Rosalynn Carter was seldom seen on any list of the first ladies with the greatest outfits until her death on Sunday at the age of 96. She wasn’t typically referred to as “trendsetting” or “stylish.” She didn’t participate in the White House costume game, at least not in the way that Jackie Kennedy and Dolley Madison did. She appeared to actively reject it most of the time.

However, this does not imply that, during her tenure in Washington, Mrs. Carter was unaware of the influence and political utility of clothing or how to use it to her advantage. Indeed, one could argue that her tenure as first lady served as a model for a different method of creating images that is still in use today.

Let’s start with Mrs. Carter’s statement that she would only be bringing her sewing machine from Georgia to the White House following Jimmy Carter’s election in 1976. As a symbol, it conveyed to everyone listening that this administration would put the economy and accessibility first during the recession. In addition, it was a reference to her own rustic upbringing as a dressmaker’s daughter. It also established the precedent for the administration’s biggest fashion scandal, which transpired later.

Mrs. Carter chose to wear her gold-embroidered blue chiffon dress by Mary Matise, which resembled a caftan, to the inaugural balls instead of purchasing a new gown for Mr. Carter’s 1971 inauguration as Georgia’s governor.

The general response was one of shock and horror. Worn attire during the inauguration! The New York Times referred to Mrs. Carter’s dress as “old” and called her a “sentimentalist” for wearing it again, even though she had added a new gold-trimmed cape, also by Mr. Rompollo, through Jason’s, an Americus, Georgia, store.

Though glamour had never been the Carters’ forte in the first place, the fashion industry humbly expressed its disdain for the new first lady’s support of Seventh Avenue and her ability to represent the United States on the international scene with appropriate glamour. More like down-home morality.

In light of this, Mrs. Carter’s White House tenure was preceded by the inauguration gown and the principles it stood for. She kept shopping off the rack; A. Cohen & Sons had been another favorite store, also in Americus; she also used egg shells, peanuts, and pine cones to decorate the White House for Christmas.

Although Mr. Carter has evolved into a somewhat of a role model for an ex-president and history has been kind to the Carter administration, it is also true that Mrs. Carter’s first lady style is suddenly looking surprisingly current. It is after all true that Jill Biden, the current East Wing resident, is also well-known for her folksiness, love of shirtwaists, disinterest in telegraphing her wardrobe choices, and preference for wearing the same item twice. or thrice over.

She is actually praised for it, even though it is no longer referred to as “wearing old clothes” by the public. It’s known as sustainability. And Rosalynn Carter was the first to do it, indeed.