Jill Biden Made a Case for Polka Dots With Her Olympics Opening Ceremony Dress

The Tokyo Olympic Games have officially begun, and first lady Jill Biden attended the Opening Ceremony wearing a snappy polka-dot dress—and more importantly, a mask.

As this year’s Olympic Games are closed to spectators, Biden was one of the few in the stands and was joined by French president Emmanuel Macron, with whom she chatted. JustJared reports this is Biden’s first solo trip abroad as first lady. She and President Joe Biden recently opened up to Vogue about how travel impacts their marriage. “We have to figure out a way—and I mean this sincerely—to be able to steal time for one another. I think that’s the deal,” said the commander-in-chief. 

For the Olympics Opening Ceremony, FLOTUS chose a white dress with black polka dots, a blue face mask with her name embroidered on it, and lots of pearls: a multistrand necklace, a bracelet, and matching earrings. She completed the look with dark sling-back heels and a small clutch purse.

Though perhaps not as spectacular as other Opening Ceremonies, given the circumstances surrounding COVID-19, the event was no doubt a special one. For the first time in Olympics history, almost every country had at least one female flag-bearer, thanks to a new ruling from the International Olympic Committee allowing each nation to use two flag bearers. “With 49% female participation, Tokyo 2020 will be the first gender-equal Olympic Games ever,” said the IOC. (So we’re fully calling it Tokyo 2020 even though it’s 2021? Okie dokie, then—if you say so.) 

In addition to cheering on Team USA, Jill Biden, Ed.D., has recently been promoting the COVID-19 vaccines and, in an interview with our own editor-in-chief, the value of a community college education. “People should know that community college is a stepping stone to whatever they want to do in the future,” Dr. Biden says. “These schools provide such a good, strong foundations. They’re very nurturing.”