When Rishi Sunak donned the once-fashionable Adidas Sambas, known for their iconic three stripes, during an interview at Downing Street, the fashion world shook. The Sambas, once a statement on the streets, became a political symbol no one wanted to be associated with.
This is the perfect example of a political event shifting the discourse of a fashionable item. Sunak’s decision to wear his Sambas that day may have irrevocably changed the popularity of a well-loved shoe. This, of course, had nothing to do with his shoes and everything to do with his politics.
The politician wore a white Brother Vellies gown with a striking red message across the back.
On the opposite end of the scale, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) at the 2021 MET Gala was just one instance of many in which a fashion event constructed political discourse. The politician wore a white Brother Vellies gown with a striking red message across the back: "Tax the Rich." It was clear where AOC stood politically, turning up to an elite, A-lister event and making a statement on elitism and class inequalities.
Though impactful, this political statement was drenched in controversy, and some people believed it damaged AOC’s brand as a ‘politician of the people.’ With many taking to Twitter to criticise the fashion statement, political commentator Ana Navarro-Cárdenas wrote "Not an @aoc hater. But come on, going to an event for the super-rich with ‘tax the rich’ written on your ass, won’t change a thing. It’s a stunt to justify her presence at a fancy shin-dig that doesn’t match her political persona."
It has never been more clear that fashion can be used as a political weapon.
More recently, with the 2024 presidential election, there has been further evidence of fashion intertwining with politics. Trump supporters wore their bright-red MAGA caps like pins of pride, while Kamala Harris was viewed as a style icon for professional women because of her unique suits and subtle nods to sustainable fashion.
It seems that in contemporary society, fashion and politics are more closely interlinked than ever before. Style choices are increasingly alluding to political stances, while politicians are playing a significant role in driving the political narratives around certain fashion items. It has never been more clear that fashion can be used as a political weapon. Clothes can tell stories and make powerful statements on certain socio-political issues; it's time we recognise this potential and stop underestimating the impact of fashion on politics.
