New York City First Lady’s $630 Boots Spark Inaugural Debate

New Delhi, january 03, 2026: In a historic transition for New York City, Zohran Mamdani officially took the oath of office as the city’s 112th mayor on New Year’s Day 2026. While the occasion marked several milestones—Mamdani being the city’s first Muslim, first South Asian, and youngest mayor in generations—public discourse quickly pivoted toward a surprising detail: the footwear of the new First Lady, Syrian-American artist Rama Duwaji.

During the intimate midnight swearing-in ceremony held at the decommissioned City Hall subway station, Duwaji was photographed in a pair of sleek, black lace-up boots identified as the “Shelley” model by the designer brand Miista. With a retail price of approximately $630, the boots sparked an immediate and polarized debate on social media, testing the optics of an administration built on a platform of democratic socialism and working-class advocacy.

The Debate Over “Champagne Socialism”

Critics were swift to point out the perceived discrepancy between Mamdani’s campaign promises—which include rent freezes and $30 minimum wages—and the luxury price tag of his wife’s wardrobe. On platforms like X (formerly Twitter), users leveled accusations of hypocrisy, reviving the “Champagne Socialist” label. One viral post remarked, “It’s hard to sell a socialist dream when the boots on the ground cost more than many New Yorkers’ weekly paychecks.”

The backlash centered on the idea that political figures championing the “99%” should strictly avoid high-fashion labels to maintain authenticity. The moody, cinematic backdrop of the abandoned subway station—meant to symbolize Mamdani’s commitment to public infrastructure—ironically served to highlight the high-fashion aesthetic for some skeptical observers.

A Defense of Sustainable and Rented Fashion

However, the controversy was met with a robust defense from fashion experts and supporters who noted that Duwaji’s approach actually aligned with progressive “circular fashion” principles. Reports from her styling team revealed that the First Lady’s inaugural wardrobe was largely composed of rentals and archival pieces:

• The Boots: Supporters pointed out that $600 designer boots are often a one-time investment in quality over “fast fashion,” and in this instance, were reportedly on loan.
• The Coat: Her black asymmetrical funnel-neck coat was a vintage Balenciaga piece rented from the Albright Fashion Library.
• The Jewelry: She wore archival gold earrings and stacked bracelets, also sourced from vintage dealers.

Fashion insiders argued that the scrutiny faced by Duwaji reflects a persistent double standard for women in the political spotlight. Many noted that the cost of her footwear pales in comparison to the thousands spent on custom gowns by previous First Ladies or the luxury watches frequently seen on the wrists of billionaire political figures.

Redefining the First Lady Role

Regardless of the price tag, Duwaji’s style choice signaled a departure from the traditional, polished “political spouse” archetype. As a successful illustrator whose work has appeared in The New Yorker and the Tate Modern, Duwaji has long embraced an “art-world chic” aesthetic. By choosing independent and diverse designers—such as a brown coat from the Palestinian-Lebanese label Renaissance Renaissance for the public ceremony—she is using her platform to spotlight global and marginalized talent.

As Mayor Mamdani begins a term characterized by “audacious” government intervention and a push for affordability, the “boot controversy” serves as an early lesson in the intense visibility of the modern mayoralty. For a younger generation of New Yorkers, Duwaji’s mix of vintage, rented, and high-concept fashion may not be a sign of elitism, but rather a reflection of a contemporary, eco-conscious city.