The Democratic National Convention is underway this week at the United Center in Chicago. Running until Thursday, the convention will gather thousands of delegates and alternates to approve a party platform for the 2024 presidential election; Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz are also set to formally accept the party’s nominations.
The DNC kicked off with words from President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden on Monday, while remarks from former President Barack Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama, and the nominees are expected over the course of the four-day convention
While the four-day convention will focus on drumming up voter enthusiasm for Harris and Walz—and underscoring the Democratic Party’s key issues throughout the election cycle—the DNC will also be chock-full of strategic fashion choices. Politicians have long used personal style to relay campaign and policy messaging.
For day one, Dr. Jill Biden chose a lilac double-breasted blazer by Ralph Lauren paired with white trousers; later in the evening, she changed into a sequined blue dress by the designer. Spotlighting American talent through her wardrobe is a common display of patriotism from the first lady, who has also worn designs by Sergio Hudson, Christian Siriano, Markarian, and more during her tenure.
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden wears a Ralph Lauren dress. She has worn the designer many times while in office, championing American-grown talent.
Photo: Getty Images
Vice President Kamala Harris took to the stage in a sleek tan two-piece suit by Chloé. (Technically, per Chloé, “coconut brown.”) Back in 2014, then-President Barack Obama faced controversy for wearing a suit in a similar color, with many questioning whether the shade was “appropriate” for office. Harris’s decision to wear tan perhaps counters that sentiment, and is a fitting choice for a candidate running on a platform of modern, progressive ideals.
Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota Peggy Flanagan, meanwhile, spoke while wearing a printed blazer and dress by Jamie Okuma, a leading contemporary Indigenous designer and artist. By showing her support for Okuma, Flanagan—who is Ojibwe—was also acknowledging Native citizens, who are often key swing-state voters during election years.
With a heavy emphasis on ”passing the torch,” the First and Second Daughters also nodded to the theme with their fashion choices. Ashley Biden wore in a sleek suffragette-white Gabriela Hearst suit while Ella Emhoff opted for a Helmut Lang top and the viral camo Harris Walz baseball cap.
Below, Vogue explores more of the can’t-miss fashion moments from the Democratic National Convention, and the thoughtful choices behind them.