Jill Biden Swaps Suede Stilettos for On Running Sneakers Following CNN Presidential Debate

Jaden Thompson

28 June 2024 at 10:54 am·3-min read

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Following CNN presidential debate on June 27, first lady Jill Biden traveled from Georgia to North Carolina with multiple pairs of shoes in tow. She was prepared to swap formality for casual comfort when she switched out of suede heels and into a pair of sneakers from On.

US First Lady Jill Biden walks on the tarmac upon arrival at Raleigh-Durham International Airport in Morrisville, North Carolina, early on June 28, 2024. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images) — US First Lady Jill Biden walks on the tarmac upon arrival at Raleigh-Durham International Airport in Morrisville, North Carolina on June 28, 2024.

The debate between President Joe Biden and Republican candidate Donald Trump took place in Atlanta, Georgia the evening of June 27, ahead of the 2024 presidential election in November. Jill Biden traveled south to support her husband at the landmark political event, wearing a periwinkle blue pantsuit for the occasion.

Candidates and their families often opt for patriotic colors for election events, and last night was no exception. Dressed head to toe in blue, Jill Biden wore tapered dress pants with a button-down shirt and suit jacket, all in the same hue. The jacket featured a shawl lapel and fastened in the center of her outfit with a single button. She also wore two brooches and pearl earrings to accessorize the ensemble.

Her wardrobe choice complemented that of the president, who wore a blue tie to go one-on-one against Trump on the national stage.

A close-up of Jill Biden's heels. — A close-up of Jill Biden’s heels.

Jill Biden was photographed leaving Georgia still wearing the shoes she had on during the debate. Alongside her husband, she headed to board Air Force One in a pair of blue suede pumps. Featuring a sharp toe and thin heel, the classic pumps were a slightly darker and more muted shade than the rest of her outfit.

A close-up of Jill Biden's sneakers. — A close-up of Jill Biden’s sneakers.

The first lady slipped out of her heels at some point during her travels and into her athletic shoes. When photographed on the tarmac at Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina early on June 28, she was wearing a pair of lace-up sneakers from the brand On Running, presumably more comfortable shoes to travel in. They featured a blue and white colorway that picked up her pantsuit; the On logo was emblazoned on the tongue of the sneakers. Biden has previously shown her appreciation for the Swiss sportswear company, having worn a pair at the White House Easter Egg Roll in 2023.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 27: U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden speak to supporters at a watch party for the CNN Presidential Debate on June 27, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. President Biden and Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump faced off in the first presidential debate of the 2024 campaign. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Tasos Katopodis) — U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden speak to supporters at a watch party for the CNN Presidential Debate on June 27, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia.

The first lady wore a darker shade of suede pumps when she attended an event commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day earlier this month. She’s known to dress in monochrome apparel sometimes and select shoes to match her outfit — similar to yesterday’s debate, Biden wore a purple pantsuit with purple pumps at Nickelodeon’s National Civics Day event in 2023.

High profile political events often showcase a range of noteworthy formal fashion. See the footwear from the recent White House State Dinner for Kenya, where Jill Biden wore sparkling silver pumps, below.

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WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 23: U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden wait to greet Kenyan President William Ruto and his wife Rachel Ruto as they arrive for a State Dinner at the White House on May 23, 2024 in Washington, DC. Biden is hosting President Ruto and his wife Rachel Ruto for a state visit, which included a bilateral meeting, a joint press conference and state dinner. Ruto's visit is the first official state visit to the White House by a leader from an African country since 2008. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

All the Shoes at White House State Dinner for Kenya: Jill Biden, Kamala Harris & More

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