Earlier in the week, I felt compelled to address the burning question of, “what message does a female presidential candidate send through her choice of clothing (translation: bland pants suit).” Somewhere, a hungry Ph.D. student is wondering if she can push this topic through her committee. I doubt it. So today, let’s continue in a related direction by trying to understand the wardrobe (did you notice that wardrobe begins with 'war' - I think we are on to something) colors that work best for the candidate and resonate with voters.
I’d love to consult with Kate Middleton who chooses great colors and has mastered the Art-Of-The-Wardrobe, except for those droopy, silly hemlines, but she has not yet responded to my inquiry. I also turned to Google and asked the question, "How can I tell what color looks good on a person?" They said I have to look at the veins on the inside of Kamala's wrist to know whether she is 'Warm' or 'Cool' because that dictates the flattering hues. Examining Kamala's wrist? Secret Service and all, I don’t think that’s likely.
Finally, I realized that I have an expert in my family, so I texted my daughter Steph. She knows everything there is to know about make-up, PRODUCTS, under-eye concealer and our topic today – clothing color choice.
Steph surmises Kamala is a “Warm”, but was uncertain whether she is a Warm Autumn or a Warm Spring. Either way, Steph had excellent advice:
1. Do not wear red, although that color communicates passion and would look good on Kamala, it also says aggression.
2. Do not wear gold because that is not ‘of the people’ and anyway, Warm Autumns don’t look great in that color. Also, skip pink and green, AKA sorority colors; pink is too sweet. Furthermore, stay away from orange; it’s been done.
moving along
3. Do wear blue because it is good for Warm Autumns and communicates stability, calm and wisdom; blue is a welcoming color.
4. Do wear brown (personally I think brown is a mistake but I’m trying hard to be objective) because it says warm, trustworthy, stable and durable. I would add mousey and boring and unphotogenic. Kamala chose a blue outfit and a brown jacket for her Vogue cover – eh.
5. Do consider white and beige. These convey purity and neutrality (yeah, very political traits). Geraldine Ferraro wore a white blazer when she accepted the nomination for VP and Hillary also wore several white pantsuits; enough said.
I’ve picked out two outfits that I think will work. They clearly say welcome to all constituents.
<<<<<to appeal to the older voter
>>>>> and to the younger voter
Not The Trip We Planned will be published by Koehler in March, 2025. Now I'm wondering what I'll be wearing in the book. No one asked me. I think I'm a "Warm Autumn" but some days, I'm definitely a "Cold Winter".
As your long-time, long-distance friend, Chickie, you know I will take you on about fashion!
And even though we've helped each other through key shopping challenges of the life course (job interviews, maternity, mother of the bride, ...), trading outfits between us was never likely. :)
I LOVE the Vogue cover outfit--it isn't white only, it has pockets, blue would hide a coffee spill, AND comfortable shoes!! I am all in on fun sneakers for work and play.
One of my childhood events (not really a trauma but the kind of memory that stings even when you've outgrown the desire) is that my mother would not buy me high-top sneakers like all my neighborhood friends had because they were "boy"…