Presenting oneself like a presidential candidate is a significant task.

Beyond advocating for their policies, leading candidates must cultivate an image that appeals to millions of Americans. For Vice President Kamala Harris, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, former President Donald Trump, and Ohio Senator JD Vance, it’s crucial to make deliberate fashion choices, according to experts.

“Every item that politicians wear is chosen thoughtfully. They all wake up in the morning and decide what to put on,” explained Jonathan Square, an assistant professor of Black Visual Culture at Parsons School of Design.

Some politicians engage consultants and stylists to enhance their image and narrate their story through clothing. Unlike celebrities who often don extravagant outfits to grab attention, politicians aim to appear more approachable.

“In a campaign, it’s important that people feel connected to you and see you as relatable rather than just another politician asking for their vote,” remarked Dr. Nadia Brown, a government professor at Georgetown University, in an interview with YSL News.

Experts share their thoughts on the fashion choices of these notable candidates:

Harris aims to relate to ‘regular people’

At the Democratic National Convention in August, Harris made a memorable entrance, sporting her signature silk-pressed hair and a tan Chloé pantsuit, which some interpreted as a tribute to former President Barack Obama.

Online, her outfit drew considerable attention, with discussions around the fact that her suit was a shade known as coconut brown. Similar to Hillary Clinton, her fashion choices have garnered significant media coverage throughout her presidential campaign.

“Women endure enormous scrutiny regarding their appearance, and Black women face even more challenges regarding presentation,” noted Victoria Pass, a fashion historian and associate professor at the Maryland Institute College of Art. “There’s a stark difference; you rarely see discussions about Trump’s fashion.”

Historically, women politicians have faced greater obstacles related to their attire. Experts suggest they should balance attractiveness and fashion while avoiding overly expensive clothing. In contrast, men typically stick to a basic suit uniform.

Jonathan Square believes that Harris has successfully shaped a political image that reflects the connection with “ordinary people and practicality.”

Her style, combining classic power suits with feminine touches, has become a hallmark of her wardrobe. For example, during her final appeal to voters in Washington, D.C., she chose a black suit paired with a high-neck blouse. Recently, she showcased vibrant outfits, including a powder blue suit at a conference and a dark purple ensemble while speaking with Oprah Winfrey.

“She often complements her outfits with sneakers too,” Square noted.

In addition to her signature styles, she embraces casual wear like denim jeans, blazers, and Converse sneakers.

“Converse and Timberlands have been a part of her casual looks for some time,” said Hazel Clark, a Fashion Studies professor at Parsons School of Design.

Clark suggested that her choice of these brands sends a message: “I’m just like everyone else. ‘I wear Converse.’ They represent over a century of American culture, reminiscent of versatile icons like the baseball cap.”

Kamala Harris has expressed her love for Chuck Taylors on various occasions. Back in 2018, she shared details about her sneaker collection.

“I have an entire collection of Chuck Taylors: a black leather pair, a white pair, some that lace and some that don’t, versions for hot weather, ones for cold, and platform ones for when I wear a pantsuit,” she mentioned in an interview with The Cut.

For more formal gatherings, she opts for designer outfits, like the custom black sequined gown by LaQuan Smith she wore to the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s annual dinner.

Walz embraces a ‘down-to-earth style’

Since being chosen as Harris’s running mate, Tim Walz has introduced a casual, fatherly style to the campaign. When the governor, a former high school teacher and military vet, joins informal events or collaborates with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, he often sports a camouflage cap and T-shirt.

In a TikTok video featuring him tasting pork chop on a stick, he wore merchandise labeled “Minnesota Grown.” His style leans towards a rugged, outdoor fashion, especially when he’s out hunting, favoring plaid flannel shirts and Carhartt clothing.

Brown noted that Walz embodies the image of an “older Midwestern football coach,” highlighting his past experience coaching in Minnesota.

She mentioned that if he wore a suit like Vance all the time, it would seem disingenuous. It’s not uncommon to see him dressed without a tie or sporting a friendship bracelet.

“I think Walz has a more approachable, folksy style. Although he does wear a suit occasionally, it’s usually more relaxed,” Square added.

The campaign’s Harris-Walz camouflage hat, introduced following his VP nomination, quickly sold out and drew comparisons to Chappell Roan’s merchandise.

When the occasion calls for it, Walz can also dress more formally. During the vice presidential debate, he donned a suit with a blue tie, which The New York Times noted as his “glow-up” when he stepped into the spotlight earlier this summer.

Trump’s fashion is ‘part of his brand’

Donald Trump’s wardrobe is straightforward: he often wears a suit, a white dress shirt, and a tie, complemented by his signature “Make America Great Again” hat, a well-known emblem of his campaign.

Though he occasionally opts for patterned or blue ties, he generally favors his party’s traditional colors.

According to Clark, there’s a consistent image associated with Donald Trump, making it hard to perceive his true personality through his clothing choices.

“We must consider his age and upbringing, which is rooted in a culture where formal attire is customary for men in professional settings. He’s been raised in the business world,” she remarked. “It’s almost like a brand or a costume; if someone else wore a suit and had his hair, we’d still recognize it as Donald Trump.”

Brown added that this distinctive style may not suit every context. For instance, at a casual campaign event in Pennsylvania’s McDonald’s, Trump wore a white button-up shirt, a red tie, and an apron.

“He was handing out fries in a suit that felt out of place for the setting,” she pointed out.

He donned a similar look by sporting a neon orange safety vest while on a customized white garbage truck in Wisconsin, responding to President Joe Biden’s comments about his followers.

Vance’s facial hair would be unusual for vice presidents

Vance typically dresses in a conventional suit while emulating Trump’s fashion choices. At times, he leaves off the blazer and tie, opting instead for a casually unbuttoned shirt.

“I believe that the suits are intentionally designed to be loose and not tailored,” Square suggested. “They appear slightly baggy, which seems deliberate to project that I’m not concerned with fashion or appearances.”

He has also been spotted wearing plaid shirts and jeans, particularly during a summer trip to the Arizona border.

His facial hair has caught public attention as well. Should the Trump-Vance pairing win, he would make history as the first bearded vice president in many years.

In a Fox News interview, Trump remarked that he resembled “a young Abraham Lincoln.” Clark mentioned that Vance’s appearance might resonate with many followers.

“He aligns more closely with what a lot of men in America are wearing nowadays… especially younger men who often sport some facial hair,” she noted.