Kamala Harris Becomes the First Female Vice President of the United States! What Does Her All-White Outfit in Her Victory Speech Represent? [Precious.jp]
This column is a full English translation of the article contributed to Precious.jp on November 13th, 2020.
The World Cheers for the Woman Who Shattered the Glass Ceiling
Kamala Harris Becomes the First Female Vice President of the United States!
What Does Her All-White Outfit in Her Victory Speech Represent?
Recently, it was confirmed that Kamala Harris would become the first female, first Black, and first Asian-American Vice President of the United States. She shattered the glass ceiling, and on Saturday, November 7, 2020, she gave her victory speech. What did she wear for this significant moment? We will explore the meaning behind her all-white outfit, the significance of her bow-tie blouse, and the reason she always wears pearls, along with the message she sent to women.
On Saturday, November 7, 2020, in the United States, Joe Biden was confirmed as President-elect, and Kamala Harris as Vice President-elect.
At that moment, the streets of New York erupted with joy, applause filled the air, and car horns blared. That night, Harris gave her victory speech ahead of Biden.
Kamala Harris, the first female, first Black, and first Asian-American to become Vice President-elect, appeared in an ivory-white pantsuit paired with a matching silk bow-tie blouse. Up until then, for public appearances such as her vice-presidential nomination, campaign rallies, and the vice-presidential debate, she had favored dark, basic colors. She was known for wearing Converse sneakers during rallies for an active look, but for her victory speech, she opted for elegant nude pumps.
The Significance Behind Her All-White Outfit
The all-white ensemble carries significant meaning. In the early 20th century, suffragettes fighting for women’s voting rights wore white clothing to symbolize their cause. Kamala Harris paid homage to them with her choice. This harks back to our recent memory of Hillary Clinton, who wore a white pantsuit when she became the first female presidential nominee in 2016. Harris's choice of ivory-white beautifully complemented her warm-toned brown skin and bright demeanor, highlighting her intelligence and dignity.
Three Key Elements of Harris’s Victory Speech Style
We will now delve into the three key elements that amplified the message of her all-white attire: the bow-tie blouse, pearls, and the choice of designer.
1. Bow-Tie Blouse: The Uniform of Professional Women
The bow-tie blouse is considered one of the uniforms of professional women, often seen as the female version of a necktie. It has long been associated with Margaret Thatcher, the first female Prime Minister of the UK. Going forward, it will also be known as the blouse worn by Kamala Harris, the first female, Black, and Asian-American Vice President-elect during her victory speech.
2. Pearls: A Symbol of Kamala Harris
Pearls have long been a staple in the fashion of many women involved in politics, including First Ladies. Harris, who has worn pearls since her college days, was often seen with various pearl jewelry during the presidential campaign. This is significant as she is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA), the first sorority for African-American women, symbolized by pearls. On her victory speech night, she wore vintage-style pearl earrings. While she did not wear her usual pearl necklace due to the bow-tie blouse, the sheen of her ivory silk blouse evoked the essence of pearls.
3. Designer Choice: Embodying Intelligence and Elegance
Harris’s choice of an ivory-white suit designed by Carolina Herrera, a New York-based designer, is notable. Carolina Herrera has dressed many First Ladies, including Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, and Melania Trump. The pantsuit Harris wore featured a straight-line design, lacking curvilinear femininity but exuding elegance and superior craftsmanship, highlighting her radiant presence the moment she appeared.
The Psychology of Clothing (Enclothed Cognition) of Kamala Harris, the Woman Who Made History
Kamala Harris made history by becoming the first female, Black, and Asian-American Vice President-elect, breaking the long-unbreakable glass ceiling. The moment brought not only joy but also significant resolve. Such occasions, especially on a night when the world was watching, demonstrate the "psychology of clothing" (enclothed cognition), where attire instills confidence and courage in the wearer, reinforcing their identity and mission.
Dressing up for such a significant occasion is not merely about fashion or trends. It’s about conveying a commitment to represent the nation and its people, leaving a historical mark alongside the words spoken in her speech. Her big smile and all-white attire showed homage to her predecessors and her resolve. The most resonant line in her speech gave many a bright hope for the future:
"But while I may be the first woman in this office, I won’t be the last. Because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities."
We look forward to Kamala Harris’s continued success as the first female, Black, and Asian-American Vice President-elect of the United States.