Kyrsten Sinema has been sworn in as the first openly-bisexual senator and during a mock ceremony on Thursday, much of the focus was on the Arizona Democrat’s outfit – but not entirely for the right reasons.
The 42-year-old was compared to the likes of Reese’s Witherspoon’s character in Legally Blonde and Imelda Staunton’s from the Harry Potter film franchise as she wore a pink coat to cover up in the cold Washington DC weather.
At the 116th Congress event, Sinema was only the second woman from her state to be sworn in, alongside Martha McSally who lost their face-off but replaces the late John McCain. McSally was first to be sworn in.
Kyrsten Sinema is only the second woman from Arizona to be sworn in. She appeared at a mock ceremony for the 116th Congress on Thursday
Compared to Imelda Staunton’s Dolores Umbridge character from the Harry Potter film franchise as she wore a pink coat to cover up in the cold Washington DC weather
Despite acknowledging the focus should be on her political achievements, her fans and critics couldn’t help but comment on her colorful look from Thursday.
‘Kyrsten Sinema out here looking like Dolores Umbridge from Harry Potter,’ one Twitter user posted.
In another comment, a referenced the same character when hinting they weren’t sure about her choice of attire:’ Kyrsten Sinema, I love you, you are an icon, but you are channeling Dolores Umbridge so hard in this outfit.’
The 42-year-old carried a dotty bag and was compared to the likes of Reese’s Witherspoon’s Elle Woods character in Legally Blonde
Her fans and critics couldn’t help but comment on her colorful look
New year, new Congress: Fans loved what the politician was serving in terms of style
She was called a ‘businesslady fashion icon’ by one tweeter who wouldn’t have chosen the look
Vice President Mike Pence swore in Sinema, one of the few Senate politicians open about their LGBTQ community status, in the Old Senate Chamber on Capitol Hill.
The first Democrat to replace the Arizona Senate seat in 30 years, she replaced GOP stalwart Jeff Flake and was one of 29 new and re-elected people taking the oath.
Even if it wouldn’t have been what many of her supporters would’ve chosen to wear had they the chance, it was clear social media users agreed that Sinema’s fashion made the event refreshing.
Vice President Mike Pence administers the Senate oath of office to Kyrsten Sinema during a mock swearing in ceremony in the Old Senate Chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington
Her upper body featured a white top with pearl embellishments and her lower half floral print
One person posted online: ‘In the last 24 hours some Conservatives have tried to convince others AOC doesn’t have sweet dance moves, and Kyrsten Sinema, Dolores Umbridge cosplay wasn’t fun. Grab a shovel, dig deep, climb in until neck high, and wallow in your pit until you can think for yourself.’
The blonde switched between wearing a gray fur stole and placing it inside her dotty bag.
She kept the accessory off as she practiced raising her hand in front of the Vice President, displaying on her upper body, white with pearl embellishments and a contrasting floral print on her lower half.
The Tucson woman refused to swear on the traditional Holy Bible and opted for a law book instead.
It prompted the public to compare her to Witherspoon’s Elle Woods movie character with the best possible compliments.
The politician’s look was difficult to go unmentioned as hard as people tried to ignore it
Social users commented on how Sinema opted to swear on a law book instead of a Holy Bible
Twitter was obsessed with her look which she made even more glamorous by adding a fur stole
it was clear social media users agreed that Sinema’s fashion made the event refreshing
‘Kyrsten Sinema serving Elle Woods as she joins the Senate today is an energy we very much need to carry on through 2019,’ one tweeter commented.
Another said: ‘Kyrsten Sinema gives me Elle Woods vibes. FYI this is the HIGHEST level of compliment I can possibly give someone.’
A member of the LBGTQ community thought she was a great representation of how times have changed.
The Twitter user posted: ‘I’m too goth for this Elle Woods-inspired look myself, but I embrace Kyrsten Sinema as a queer femme businesslady fashion icon.’
On a day she was labelled ‘gay royalty’ by fans, her activity inside the chamber got attention too.
The Associated Press reported she was startled when her name was called during a routine tally and said, ‘Here!’ She looked around for guidance and, finding none, shrugged.