When the Ohio State Buckeyes visited the White House to celebrate their college football championship victory, all eyes were naturally on the team — but it was Usha Vance’s outfit that sparked conversation online.
As the wife of Vice President JD Vance, her fashion choices have occasionally drawn criticism, and this event was no exception.
The occasion held special meaning for the Vances, as Ohio State is JD’s alma mater. On April 16, Usha shared a carousel of photos from the celebration on Instagram. One image showed her proudly holding a red No. 2 Buckeyes jersey while her husband held a white No. 50 version, both customized for the second couple.
A Red and White Look — With a Footwear Fumble
Usha embraced the school’s color palette by wearing a bright red dress with a medium-length hemline, paired with a white blazer casually rolled at the sleeves. The color-coordinated outfit might have worked for a college tailgate or campus event — but the choice of shoes raised a few eyebrows.
Instead of formal heels or even sleek dressy sneakers, Usha opted for white low-top athletic shoes with yellow soles. While clearly aiming for a sporty, spirited vibe, the shoes came across as mismatched for a formal White House ceremony.
Commentators online were quick to point out that a more polished pair of heels — or at least more stylish footwear — would have elevated the look without sacrificing comfort or team spirit.
The Trophy Mishap That Stole the Spotlight
As it turns out, Usha’s unconventional footwear wasn’t the most awkward moment of the day. That title went to the CFP National Championship Trophy itself, which dramatically broke apart while being handed to JD Vance. The base of the trophy dropped to the floor, creating a split-second of chaos.
To his credit, the Vice President handled the incident with humor, later joking about the mishap on X (formerly Twitter), helping to downplay the situation with grace.
Still, the unexpected wardrobe choice and the trophy blunder combined to make the Buckeyes’ White House celebration one for the books — and not entirely for the reasons fans expected.