As election day approaches, the final presidential debate took place on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Hillary Clinton made a patriotic statement without words while audiences gathered to see their candidates argue about their potential as presidents.
Story by Brooke Lynn Decker
Clinton’s three wardrobe selections that appeared throughout the debates are credited to Ralph Lauren, a highly-regarded American fashion designer. His label is an American staple, and he may have just won Clinton the unofficial superlative of best dressed politician.
The variety of pantsuits reveals that women’s professional-wear consists of more styles than just tweed skirts and nude pantyhose. In fact, Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel first introduced this concept to women’s fashion in the 1920s. Restricting dresses and corsets were abandoned, and a comfortable lifestyle was adopted with the trouser pant.
While this movement in women’s clothing boasted masculine features, the new silhouette struggled with acceptance in American culture. In modern times, it is enlightening to see the first female presidential candidate nominated by a major party grace the stage in what was once an unconventional feminine approach.
Debate #1
Fashion invoked a slight controversy after September’s first debate, when Clinton and Trump appeared to wear opposite colors than the one that resides with their party affiliation. Nevertheless, conspiracy theorists halted when Clinton stunned the crowd in an all-red pantsuit. Paired with black kitten heels and a glamorous red lip, Clinton’s professional flair perfectly represented that of a leading lady.
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Debate #2
Clinton fearlessly appeared at the second debate clad in a navy blue Ralph Lauren suit with white lapels, a crew neck underneath and silver earrings to complement the ensemble. She completed the look with stylish low black heels.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Debate #3
Clinton dressed for the job she wants by appearing Oval Office ready. Perfectly tailored in an all-white Ralph creation with oversized buttons detailing the front and gold accessories completing the ensemble, the democratic candidate made an impression on fashion.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Beyond the sake of vanity, this outfit references the suffragist movement. Purple, gold, and white served as the official colors of the National Woman’s Party that emerged in 1916. This group formed directly after the Congressional Union sponsored a Chicago convention for American women that worked towards voting rights. An excerpt from the mission statement for the Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage suggests that wearing “white, the emblem of purity, symbolizes the quality of our purpose.”
Courtesy of USA Today.
While Clinton received backlash for excluding the traditional American flag pin from her wardrobe, it can be argued that she displayed her patriotism with creativity. Her pantsuits hold historic meaning and bear red, white and blue. Ralph Lauren perpetuates Chanel’s idea of masculine shapes and mobility in women’s everyday wear. This approach was translated to Clinton’s appearance at the debates. The history behind fashion’s role in politics should be considered and the modern feminist movement can be recognized through clothing.
