Whether you agree with her policies or not, there’s one unique component of Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign that’s been expertly executed: her wardrobe. Second term for former President despite results of 2024 elections Donald TrumpVice President Harris and himself fashion choices They left a lasting impression. The well-thought-out costumes worn by the Democratic presidential candidate ooze nobility.

Harris’s clothing typically features a uniform he made himself, usually a silk print. suitlow-heeled shoes or Converse sneakers and some type of pearls, Alpha Kappa Alpha her sorority. Celebrity stylist and tailor duo Matthew and Reginald Reisman describe this as a very modern look. They add that it is something that “radiates power and control.”

His heels reflected a sense of sharpness, professionalism and leadership; his sneakers were comfortable but still serious enough not to undermine his campaign. They may also have resonated with younger audiences who find it casual to wear sneakers to the office, as well as those who don’t wear formal shoes to work.

Despite her colorful background as a woman of Indian and Jamaican descent, flashy and bold colors found no place in her public wardrobe. On the surface, Harris’ look might seem pretty plain. But this way History of Black Fashion Podcast host Taniqua Martin says it’s intentionally simple. The truth is that Harris’ style is full of nuance, especially in his suits.

“She knows that what she puts on her body and her clothes will always be part of the conversation,” Emma McClendon said. assistant professor St. John’s University Department of Fashion Studies explains ESSENCE. “He deals with it very deliberately, but he’s also in this really fun mode. When people peel back different layers of their clothing, they discover little items like this. Coconut brown Chloé suit.” The suit was a nod to the viral ‘coconut tree’ meme.

No matter how standard Harris’ suits look, they’re all loaded Details, especially within the limited color palette and tailoring options. Her shoulders are always padded, not to the point of making a fashion statement, but to sharpen her silhouette and eliminate soft lines. The legs of his pants maintain a straight silhouette and are cut long, enhancing the illusion of height. “There is always something this reveals her gender,” notes McClendon. This usually comes in the form of her blouses peeking out from under her single-breasted jacket, which always has an American flag pinned to the lapel.

“It’s a difficult thing to look comfortable and at ease but also look polished. She also needs to embrace femininity without compromising her authority,” Jonathan Square said. assistant professor Black Visual Culture event was shared at The New School. “She should be able to wear whatever she wants to wear, whether feminine or not, and her authority should not be questioned. But in the misogynistic world we live in, this is a compromise he has. to do.”

Harris has already made history by becoming the first woman, Black and South Asian to become the nation’s Vice President. These identities are also most targeted when it comes to stereotypes They are driven by anchor points of racism, sexism, and misogyny. Attacking a woman because of what she wears is one of the easiest ways to attack her; This could be an attempt to undermine her intelligence, body shame, or legitimize rape culture by being too trendy. Harris’ ability to craft an image that strategically leverages her platform and enhances her aura of power on the global stage is remarkable. She uses her clothes to break down the bias against her as a woman and a black woman in her field.

This uniform is one he has perfected over decades. I’m looking older Harris’ photos prove that she sticks to the same template of classic colors and fabrics. He may have experimented very little in previous years, but he focused on this one. It is reported that with the help of her style team, her style can be appreciated. Leslie Fremar. Fremar could not be reached for comment.

What makes it all work is how Harris remixes gendered elements. According to McClendon, the author Power Mode: The Power of Fashion she “claims this space and asserts femininity while also donning the uniform of a politician, accepting conventions and expectations in a traditionally male-dominated environment.”

He created a public wardrobe around a suit. McClendon explains that this is crucial to Harris’ public persona. He adds that this means she is not wearing traditional feminine clothing. This happens by embracing the elements that push the presidential candidate onto the playing field. Another point he made is very striking. McClendon added that the campaign aims to foster a “sense of joy and optimism” through its clothing.

Clothing plays an incredibly important role in politics. This is evident in the way former First Ladies style fashion. Michelle Obama To Jackie Kennedy, allowing candidates to make statements without saying anything. We saw the former president on the campaign trail Donald Trump Use clothing as props, ditching his typically poorly tailored suits for a construction vest to troll President Biden’s comment about Trump supporters being “trash”. Harris’s signature template became a shield.

“Women wear suits to symbolize power, but the suit itself is essentially men’s clothing. Historically, women wore suits to show their understanding and acceptance of men. sense of power,” notes McClendon. “(Harris’s) choice of suits with accessories, layering, and color shows that he is showing us ways to grow. I see him taking that tradition, adapting it, evolving it, and showing a new way forward.”

Whether or not you agree with all of his policies, his style is worth examining, especially for his presidential campaign. Their ensemble offers a masterclass in dressing for power. They also offer fashion designers the opportunity to “pass on their beliefs, pass on their values, and be a part of history at the same time,” Martin says.

Reviews of Harris’ appearance are slowly starting to increase. A criticism It was because her clothes did not evoke feminine energy. For Square, this is reminiscent of when Hillary Clinton was criticized for her Gucci suit worth more than $10,000. Reisman says women will always be scrutinized more than men for the clothes they wear, but the numbers are often inaccurate. “Men spend so much money on suits, even those ridiculously priced pens they love to carry around and brag about to each other, that we never bat an eyelid. “Also, in terms of suits, men’s tailoring alone traditionally costs much more than women’s,” says Matthew Reisman, highlighting the hidden costs.

Shirley Chisholm may be the first Black woman to run for office, but whether it’s because of her identity or the current political context, it’s hard to say whether anyone is in Harris’ unique position. She shaped it for herself alongside her style team, while laying the foundation for a new precedent for how women dress in politics. This is not because no woman has ever worn a suit, but because of the precision in executing the look at the level of visibility.

Despite the current state of the election, it was clear how Harris used her clothing to convey a message throughout the presidential campaign. Vice President Harris used her attire to highlight her leadership and fend off the mosaic of stereotypes often used against her race and gender. “This will go down in history no matter what,” Martin says.