Article Summary –
Kamala Harris’ choice of clothing, specifically her signature monochrome suits and pearl necklaces, serve as powerful symbols reflecting her political and social values. Through her fashion, she communicates messages about women’s empowerment, bipartisanship, Black heritage, and LGBTQ+ rights, often referencing historical figures and movements. By wearing pieces from Black and minority designers, Harris amplifies underrepresented voices, intertwining her political beliefs with her sartorial choices.
Harris is a prominent supporter of the personal uniform trend—neutral, relatable, and powerful. This simple approach suits her demanding role.
Perhaps due to her uniform approach to clothing, Harris has largely avoided the fashion scrutiny that’s plagued woman politicians in the past. But that doesn’t mean her outfits have lacked thought. Here are six times her clothing told a powerful story without Harris needing to say a word.
The Pearls
As a student at Howard University, Harris joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, the first African American sorority founded in the US. Its leadership is referred to as “The Twenty Pearls,” and pearls remain a symbol for its members. For Inauguration Day 2021, Harris asked Puerto Rican designer Wilfredo Rosado to design her a special pearl necklace, symbolizing “toughness and also fashion.”
Harris has many favorite pearl necklaces, including a gumball link strand, and a traditional pearl necklace punctuated throughout with turquoise, both designed by Irene Neuwirth. She’s frequently seen wearing a gold and white mother-of-pearl necklace by Marco Bicego at significant events.
Monochrome
Costume designer and fashion historian Shelby Ivey Christie called attention to Harris’ penchant for monochrome in a post on X. “Monochromatic dressing in the Black community is very purposeful + is/was a tool used to communicate political + spiritual beliefs,” she wrote.
Harris’ monochrome palette conveys a calm, collected, powerful neutrality in her businesswear. This style choice indicates she wants the focus on her actions, not her clothing.
In addition to her pearls on Inauguration Day 2021, Harris wore a purple monochromatic shift dress and overcoat designed by Black fashion designer Christopher John Rogers. In an Instagram post, Rogers expressed honor for being part of this historic moment.
White & Purple
The color of Harris’ 2021 Inauguration Day outfit was likely no accident. Purple has long been seen as the color of bipartisanship, combining Democratic blue with Republican red. In 2016, Hillary Clinton notably wore purple while delivering her concession speech after losing the presidency to Donald Trump. As an attendee at the 2021 inauguration, Clinton again wore purple, as did Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
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