Suits are a universal symbol of power, denoting authority and professionalism. This association is so widespread, it sets the typical look for a U.S. presidential candidate that few have deviated from. Now more than ever, image is crucial to presidential candidates and those in politics. Women in politics know this importance more than anyone. In a political landscape that to this day pushes out and heavily scrutinizes women and especially women of color, it is critical to visually project an image of power.
Color is a common visual cue. Blue suits on democrats, red ties on republicans, and a lot of patriotic red white and blue all around. These patterns could been seen in the fashion at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in August of this year. The DNC was also filled with pinks and greens to give support and a nod to candidate Kamala Harris’ sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, which is the oldest historically black sorority. Women have been wearing these colors to celebrate the new firsts they hope to see if Harris is elected.
Another big factor is formality. A candidate that dresses casually will often come under fire; Obama was criticized for wearing an “unpresidential” tan suit during his presidency. Dress too expensively, however, and a candidate is seen as unrelatable and frivolous. Vice President Harris has notably paired blazers with jeans at points during her campaign in order to strike a balance, and presidents in the past have been photographed in more casual wear in an attempt to show a more down-to-earth side to themselves.
Simplicity can also be beneficial. September’s presidential debate between former president Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris saw both candidates dressed in formal yet familiar suits in serious colors. At an event where the focus is on what the candidates are saying, flashy styling choices can serve as distractions.
Women in politics are also forced to consider the balance between appearing feminine and likable, and being seen as assertive and powerful in a field that automatically assumes the opposite. One will not often see women running for leading positions wearing skirts and dresses, with the popular choice being to instead sport the pantsuit. The presidential pantsuit can be personalized, however. Throughout Hillary Clinton’s campaign, she was known for her brightly colored wardrobe, and similarly other women in politics have paired pantsuits with pearls and ruffles.
The styling choices of politicians serve as a way to project an image and subtly indicate character. But sometimes, these choices will end up on the front cover of magazines, like with vice president Kamala Harris’ appearance in Vogue this month. This feature served to align Vogue with Harris and her campaign as well as portray her in a way that both displays power and femininity. Central to the photo was the gold brooch of the American flag pinned to her lapel, under the text, “The candidate for our times”.