{"id":210710,"date":"2024-10-24T12:41:24","date_gmt":"2024-10-24T16:41:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/?p=210710"},"modified":"2024-10-29T09:52:43","modified_gmt":"2024-10-29T13:52:43","slug":"kamala-harris-wins-the-style-vote-according-to-montclair-state-university-fashion-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/2024\/10\/24\/kamala-harris-wins-the-style-vote-according-to-montclair-state-university-fashion-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Kamala Harris Wins the Style Vote According to Montclair State University Fashion Students"},"content":{"rendered":"

Montclair State University\u00a0Fashion Design and Merchandising<\/a> students have spoken, and Vice President Kamala Harris emerges as the fashion winner over her Republican opponent, former President Donald J. Trump, as the 2024 race for the White House heats up. The students, drawing on their studies in classes Fashion Proactive: 1990 to Today and Fashion History: Prehistory to 1800, as well as Culture and Appearance, analyzed various outfits worn by the candidates at campaign events and in formal settings. According to recent polls, the election remains close, but when it comes to fashion, Harris takes the lead.<\/p>\n

Under the guidance of Professor Abby Lillethun, students examined the messaging behind fashion choices, discussing how Harris and Trump use their attire to communicate. Lillethun encouraged them to assess without bias: \u201cWe want to hear your opinion as a fashion scholar. How do you see the candidates presenting themselves? Do you think it\u2019s effective, given what you know about appearance as a communication tool?\u201d<\/p>\n

What Fashion Students Say About Kamala Harris and Donald Trump\u2019s Style<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Arriana Johnson:\u00a0\u201cKamala Harris is making it known that you don\u2019t always have to wear a black pantsuit or a blue or red tie. You can change it up and still be professional and show that you are serious about the job.\u201d<\/p>\n

Julie Halma\u00a0pointed out the contrast in approach: \u201cTrump\u2019s suit is basically the same look every time, it feels very repetitive and very stiff, whereas Kamala has variety; you see more color in her clothing, and that just comes off as more friendly and appealing.\u201d<\/p>\n

The creativity in Harris\u2019 fashion was appreciated by\u00a0Grace Mills, who said, \u201cIt\u2019s interesting to see something new; the fashions are fun and something we haven\u2019t seen before. Her fashion choices show she is willing to be creative but stay within the bounds of dressing for her job.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jacqueline Mancia Hernandez\u00a0added: \u201cHer variety in clothing makes her livelier and more enthusiastic. When I see Trump in his regular suit, it looks the same and serious; it\u2019s hard to tell what debate or event a photo is from. With Kamala Harris, you can tell where she was\u00a0because of her different clothing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A
A student\u2019s screen shows her analysis on Kamala Harris\u2019 professional attire and use of heels as a \u201cpower symbol\u201d of femininity.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Harris also earned style points for going from loose-fitting suits while in office to more classic, form-fitting suits while on the campaign trial, all while staying on trend; being comfortable in a variety of clothing, including Converse Chuck Taylor kicks, bright colors and her\u00a0signature pearls<\/a>, a nod to her sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha and sisterhood.<\/p>\n

Zuriel Vargas said he appreciates that Harris can be casual, noting that her Chuck Taylor\u2019s and a T-shirt \u201cconveys the idea that she\u2019s modest, as well as coming from the same background as most people,\u201d while adding a blazer suggests an air of distinction.<\/p>\n

Lillethun\u2019s analysis supported that of her students. \u201cI\u2019m not sure I\u2019ve seen a picture of a first lady in tennis shoes. I think she shows a little youthful energy there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ProfessorAbby
Professor Abby Lillethun discusses Kamala Harris\u2019 pantsuits and the messaging behind them.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Politics of Pantsuits<\/strong><\/h2>\n

While presidential candidates and politicians have long been critiqued on appearances, students explored the deeper implications of\u00a0Harris\u2019 pantsuits<\/a>\u00a0in class discussions. Vargas pointed out that Harris\u2019 choice of shoulder-padded pantsuit jackets conveys power: \u201cThe shoulder padding creates this frame that\u2019s powerful and signals that she\u2019s on the same playing field.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yamila Chege reflected on the gender dynamics in fashion: \u201cThey\u2019re not even comfortable with having a woman [in the race], let alone a woman in a dress.\u201d The pressure for women in politics to conform was echoed by Haniyah Khurman, who suggested Harris avoids dresses to keep the focus on her message: \u201cHer appearance would come more into focus if she wore dresses or skirts. Her body, makeup, hair \u2013 all of that would come into question.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lillethun agreed that Harris, an attorney by profession, prefers \u201cthe focus to be on her documented capacities rather than her physical attributes since women are so often commented upon relative to their physical attributes.\u201d Her more tailored suits, she said, convey \u201cI am a woman, and I can be president, along with I am solid as a rock.\u201d<\/p>\n

