Bizarre theory about Melania Trump’s eye-watering US election day outfit

The First Lady stepped out in a expensive dress to cast her vote, sparking bizarre speculation about a “message” in the outfit’s print.

Melania Trump wore a very expensive outfit to cast her vote in the US election. Picture: Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP

Melania Trump has cast her vote in the US election wearing a designer outfit worth more than $30,000 - but it’s the print that has captured attention, sparking a bizarre theory online.

The First Lady of the United States wore a sleeveless chain and horse bit print dress by designer Gucci estimated to cost around $6275, The Express reported.

She also opted not to wear a face mask as she headed to the ballot box in Palm Beach, Florida on Tuesday.

While the print is an iconic style long associated with the Italian fashion house, several people claimed the chain design looked liked “handcuffs” and accused Melania of sending a “message” with her outfit.

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Melania Trump wore an outfit worth more than $30,000 to cast her vote. Picture: Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP

The First Lady opted not to wear a mask inside the polling booth and was reportedly the only one not to. Picture: Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP

Us as well but we just saw Melania wearing her dress to vote and it had handcuffs all over it ❤❤
They r in control !!

— Michelle (@Michell08172418) November 3, 2020

Melania voting today. Is that handcuffs on her dress? 🤔🤔@KikiTBird pic.twitter.com/OhO5wGnmd9

— Shannon 🇺🇸 🎅 (@skjewell43) November 3, 2020

Melania voted in FL. Always apparel c0mms
Does this design appear to be handcuffs to anyone but me? pic.twitter.com/t9MsYKgw23

— TurnTurnTurn (@TurnTurnTurn5) November 3, 2020

But others claimed the dress was sending a message of dissent that Melania was “in chains” and, even more bizarrely, that she was planning on divorcing Donald Trump.

Does Melania think that dress will inspire empathy for her? https://t.co/0I7CPmCeXL

— Holly Williams (@hwilliams0085) November 3, 2020

Melania sending a message saying she’s in chains, she’s divorcing him soon. https://t.co/ypUMnqG16W

— Paul Todd (@PaulTodd01332) November 3, 2020

Melania paired the pricey dress with a white and tan Hermes Kelly bag, named after Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco, worth around $23,680 and nude pointed Christian Louboutin pumps costing $900.

Wearing her hair in a stylish updo, Melania completed her outfit with a pair of signature dark sunglasses.

It’s not the first time Melania’s outfit has sparked a frenzy of online speculation.

During the 2016 election, following the release of the infamous “grab them by the pussy” tape, Melania wore a blouse featuring a pussy-bow neckline to her next public event.

She also stoked anger with her “I don’t really care, do u?” jacket which she wore during a drink to a migrant child detention centre in 2018.

After being accused of it sending a message on migration, Melania came out and clarified that the jacket had been a message not directed to those in detention, but to the “people and for the left-wing media who are criticising me”.

While casting her vote on Tuesday the First Lady was reportedly the only person not wearing a mask when she cast her vote, however, her spokeswoman said she had been the only one there to vote at the time, Fox News reports.

According to spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham, Melania had been the only person inside the polling booth centre besides her staff and poll workers, who had all been tested for coronavirus.

Melania accessorised her dress with an Hermes Kelly bag. Picture: Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP.

Ms Grisham said those inside the polling booth had kept away from Melania “because of social distancing and the privacy” voters get.

Unlike the 2016 election, Melania did not vote alongside her husband, who cast his ballot in Florida last week.

“It’s Election Day so I wanted to come here to vote today for the election,” she told reporters of her decision to vote solo.

Melania’s decision not to wear a mask goes against an emergency order enacted in Palm Beach making face coverings mandatory in public places and government buildings, NPR reports. The US has been hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic, with 9.4 million cases reported and 232,000 deaths.

Her maskless appearance was in contrast with a local rule that face coverings be worn in public places. Picture: Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP.

Her maskless appearance – and very expensive choice of outfit – also didn’t sit well with people on Twitter:

Selfish Miserable Melania still not wearing a maskpic.twitter.com/Cx6cdm5nxa

— MichaelRapaport (@MichaelRapaport) November 3, 2020

Also, that’s a $4,700 Gucci dress that Melania Antoinette wears to vote today, as well as what looks like an Hermès two-tone Kelly bag that goes for $26,500, so please, Trumpers, whine again about a suit @AOC got to temporarily try on for a photo shoot. https://t.co/3ccay1heb2

— Laurie Brookins (@StyleWriterNYC) November 3, 2020