As social groups and classes emerged throughout human history, the power of clothing began to be realized. The type of fabric, pattern, color and accessories a person wore could determine their status and symbolize everything their subordinates look up to but could never have. Today, this is still a status strategy that countries with monarchies use to show off their countries’ riches and past glory. Articles about royal family members highlight their jewelry collections, passed down over centuries or “gifted” by other nations. When else is the perfect time to dazzle the media with their incredible wealth other than during diplomatic events or royal weddings? However, it has caught my attention that the old customs of using fashion as a weapon can also be found in democratic countries worldwide.
Although most democratic leaders do not get a hand-me-down diamond collection, there are many examples of presidents using fashion to make political statements. For instance, since many political parties are associated with certain colors, politicians will often use those colors in their attire to represent their party. One thing that comes to mind is the famous red baseball cap with the words “Make America Great Again,” which was used in former president Donald Trump’s campaign. The red symbolizes the U.S. Republican Party, whereas the Democratic Party claims blue. This has been settled since the 1980s. As the political colors were established, each party’s identity solidified with the general public.
However, political colors have sparked many meaningless controversies, especially when politicians wear colors of the wrong party or clothes not on the usual color palettes. In 2014, former President Obama wore a tan-colored suit at a White House press conference, causing a lot of backlash from the media, especially from supporters of the opposite party. Who would have thought that the color of a suit could be controversial? To most people like myself, a suit is a suit, and unless Obama wore neon pink to meet the president of France, I wouldn’t think twice about it. Apparently, politician’s fashion choice can cause more drama than their actual message.
As we are talking about fashion and politics, we cannot forget about the sexism that is profoundly common in discussions about it. The media loves to praise fashionably dressed female politicians and wives of world leaders, known worldwide as First Ladies in particular. Many have been well-known for being fashion icons, like Jackie Kennedy, who was an American women’s fashion icon in the 1960s. Every country’s media likes to point out which designer brand the First Lady is wearing, where their handbag came from and whether they support designers from their home country.
At the same time, many women in politics have been bashed for wearing unconventional clothing, like four Italian female cabinet members who were heavily criticized for their fashion choices. Ever since the first female senator, Hattie Caraway, was elected in 1932, the media and public were more obsessed with clothing than politics. Because women in the past were ridiculed for wearing skirts and high heels, the first alternative was to wear pantsuits like the male politicians. Many female politicians and businesswomen choose to wear blazers, an article of clothing that creates a more masculine silhouette with wider shoulders that cover the natural body contour. While such (relatively) masculine attire conveys a more confident and professional image, it often creates the perception that femininity is the opposite of confidence and professionalism.
Clothing can easily create a first impression on others. Because we are human, we can sometimes be more guided by emotion and senses than our logic and reason alone. Colors, textures, brand names and silhouettes can unconsciously and consciously evoke various perceptions of someone. And in a country that protects free speech, we may feel especially eager to criticize the appearances of our leaders. However, we must remind ourselves that while fashion in politics can be a strategic tool, it can also negatively overshadow the true nature of one’s deeds and politics. As fashion designer Vera Wang once said, “I want people to see the dress but focus on the woman.”