Is Jill Biden holding her husband's hand out of affection, or to make sure he keeps up the pace and doesn't lose his balance in front of photographers? We may well wonder. For several weeks now, the American president, often stammering, staggering, hesitating, wavering and mumbling, has been causing so much concern that the Democrats are even wondering whether it's reasonable to let him go into battle against a Donald Trump who is as wily as ever. While waiting for a final decision, Biden, 81, can at least count on Jill and her full support.
That day, on the tarmac of the small Westhampton Beach airport, the president dropped his tie and donned the accessories of American casual attire. His belt was held in place by a Western-inspired buckle, while his shirt bore the characteristic Bengal stripes of the preppy aesthetic so dear to the American upper classes. But Biden's signature style is his aviator glasses. The president has been wearing this model, designed in 1936 by Bausch & Lomb, since the age of 20, when he worked as a lifeguard in North Carolina.
Jill Biden wore a dress printed with white and purple butterflies, reminding us of her taste for sartorial risk. A few days before this photo, Joe's wife was seen in a spectacular navy dress by designer Christian Siriano, emblazoned with the word VOTE all over it in big white letters. Her appearance on the cover of Vogue magazine, wearing a Ralph Lauren dress, was the talk of the town. Was this cover, the third in three years, a gift from Anna Wintour to the Biden couple, for whom she has already organized fundraising events? It's hard to see any other explanation.
To Joe Biden's right, his granddaughter Finnegan stood out with her highly boho-chic allure. To accompany her signature white cotton dress, she sported the quintessential bohemian boots. Light brown and made from supple suede calfskin, the boots are noted for the many pleats running up and down their uppers. For those who know a thing or two about dogs, the pleats even earn these boots a nickname that speaks volumes: They're sometimes called "sharpei" boots, after the dog breed with the wrinkled head.
At the far left of the image, Natalie, another granddaughter of the presidential couple, completed the picture wearing an item of clothing that requires us to point out something as trivial as it is fundamental. We mustn't say "white jeans," but white "five-pocket pants." Why? Simply because a pair of jeans has to combine denim fabric with a five-pocket cut. As a result, there's no such thing as white jeans or black jeans. So now you know.
Translation of an original article published in French on lemonde.fr; the publisher may only be liable for the French version.