Employees at a fashionable clothing brand favored by Republicans in Washington, D.C., are privately struggling with what it means to serve some of their most recognizable customers, according to a new report.
An employee at Tuckernuck told The Daily Beast that workers at the brand’s D.C. location are engaged in a “constant back and forth” about sharing space with powerful political figures whose views they strongly oppose.
“For me and others in D.C., it is kind of a constant back and forth, sharing a space with these people,” the employee said, speaking anonymously. “It’s not appropriate when you’re serving these people to address what you’re kind of thinking in your head. We all have to keep the lights on somehow.”
Republican candidate for New Hampshire’s 1st District congressional seat Karoline Leavitt of Hampton votes at Winnacunnet High School Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. She is challenging two-term incumbent Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas of Manchester. Mastergalleryyearend Falcigno 48
The employee singled out White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, a frequent wearer of the brand. “I have a hard time, you know, with Karoline,” the worker said, adding that Leavitt’s public role runs directly counter to their personal values.
The Daily Beast reported that Leavitt, along with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, has been spotted shopping at Tuckernuck’s Washington store. Leavitt was photographed wearing the brand’s Black Metallic Bouclé Mini Dress in April, while Second Lady Usha Vance wore Tuckernuck’s Black Jacquard Puff Sleeve Midi Darcy Dress in May during a Vatican visit.
Karoline Leavitt proclaims victory in the New Hampshire Republican primary in U.S. House District 1 at The Community Oven restaurant in Hampton Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022. Leavitt Hampton Party
Tuckernuck’s popularity among conservatives has been well documented. Axios reported in October that the brand has become a Capitol Hill staple, particularly its red Jackie dress, which went viral during the 2024 Republican National Convention.
“First sighting of the red Tuckernuck dress at @GOPconvention: Monday at 9:18am,” White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly posted on social media that July.
Capitol Hill reporter Victoria Knight echoed the sentiment days earlier, joking about the dress’s ubiquity. “Someone needs to do an exposé on the absolute chokehold the Tuckernuck shift dress has on the Capitol Hill girlies rn,” she wrote, a post that drew more than 1,000 likes.
Despite the brand’s association with Republican power circles, Tuckernuck’s leadership has insisted it is politically neutral. Co-founder Madeline Grayson told Axios last fall that the Jackie dress — and the brand itself — appeals to customers across the ideological spectrum.
“We’re obviously not at all a political brand,” Grayson said. “People of all ages, all political affiliations, all parts of the country are wearing the dress.”
