- Fashion is used as a symbol of social and political movements, from civil rights and political campaigns to modern commentary.
- Highly publicized haute couture events like New York City’s annual Met Gala take designers’ and public figures’ political statements onto the runway.
- From coordinated uniforms to individual style choices, clothing continues to signal identity and affiliation, shaping both personal expression and the values of an era.
When a politician steps on stage, the audience notices their crisp suit and tie well before they even open their mouth. Fashion is the first impression people have of any public figure, shaping public perception. Beyond the individual, fashion is also used as a symbol of social and political movements, from civil rights and political campaigns to modern commentary. Clothing can communicate identity and beliefs without words.
“Fashion is the visual language that we all speak with the clothes we wear.” West Valley College lead fashion instructor Tony Murray said.
Throughout history, fashion has reflected political resistance. During opposition to British colonial rule in India, hand-spun textile, khadi, became a symbol of self-sufficiency through the Swadeshi movement. The material was then popularized by social activist Mahatma Gandhi.
Meanwhile, the Civil Rights Movement used fashion as a propellant of social change. Crafting a sleek and elegant image, African Americans often wore pristinely tailored suits and dresses. In the 1970s, the focus of the Civil Rights Movement turned to Black power: natural hair in the form of afros was a symbol of cultural celebration.
Just as clothing can convey solidarity, it can be used to discriminate. In the 1940s, the Nazi regime forced Jewish people to wear a yellow Star of David to isolate and control them. On the other hand, the Nazi paramilitary wing Sturmabteilung wore brown shirts and ties to create a visual uniformity. Eliminating individuality reinforced the “us vs. them” mentality that is often used in dictatorships. It also introduced another effect; confirmation bias causing people to negatively view someone’s fashion based on other things they already didn’t like.
“It’s the opposite of the halo effect,” Murray said. “People who might not be in agreement with someone’s political position, might now have a negative view toward something as simple as what they wore.”
The rise of television in the mid-20th century drove fashion’s role in political communication. During the 1960 presidential election between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon, televised debates emphasized visual presentation; Kennedy’s youthful image became popular among many voters.
“The way that a candidate presents themselves can affect how people perceive them,” said Chelsea Guo, senior, Politics Club president and Indesign co-president. “There’s a reason why we always see politicians in full suit and tie, even when they’re not actively on the campaign trail or in office. You’ll often see them dressed well because we want our public officials to give off the image that they are capable.”
In the widely-publicized 2026 mayoral election in New York City, candidate Zohran Mamdani’s wife Rama Duwaji drew attention for stylistic choices that highlight independent designers and cultural identity. Notably, at Mamdani’s mayoral inauguration, Duwaji donned a coat created by Palestinian-Lebanese designer Cynthia Merhej.
Highly publicized haute couture events like New York City’s annual Met Gala take designers’ and public figures’ political statements onto the runway. The 2025 theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” referred to African American tailoring traditions used in the Civil Rights movement. Other attempts to send political signals take shape in makeup and fashion trends. Balancing traditional gender roles and professionalism, some conservative public figures favor modest silhouettes. For instance, former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley wore skirts often interpreted as an expression of traditional femininity.
Clothing can also function as a widely recognizable symbol. Most notably, President Donald Trump’s red hats bear the slogan “Make America Great Again” and have become markers of his conservative-based campaign.
“Like anybody else, politicians are trying to build a brand,” Guo said. “When they identify themselves through specific colors, styles or trademarks, people will flock to that.”
Fashion functions as a visual language within politics. From coordinated uniforms to individual style choices, clothing continues to signal identity and affiliation, shaping both personal expression and the values of an era.