With regard to formal wear, the professor concurred with a student who pointed out that a long-sleeve sequined gown was toned down but in a fun color. \u201cIt\u2019s kind of become a thing at state dinners for the first lady and vice president to wear solid sequins\u2026,\u201d Lilllithun said, \u201cFor the reasons that you\u2019re stating, it evokes that formality without the details of lace or anything feminine, like florals or ruffles.\u201d The students and professor agreed that Harris could have worn more flattering accessories, such as a silver handbag and high heels, rather than black.<\/p>\n

\"A
Professor Abby Lillethun discusses Donald Trump\u2019s signature red ties.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dissecting Donald Trump\u2019s Signature Look<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Lillethun, also a fashion historian and author, noted that women have traditionally had more opportunities for experimenting and accessorizing, while men in Western culture \u2013 at least for the last 200 years \u2013 have adhered to more narrow fashion codes. While Harris varies her attire, Trump sticks to his signature style, a move that students also analyzed closely. Kelvin Leyda observed that Trump\u2019s long red ties and blue suits are part of his brand. Mills agreed, saying, \u201cThat\u2019s what you think of when you think of Donald Trump.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to Nelson Dela Cruz, the long tie could be a deliberate choice to make him appear more slender: \u201cA shorter tie makes him look bigger.\u201d [According to former New Jersey Governor\u00a0Chris Christie\u2019s memoir<\/a>, Trump suggested the governor wear longer ties to make him look thinner.]<\/p>\n

The class also noted that Trump\u2019s style is emblematic of the American flag, as he often pairs red ties with blue suits and white shirts. His avoidance of patterns and bright colors reinforces a sense of consistency and tradition, as evidenced by the notch lapel on his quality single-breasted business suits. \u201cFor Mr. Trump, the red, white and blue has become a signature style,\u201d Lillethun agreed. \u201cIt\u2019s all he wears when he\u2019s presenting in a debate or on a stage. His brand is very solid there.\u201d<\/p>\n

The students and professor also discussed interpretations of Trump always wearing open suit jackets and never taming his tie with a clip. \u201cHe\u2019s doing it on purpose. He doesn\u2019t like the buttoned up look,\u201d Lillethun said. \u201cThere could be internal, personal reasons as well, about his body shape or size or something but it\u2019s definitely, in a certain sense, being inviting. \u2018I\u2019m a regular guy.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

About his ties often blowing in the wind, one student suggested it was a \u201cpower move,\u201d signaling that Trump is \u201cfree flowing\u201d and signals a strong sense of comfort. Or \u201canother interpretation may be that he can be easily buffeted by the wind,\u201d Lillethun said.<\/p>\n

\"Student
Displaying a manipulated image in which he shortened Donald Trump\u2019s tie to support his theory, senior Fashion Studies student Nelson Dela Cruz said the former president may wear longer ties to make him appear slimmer.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Montclair fashion students were clear that while both candidates use fashion to communicate, Harris\u2019 diverse wardrobe sends a message of inclusivity and creativity that resonates more strongly with voters, particularly younger voters, in today\u2019s political climate.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe more positive qualities that students are mentioning reflects that she\u2019s participating in our life, meaning American life, because sometimes Trump\u2019s stiff and unchanging look doesn\u2019t reflect what our lives are like,\u201d Lillethun said. \u201cWe\u2019re negotiating our roles, responsibilities and activities constantly, which Kamala seems to be doing, and she does it with aplomb because she always looks well dressed, even in her pink tee-shirt and white jeans.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Student
Fashion student Bianca Pinto gestures as she discusses the presidential candidates\u2019 styles.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I\u2019m a ______, tell me more\u2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Prospective Student \/ Parent:\u00a0<\/strong>Learn more about\u00a0Fashion Design and Merchandising<\/a>\u00a0in the\u00a0College of the Arts<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0plan a visit to our campus<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0take the first step in applying to become a Red Hawk!<\/a><\/p>\n

Journalist:\u00a0<\/strong>Contact the\u00a0Media Relations team<\/a>\u00a0for assets or to schedule an interview about this topic.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Students in fashion history classes break down the styles of the 2024 presidential- candidates, revealing how clothing choices communicate messages<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37,"featured_media":210711,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-210710","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-and-announcements","category-210_art-design-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/210710","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/37"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=210710"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/210710\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":210723,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/210710\/revisions\/210723"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/210711"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=210710"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=210710"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=210710"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}