After four years, Vice President Kamala Harris is back on the campaign trail. Following President Joe Biden’s departure from the presidential race on July 21 and several key endorsements, including from Biden himself, Harris has taken on the role of Democratic nominee. She’s embraced the campaign life with aplomb, seamlessly integrating campaign events into her existing obligations, making it clear that her style remains steadfast. But there was no need for a shake-up in the first place. Her familiar look offers a comforting sense of consistency in the face of rapid change, both within the country and the political landscape.
Harris generally sticks to her tried-and-true classics: a tailored pantsuit in neutrals or jewel tones, a pointy-toe pump, and a sharp, strong silhouette, achieved through shoulder pads and straight-leg or tapered trousers. While she is always seen sporting an American flag pin on her lapel, Harris has also incorporated pearls into her campaign wardrobe. These pearls are a subtle tribute to her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, and symbolize the twenty founders of the sisterhood.
For her first major campaign event since announcing her candidacy, Harris was joined at her Atlanta rally by senators Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock, former Georgia state representative Stacey Abrams, and rappers Megan Thee Stallion and Quavo. For the occasion, she opted for a powder blue suit over a white top, nude pointy-toe pumps, and her signature two-strand Irene Neuwirth pearl necklace. Her first appearance with running mate Tim Walz, at a rally in Philadelphia, saw Harris in a navy suit—an American flag pin affixed to one of the lapels—and a blush bow blouse.
The campaign trail has provided a deeper insight into the Democratic nominee’s style choices, showcasing her tortoiseshell sunglasses from Persol, which she wore deplaning Air Force Two in Las Vegas, to the tan Chloé suit she wore to night one of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago—a nod to President Obama’s “controversial” suiting of yore. Similarly to her DNC appearances, she opted for a sleek suit for her September 10 debate against Donald Trump on ABC. In a white blouse knotted at the neck, worn with a well-tailored black suit, and black pointy-toe pumps, Harris is more than dressing for the job she wants. She is making a statement about her leadership style and the values she represents.
Through her wardrobe, Harris communicates a sense of poise, authority, and continuity. She embraces classic, tailored pieces, while subtly incorporating elements that reflect her personal history and values. This approach resonates with her core constituency and offers a reassuring presence in a time of uncertainty. Her style serves as a visual representation of her message: a message of stability, strength, and progress.
