By Mari Sato
In recent years, fashion has played an increasingly significant role in politics as a means of communication. Politicians utilize the power of semiotics to convey values and ideologies that align with their political groups. With Election Day approaching, I wanted to examine how each candidate’s outfit choices and favored brands reflect their political identity and influence on public perception.
Vice President and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris’s signature style combines professional elegance with personal expression. Harris is often spotted wearing a strand of pearls, which many assume is a nod to her time in Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. During campaign appearances, you can count on Harris wearing her power pumps, also known as 70mm ‘Lisa’ Manolo Blahnik heels. On the road, the vice president often dawns more casual footwear such as Converse.
Of course, her most famous fashion moment during the campaign trail has been her custom tan suit from the French brand Chloé. The choice to wear a neutral rather than a patriotic color caused a media frenzy. Reporters and people online attempted to interpret the meaning behind this choice. Some believe it was a reference to former President Obama’s tan suit controversy when he wore a tan suit to a press conference regarding the US response to ISIS in Syria. Others saw it as a way to lean into the ‘Kamala is brat, coconut meme.’ Regardless of what the vice president’s intentions were, the fashion choice caused extensive public discussion and effectively served as a campaign tactic to amplify her influence in the media.
Former President Donald Trump has maintained his signature style for years. Trump favors dark suits, usually navy, with bold red ties to emphasize his power and authority. However, it can be hard to focus on Trump’s style when his wife Melania has such a fabulous, iconic sense of style. The former president has two favored labels for suits: Brioni and Martin Greenfield Clothiers. Brioni is an Italian luxury menswear label, that Trump has favored for their craftsmanship. According to The New York Times, Trump stated, “I wear Brioni suits, which I buy off the rack.” Martin Greenfield Clothiers is an American brand, the late Martin Greenfield famously suited other household names such as Sinatra, Shaq and former president Obama.
By consistently sticking to this style, Trump emphasizes an image of power and reliability. His trademark style has been adopted by many other leaders in his administration and has even been dubbed the ‘MAGA uniform.’ Notably, Trump’s VP running mate, JD Vance has transformed his style, from button-ups and jeans to crisp tailored suits inspired by the former president’s signature look. As a result, Trump’s distinctive style has not only shaped his own political identity but has also influenced the broader fashion narrative within the Republican party.
The clothing choices of political candidates are up to interpretation, and they will likely never come out and expose the intention behind their choices. Nevertheless, it is important to acknowledge the crucial role that fashion plays in public perception. Notably, both candidates have opted for non-American brands, which raises questions about the role of nationalism in political fashion choices. As fashion continues to impact political identity, it serves as a perspective that voters can interpret and engage with to help guide their understanding of each candidate’s values during the electoral process.
Cover artwork by Staff Member Emma Glaser
