This kind of garment is worth investing in for the future, serving not only the wearer but also those who see it. It is not meant to be disposable. It is possible for anyone to do what she did, regardless of their awareness of sustainability. It is possible that her decision to rewear clothing was simply a coincidence, as she was extremely busy leading up to the Olympics and did not have time to carefully choose her outfits. However, considering that it was her first solo trip and there was increased attention on her, it seems unlikely that her decision was not intentional. The pandemic restrictions resulted in a lack of audience members in the arena, making Biden aware that she would easily stand out. Although her words may not be heard, her outfit would certainly be noticed. Her consistent use of recycled styles during various events in the first 100 days of her husband's administration, which aligns with the climate-focused aspect of the Biden agenda, may have peaked with this trip. This indicates that this will become a key element of Biden's time in the East Wing and how she advances her role. If this is the case, it will benefit everyone involved. Copyright 2021 The New York Times Company.