Fatima Bhutto criticises Melania Trump's outfit choice during African tour

US First Lady came under fire for wearing a white pith helmet, due to its association with colonial rule

US First Lady Melania Trump was welcomed by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and his wife, Entissar, on Saturday after she flew in from Kenya as part of her first solo African trip.

The day she arrived in Cairo, Trump wore slacks and a tie as she stepped off the plane, where she proceeded to the presidential palace.

However, some noted that the menswear look was a pointed political statement in a country that has been ranked worst for women's rights out of all Arab nations.

"For me this a fascinating fashion statement for a country with a very poor record on women’s rights. In the politics of fashion realm, she’s sending a message: Women are equal," CNN reporter Kate Bennett tweeted.

. @FLOTUS steps off the plane in Egypt wearing a menswear-inspired look, complete with necktie. For me this a fascinating fashion statement for a country with a very poor record on women’s rights. In the politics of fashion realm, she’s sending a message: Women are equal. pic.twitter.com/WA04VwDHV1

— Kate Bennett (@KateBennett_DC) October 6, 2018

The 36-year-old writer, Fatima Bhutto, denounced the tie and responded to Bennet: “In the politics of fashion realm”? Is this for real? Melania helps Egyptian women by wearing a tie? Whitesplainers, read a book sometime. Egyptian women have fought braver battles than most, they don’t need your ties."

“In the politics of fashion realm”? Is this for real? Melania helps Egyptian women by wearing a tie?Whitesplainers, read a book sometime. Egyptian women have fought braver battles than most, they don’t need your ties. https://t.co/g5As5tUmY9

— fatima bhutto 🇵🇸🇱🇧 (@fbhutto) October 6, 2018

As pictures surfaced of her tour, the US First Lady was then heavily criticised for wearing a white pith helmet, due to its association with colonial rule.

“That pith helmet you have carried was used by colonialists during the dark days. Doesn’t sit well with us Africans. Who advised you?” one person tweeted.

Bhutto yet again took to Twitter to slam Trump and wrote, "In the politics of the fashion realm she's sending a message: colonialism never ended and is as trendy as ever"

"In the politics of the fashion realm she's sending a message: colonialism never ended and is as trendy as ever" pic.twitter.com/yyWl5JZL49

— fatima bhutto 🇵🇸🇱🇧 (@fbhutto) October 6, 2018

However, during a conclusive press conference, Trump responded to the criticism and commented, "You know what, we just completed an amazing trip. We went to Ghana, we went to Malawi, Kenya, here we are in Egypt."

"I want to talk about my trip and not what about what I wear," Trump told reporters. "It's very important what we do, what I'm doing with U.S. aid, and what I do with my initiatives, and I wish people would focus on what I do, not what I wear," she further added.

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