Beyond mere aesthetics, driven by the countless trends bubbling up daily, fashion is a powerful form of expression, particularly when it comes to politics. Kamala Harris, the Vice President of the United States and now a presidential candidate, understands this well. At the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Monday, August 19th, Harris took center stage, with the spotlight shining on her as she officially launched her presidential campaign. For this pivotal moment, Harris opted for a beige suit designed by Chloé. While the outfit appeared simple at first glance, it may hold a deeper political meaning – conveyed through fashion.
To understand this possibility, we need to rewind to 2014 when former President Barack Obama wore a suit of a similar shade during a televised address about the U.S. response to terrorist attacks in Syria. At the time, staunchly Republican channels like FOX News saw the attire as a major controversy, declaring it “unpresidential” and even unforgivable. Obama’s advisor countered, stating the President was simply “wearing his summer suit.” This suit became known as the “tan suit.” Today, this controversy is widely perceived as a clear case of political persecution, especially since past U.S. presidents have worn suits of similar shades during serious discussions without facing such outrage.
However, Harris’s suit choice may also reflect the fact that her speech at the convention was unplanned. This suggests that the attire might not have been meticulously chosen for her big moment, but rather as a more casual outfit. Regardless, her appearance (and her suit!) became a hot topic on X (formerly Twitter) during the event, further fueling her presidential run.
