Janice R. Andrews
On the first day of the Democratic National Convention, Kamala Harris, the Democratic contender for president, surprised both her supporters and detractors with an unexpected presence. When Harris entered the platform wearing a tan suit, what was intended to be a straightforward address honouring President Joe Biden became a topic of curiosity and discussion.
There were two main reasons why this outfit decision was unexpected. First off, Harris was not anticipated to make a big splash until she formally accepted the party’s candidacy for president on Thursday, along with Governor Tim Walz, her choice for vice president. Rather, she arrived early on stage, giving a brief speech to the conference and highlighting her endorsement of Biden. The second, and maybe more significant, thing to note was her outfit choice—a brown suit.
The Tan Suit: An Icon of Politics
The importance of a tan suit is not missed on those who are acquainted with American political history. The last time a garment of the kind made news was when former President Barack Obama donned a tan suit to a press conference about Iraq and Syria in August of 2014. The response was fast and harsh; Lou Dobbs of Fox News called the suit “unpresidential,” and Congressman Peter King claimed it was a “metaphor for his lack of seriousness.” Obama used the situation as an opportunity for humour, joking about the suit in his public remarks.
Harris’ decision to wear a tan suit is unlikely to have been an accident given this background. She would have meticulously prepared every element of her convention look, which makes her fashion statement intentional and maybe significant.
Reacts on Social Media
As anticipated, remarks on Harris’ attire erupted on social media. Commentators generally agreed that Harris was discreetly making fun of the Republican outcry about Obama’s tan suit. One person commented on Threads, saying, “The troll game is strong,” and another said, “I yelled and then had to explain to my kid why the tan suit was an expert-level choice for her.”
The suit, which Harris had previously worn and was designed by the French brand Chloé and made by Chemena Kamali, became a hot subject very fast. Whether the outfit was meant to be a jibe at her rivals or not, it undoubtedly enhanced Harris’s reputation as someone who understands pop culture and knows how to capitalise on it.
A Strategic Step and a Nod to Obama
It’s difficult to overlook the similarities between Obama and Harris. Similar to Obama’s 2008 campaign, Harris’s bears historical significance as the first Black woman and the first woman of South Asian heritage to be selected as a major party contender for president. Harris connected herself to Obama’s legacy by donning a tan suit, in addition to making a statement about her own character and political approach. It was a shrewd move that brought her closer to the public and demonstrated her political acumen.
Establishing the Convention’s Tone
The convention’s curtain-raiser was Harris’s arrival in the tan suit. It was a subdued yet powerful way to establish the mood for the next few days. Harris made a daring but understated decision that suggests she is taking her time and preparing for her acceptance speech later this week. It was a departure from the customary red, white, and blue outfits that are usually seen at political conventions, indicating that Harris is more concerned with telling unique tales and expressing himself than with fitting in with the status quo.
Using Fashion to Express Politics
On the first day of the convention, Harris wasn’t the only one to utilise clothing as a vehicle for political speech. For instance, Hillary Clinton referenced her own historic victory speech at the 2016 Democratic convention, where she wore a white pantsuit in homage to the suffragist movement, by donning a cream tweed jacket and white trousers. Similarly striking was Jill Biden, who wore a gunmetal blue sequin Ralph Lauren dress that she had previously worn in 2022 to a White House celebration honouring her husband’s favourite poem by poet Seamus Heaney, “when hope and history rhyme.”
Other noteworthy fashion choices were made by Representative Jasmine Crockett of Texas, who wore a bold black pantsuit with white piping and a prominent brooch, a stark contrast to the traditional political attire, and Peggy Flanagan, the lieutenant governor of Minnesota, who wore a dress and jacket by Indigenous designer Jamie Okuma.
A Digression from Conventional Wisdom
Harris and the other speakers didn’t stick to the usual wardrobe selections. They represented a departure from the traditional political garb of bygone eras, providing a more intimate and expressive approach. In stark contrast to the more typical clothes seen during the Republican convention in July, this break from the usual brought a lively and unpredictable aspect to the proceedings.
Harris saw more in the tan outfit than merely a style statement. It was a calculated action meant to maintain her as the focal point of the discussion without her having to speak again. Harris was the centre of attention on the first night of the convention because every time the camera moved to her, smiling and waving at the audience, the costume prompted more rumours and analysis.
