SS 28-The Power of Color: Kamala Harris’s Choice at the 2024 DNC Nomination
The power of color is inescapable. Color affects our behavior, moods, and thoughts. Our reactions to colors are often deeply personal and rooted in our own experiences.
Many wondered what color Kamala Harris would wear when accepting her presidential candidacy. Among the options, white seemed the most likely.
Hillary Clinton, the first female presidential candidate in history, wore a white Ralph Lauren suit at the DNC in 2016, paying homage to the women's suffrage movement, where white has been a symbolic color since the early 1900s. Clinton started a trend, with many women in politics following suit.
During the recent Democratic convention, presenters like Ashley Biden, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham wore white.
It seemed reasonable to expect Kamala Harris would follow this course.
However, she chose a different path. Instead of white, Harris wore blue.
This choice was no accident; it was a deliberate move, steeped in symbolism and history, to present herself as a pragmatic leader capable of uniting all Americans behind a “new way forward.” This decision, made by her team, including her new stylist Leslie Fremar, was carefully considered.
Her clothing choice expressed to the nation that it's not about being a woman or a man. It is about being in charge with authority, elegance, and intelligence.
It is about feeling comfortable and confident in an outfit with no fuss and frills. Her message is about getting things done.
In her own words, Harris said, “With this election, our nation has a precious, fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism, and divisive battles of the past. A chance to chart a new way forward. Not as members of any one party or faction, but as Americans.” Her blue attire underscored this message, embodying the hope for a united future.
The Meaning of Blue
Blue is a color associated with stability, trust, and confidence—qualities essential for a leader, especially in times of division and uncertainty. By choosing blue, Harris communicates that she is ready to lead with calm and reason, to bring people together under a banner of unity.
Blue is also the color of the Democratic Party, subtly reinforcing her commitment to its values while appealing to a broader audience that longs for unity and new leadership. At the end of the convention, you see her with her husband Douglas Emhoff, Tim Walz, and his wife Gwen all wearing blue. That was not a coincidence.
The Historical Significance of White
Harris’s choice of blue also invites us to reflect on the history of another powerful color in political fashion: white.
White has long been associated with the women’s suffrage movement. It was one of the official colors of the National Woman’s Party, symbolizing purity and the steadfastness of purpose. Women throughout history, from suffragists to modern-day politicians, have worn white to signal their commitment to equality and justice.
By choosing blue instead of the traditional white, Harris positioned herself within this historical narrative while also distinguishing her leadership style.
She presented herself as a deliberate and forceful leader, aware of the historical weight of her choices, but also as someone charting a path that is both respectful of the past and innovative for the future.
Fashion as a Political Tool
Fashion in politics is far from random. If it’s done right, it is a calculated tool used to communicate messages that resonate with the public. Leaders throughout history have used clothing to convey their values, intentions, and affiliations.
For women in politics, these choices are even more significant.
Vanessa Friedman, chief fashion critic for The New York Times writes: “Women’s choices in matter of dress and grooming are always more fraught than men’s. We have so many more decisions to make (hair, makeup, jewelry, heel height, pants or skirts) and hence so many possible avenues of visual communication — and, of course, miscommunication. And particularly for young women in the professional world, the daily task of constructing a look at once attractive and “serious” can feel like traversing a minefield.”
Harris’s choice to wear blue was layered with meaning. It demonstrated that she understands the power of fashion in contemporary politics and is willing to leverage it. By doing so, she not only connected with the historical narrative of female empowerment but also projected an image of a leader who is thoughtful, pragmatic, and ready to lead the nation.
A New Standard of Leadership
As Dominique and François Gaulme noted in their book “Power & Style: A World History of Politics and Style,” clothing has always been a way to communicate the distribution of political power.
Kamala Harris’s fashion choices continue this tradition, particularly her decision to wear blue. Yet, they are also something more—they are a declaration of a new standard of leadership, one that is inclusive, forward-looking, and conscious of the powerful messages conveyed through every stitch and color.
In choosing blue, Harris didn’t just dress for the occasion; she dressed for the future she envisions—a future where all Americans can come together under a shared vision, led by a president who listens, unites, and leads with common sense.