Katy Perry wore white, red, and blue for her showstopping 'Firework' performance closing out a historic Inauguration Day
The "Celebrating America" special that followed Inauguration Day wasn't filled with many big fashion moments, but Katy Perry made sure to bring a major look for its finale.
Perry wore a white gown as she took to the stage in Washington, DC, to sing her iconic tune "Fireworks" as literal fireworks sparkled above the National Mall.
The pop star's dress featured a dramatic cape that flowed behind her, opera gloves, and a corset-esque waist that featured a peplum detail.
But the standout detail was the military-style buttons — blue ones that ran down Perry's sleeves, and red ones that flowed to the bottom of her skirt.
The combination of red, white, and blue is clearly an homage to the colors of an American flag. Red is also the color of the Republican party, while blue is the hue used to represent the Democrats. Having both colors on her dress may have also been a symbol of unity — a major theme of President Joe Biden's inauguration.
It wasn't the first image of bipartisanship in Inauguration Day fashion. Earlier in the day, Vice President Kamala Harris wore purple, as did Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton. Purple has often been worn by politicians to symbolize bipartisanship since the color combines the blue and red shades respectively associated with the Democrat and Republican parties.
Perry's choice to wear an all-white outfit may have also been in tribute to women's suffrage. The color has long represented the movement — and was notably worn by Harris when she gave her acceptance speech as vice president-elect in November.
To top off her look, Perry sported custom white-gold and diamond Rahaminov earrings. A spokesman for the brand told Insider that Perry hand-selected an American jeweler to showcase at the concert and worked with the brand to create her earrings.
After an Inauguration Day filled with coats in bright hues, the fashion at the "Celebrating America" special on Wednesday night relied far more on somber black and hopeful white.
Harris swapped her all-purple outfit for a black coat and top — which appeared to feature sequins — for the event. Jill Biden switched her turquoise ensemble for a long white coat and matching dress designed by Gabriela Hearst.
The first lady's coat featured floral embroidery that represented the federal flowers from every state and territory of the US, according to Women's Wear Daily executive editor Booth Moore.
Her dress was on full display as she and President Biden were seen dancing to Demi Lovato's performance with their grandson as they watched the special from the White House.
Inaugural balls are traditionally held on Inauguration Day, but were canceled this year due to the ongoing pandemic.
The "Celebrating America" special, which was hosted by Tom Hanks, instead featured concerts from the likes of Bruce Springsteen, John Legend, and Justin Timberlake.
- Read more:
- All the hidden meanings behind Kamala Harris' Inauguration Day outfit
- Designer of Jill Biden's inauguration outfit says the first lady 'recognizes the power and impact' of her clothing choices
- Michelle Obama fans compare her stunning inauguration outfit to the modest look she wore to the same event for Trump
- Jennifer Lopez made a statement by wearing head-to-toe white during her inauguration performance
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