Virginia tradition calls for morning suits at an inauguration. But Spanberger switched things up
January 17, 2026
Virginia’s governors traditionally wear morning suits for their inaugurations. But for her swearing-in on Saturday, Gov. Abigail Spanberger, the first woman to fill that role, dressed in white, the color of women’s suffrage. According to “A Guide to Virginia Protocol and Traditions,” males in the official party wear morning coats, formal daytime suits with long tails, and women wear dark suits for the inauguration. The new governor’s white outfit, which included a long, white coat with gold buttons paired with white gloves, appeared to be a nod to the women’s suffrage movement that led to American women securing the right to vote.