The Can’t-Miss Fashion Moments From the Democratic National Convention

The Democratic National Convention wrapped up at the United Center in Chicago on Thursday, gathering thousands of delegates and alternates to approve a party platform for the 2024 presidential election and formally nominate Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

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 followed later in the week.

While the four-day convention focused on drumming up voter enthusiasm for Harris and Walz—and underscoring the Democratic Party’s key issues this election cycle—the DNC was also chock-full of strategic fashion choices. Politicians have long used personal style to relay campaign and policy messaging, and this week was no different.

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 husband’s term.

Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota Peggy Flanagan, meanwhile, spoke in 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—also acknowledged Native citizens, who are often key swing-state voters during election years.

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

On day two, Vice President Kamala Harris took the stage in a sleek tan two-piece suit by Chloé. (Technically, the shade was “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 slyly challenged that sentiment.

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 a sleek suffragette-white Gabriela Hearst suit while among Ella Emhoff’s looks this week was a white Helmut Lang top—and the viral camo Harris-Walz baseball cap.

The week’s performers also met the moment with their looks. On Tuesday, Patti LaBelle opted for a white coat festooned with black lace, while on Wednesday, Maren Morris hit the stage in a white skirt suit decorated with large rhinestones.

On the final day of the convention, attendees and speakers alike wore white in honor of the women’s suffrage movement—among them Kerry Washington and Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Vice President Harris, however, took an alternate route, wearing an impeccably tailored suit—again by Chloé—with a navy blue pussybow blouse.

Below, Vogue explores more of the can’t-miss fashion moments from the Democratic National Convention—and the thoughtful choices behind them.