Karoline Leavitt, the youngest White House Press Secretary in U.S. history at age 27, has captured attention not only for her fierce loyalty to President Donald Trump but also for her dramatic style transformation. From her days as a MAGA diehard on the campaign trail to her current role delivering daily press briefings in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room, Leavitt’s wardrobe choices reflect her evolving public persona and the demands of her high-profile position.

A Bold Campaign Style

Before stepping into the White House, Leavitt was a 23-year-old congressional candidate in New Hampshire, embodying the energy of the MAGA movement. Her style during this period was vibrant and youthful, often featuring outfits that highlighted her confidence and physicality. Short dresses and skirts were staples, showcasing her “killer legs,” as some media outlets noted. These choices aligned with her role as a dynamic, grassroots campaigner, rallying Trump supporters with a fresh, Gen Z flair.

Leavitt’s campaign wardrobe was strategic, blending approachability with boldness. Bright colors and fitted silhouettes projected energy, while her signature bleach-blonde, loosely curled “Republican hair” became a hallmark of her public image. This look, described as timeless yet feminine, resonated with the quiet-luxury trend popular among conservative women in politics. Her style was less about Washington’s polished restraint and more about standing out in a crowded primary field.

Leavitt at a White House press briefing, April 2025, sporting a tailored blazer and skirt set.

A Shift to White House Sophistication

Since assuming the role of White House Press Secretary in January 2025, Leavitt’s style has undergone a noticeable shift. Gone are the leg-baring dresses of her campaign days, replaced by a more conservative, professional wardrobe. Matching cardigan sets, tailored blazers, and modest skirts now dominate her appearances, projecting an image of maturity and authority. This evolution reflects the gravity of her role, where she navigates contentious press briefings and defends the Trump administration’s policies.

Leavitt’s current style draws comparisons to traditional Republican women in politics, with a nod to figures like Kayleigh McEnany, under whom she served as an assistant press secretary during Trump’s first term. Her outfits often feature muted tones—navy, cream, or soft pastels—paired with designer accessories like a Gucci watch or New York-based labels. These choices signal a deliberate pivot toward a more seasoned, less flashy aesthetic, possibly influenced by her new responsibilities as a wife and mother, as well as the chilly Washington, D.C. climate.

Balancing Personal Faith and Public Image

Leavitt’s transformation extends beyond fashion. Her public persona is deeply rooted in her Christian faith, which she has openly discussed. A viral video from April 2025 showed her leading her team in prayer before a press briefing, a moment that underscored her reliance on faith in her high-pressure role. This personal conviction may also inform her sartorial choices, favoring modesty over the more revealing outfits of her past. Her style now aligns with a broader narrative of discipline and devotion, both to her faith and to Trump’s agenda.

A Rising Star in MAGA Politics

Leavitt’s rapid rise in the Trump administration—she previously served as an intern and assistant press secretary during his first term—has sparked speculation about her future. Steve Bannon, Trump’s former chief strategist, predicted in April 2025 that Leavitt could move beyond press secretary to a cabinet position or even chief of staff within a year or two. Her ability to channel MAGA fervor while maintaining a polished, professional image has made her a standout figure in the administration.

Her style evolution mirrors this trajectory. What began as a youthful, attention-grabbing look has matured into a wardrobe that commands respect in the West Wing. Yet, Leavitt hasn’t entirely abandoned her roots—her “Republican hair” remains a constant, and occasional pops of color in her outfits hint at the spirited campaigner still within her.

Why It Matters

In the world of politics, style is never just about clothes. For Leavitt, her wardrobe is a visual extension of her role as Trump’s spokesperson, balancing approachability with authority. As she navigates controversies—from Signal chat leaks to deportation policies—her appearance reinforces her message: steady, unapologetic, and aligned with Trump’s vision. Whether she’s deflecting questions about tariffs or defending Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Leavitt’s poised presence underscores her growing influence.

As the Trump administration continues to reshape the White House briefing room, granting more access to non-traditional media and MAGA-friendly outlets, Leavitt’s style will likely remain a topic of discussion. For now, her transformation from a leg-flaunting campaigner to a buttoned-up press secretary is a testament to her adaptability—and a signal that she’s here to stay.

Karoline Leavitt kept her legs Tahoe blue

@karolineleavitt/Instagram
Before dressing in all pink to try and be White House Barbie, Karoline Leavitt tried out a blue phase. Posing for an Instagram post, Leavitt is seen in a sports bra and matching cobalt leggings. Standing in front of Lake Tahoe, Leavitt’s caption says, “If Heaven were a place on Earth… it would be here.” While these leggings appear to cover up more of Leavitt’s legs than some of the other outfits on this list, they still manage to show off her toned features in a casual way.

The laid back and low key hair she’s rocking here is a nice break from Leavitt’s nursing home-inspired White House looks. In fact, this whole outfit is a reminder that Leavitt used to at least want to act and appear her age. As someone in their late 20s, the style Leavitt is bringing to her position within President Donald Trump’s second administration is one full of frump and fillers (well, potential fillers, anyway). To see her living a life where getting a tan and strolling on the beach was a big priority comes as such a shock now. Hopefully she can find time to take a break from spewing questionable answers from the press podium to reconnect with this version of herself.

Karoline Leavitt kept it short at Mar-A-Lago

@karolineleavitt/Instagram
While serving as national press secretary for Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, Karoline Leavitt hit the road to promote Trump any way she could. A photo published to her Instagram on March 5, 2024, shows a behind the scenes glimpse at what some of that job description entailed. Seen smiling in a bright pink blazer and plain black dress, Leavitt’s caption simply states, “Warming up the crowd for 47.” Sitting across from her is Brian Glenn, boyfriend of controversial republican Marjory Taylor Green. While it’s clear the intent of the photo is to show how Leavitt fulfilled her role while on the road, what takes center stage is actually how short her dress accidentally is here.

Crossing her legs at the ankle like a true demure professional, Leavitt does a great job of downplaying how much skin she’s showing. Whether on purpose or by accident, the simple little black dress Leavitt chose to wear for the event got even smaller when she took the seat across from Glenn. Strangely, this is one of her more coordinated outfits. It’s a classic look — a large blazer over a tiny dress is always an easy way to elevate what could be a boring outfit. What makes this piece so shocking is how far she’s moved away from this type of style, especially now that Leavitt is opting to wear frumpier dresses.

Karoline Leavitt prepped her legs for debate night

@karolineleavitt/Instagram

On September 10, 2024, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris verbally sparred in the only debate between the two presidential candidates. Even though Trump refused to return to share the stage with Harris after the event, Karoline Leavitt still took to Instagram to claim victory. Posting a snap of herself in front of a presidential debate-themed step and repeat, Leavitt wrote the caption, “Debate Night W,” indicating that she thought Trump had won the exchange. The outfit Leavitt chose to wear to celebrate taps into the nostalgia of the movie “Clueless,” which is full of matching patterned blazers and mini skirts.

This type of tailored blazer has a fun and effortless feel, as opposed to the stiff and boxy “Little House On The Prairie” sweaters Leavitt has been wearing more recently. The pattern is a fantastic refreshed classic, and her matching pink shirt makes the whole thing work. Plus, the short skirt allows Leavitt to show off her legs in a way that still fits with the vibes of the outfit. If anything, this is a great example of what a 20-something staffer in the White House could be wearing to remind everyone she’s still young and fun. Instead, Leavitt has continued to choose more covered-up and dowdy fashions as press secretary. Which is well within her right, but still a bit concerning that a mother who isn’t even 30 yet wants to dress like a grandma.