Usha Vance's $8 maternity dress sparks online frenzy

A discounted maternity dress from Old Navy has become an internet sensation after being worn by Second Lady Usha Vance. The coral, bump-hugging dress, originally priced at $50 and reduced to as low as $7.47, gained significant attention after Vance appeared in it and later shared a screenshot on Twitter.

The dress's newfound prominence is linked to a New York Times article by Vanessa Friedman, which discussed pregnancy and style among prominent Republican women, including Vance, Karoline Leavitt, and Katie Miller. Friedman noted a consistent presentation of "family and fertility" through fitted dresses and social media posts.

Vance humorously responded to the New York Times' analysis of her dress, tweeting, "Now that we know the political significance of my $8.75 coral maternity dress from Old Navy, can’t wait to hear what the New York Times has to say about my elastic-waistband pants and compression socks!" The tweet garnered enthusiastic comments from users praising her relatability and frugality.

The dress has since sold out in all sizes and colors on Old Navy's website, drawing comparisons to the "Kate Middleton effect" or "Meghan Markle effect," where public appearances of celebrities lead to rapid sell-outs of their outfits.