Republican Hair Trend Reflects Timeless Elegance and Political Influence

Influenced by quiet luxury fashion, the hairstyle is seen as timeless, feminine, and professional.

Television figure Tomi Lahren, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, and Donald Trump's daughter, Tiffany Trump, all have one noticeable thing in common.

No, it's not the fact that they're prominent members of the Republican Party. It's their blonde, bouncy, blown-out hair.

The three conservative figures are among many in their orbit who regularly wear the classic hairstyle. In fact, the look has become so synonymous with these women that everyone from hairstylists to observers has taken to simply calling it Republican hair.

Despite its partisan moniker, the hairstyle is not reserved for news pundits and Republican politicians -- especially in 2025. As two hairstylists told Business Insider, you'll probably see it everywhere this year.

Renee Benedict, a hairstylist who works in Kansas City, Missouri, and Washington, DC, described Republican hair to BI as a classic blowout with long, rounded layers and weight at the bottom.

"When I think of this style, it's one that shows you have thick, healthy hair. That's really the goal, and you want to see shape," she said.

That flowing, lightly-curled form can be styled onto short haircuts but is most recognizable on longer tresses -- especially when they're blonde.

That's why it was no surprise that Tiffany Trump, Lara Trump, and Carrie Underwood wore nearly the same hairstyle at Donald Trump's inauguration.

DC hairstylist Bethany O'Connell said the most Republican-esque shades are "high-maintenance" and "old-money driven." In other words, they're bright, bleached, and require salon visits to maintain.

"The clean girl aesthetic was slicked back and harsh for so long," Benedict said. "Feminine softness is really starting to come back."

"Republican hair" is the ultimate contrast, and Benedict says it's even better at portraying how much you care about your appearance.

"It's polished, refined, professional," Benedict said of the Republican-adjacent hair. "You want to look like you have your stuff together and like you care. You want to look like you invest in your appearance. The biggest part of it is the effort."

The Republican-style blowout matches the political party's core values in many ways: It's traditional, gendered, and subtly portrays wealth.

And more Republicans in office means that conservative styles are becoming more prominent and influential in the media than they have been over the last four years.

O'Connell told BI that while some people in DC specifically request "Republican hair" and bring photos of politicians as references, most seek celebrity-style blowouts and "Barbie blonde."

"Here in DC, it's a lot of Margot Robbie," O'Connell said.

Still, to buy in, you have to spend. Coloring services are expensive -- they can cost upward of $200 -- and require regular maintenance appointments.

It's also worth noting that fashion trends have shifted to suit wealth and modesty in recent years.

Quiet luxury accessories and old-money outfits are just two examples of trends -- both influenced by politics and the economy, whether fashion fans realize it or not -- that were especially popular in 2023 and 2024.

Of course, the traditional, old-money look isn't reserved for Republicans. One of the most common sources of inspiration for the trend was former first lady Jackie Kennedy Onassis, who was married to a Democratic president.

However, it's clear that fashion and politics in the US are changing. "Hair has to change with it," Benedict said.