STYLE

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There's a long history of women wearing white, specifically "Suffragette White." Recently, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris made the stage for her victory speech in an all-white ensemble. It's iconic, and we will tell you why. 

Fashion has been an instrumental part of American politics, especially for women. It can be used to send a message or make a statement. The color white has left a legacy to honor women's political activism and to work towards a better future. 

So, what is suffragette white? 

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In the early 1900s, women banded together to support the women's suffrage movement in a decades-long fight for women to gain the right to vote. They lobbyed, participated in parades and marched in rebellious fashion: wearing all-white. 

As the movement grew, The Suffragettes chose white as their signature color (along with purple and gold). Any woman of any race or economic status could afford the clothing. This made the movement accesible to *every* woman. 

Wearing white made The Suffragettes stand out against men, especially in black-and-white photography. "Suffragette White" became the signature color for women across the United States to make a statement, stand in unity and advocate for *all* women. 

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Today, Suffragette White has made it's way into political fashion from Congress to the Vice-President Elect. 

In 2019, the the Democratic women of Congress remade the same effect in all-white outfits at the State of the Union Address. 

That same year, AOC (Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez), the youngest woman to *ever* be elected to Congress, made a stand-out appearance in a white pantsuit with her signature red lipstick. 

I wore all-white today to honor the women who paved the path before me, and for all the women yet to come.

From suffragettes to Shirley Chisholm, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the mothers of the movement. ⬇️ https://t.co/GBfSSYxbek

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 4, 2019

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@aoc)

This year, Kamala Harris, the first *ever* woman Vice President-elect, turned her fashion into symbolism. 

Her white suit was a mark of unity and gratefulness. The Suffragettes made this feat possible, along with women across the nation who exercised their right to vote in this year's election.

Her acceptance speech marked *many* firsts: the first woman *and* the first woman of color to be elected as Vice President of the United States. Kamala's outfit shows that she's aware of her strengths as a woman in power, and she will use it fearlessly. 

Suffragette White is an ode to the courageous suffragettes that came before us, and the movement forward as women continue to make political history—maybe you will too.  

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by Allie Lijewski | 11/30/2020