Fashion Trends and Presidential Elections. Although it may seem like they have nothing in common, they are more in sync with each other than they appear to be. When studying fashion trends throughout United States history, it becomes clear that the styles and trends that are in during the year of that election usually reflect the winning candidate.
Back in the 1960s when everyone’s hair was long, miniskirts were a staple, and bright colors of pants an
d blouses lined the streets. The 60s were for change in fashion when designers started branching out and became less conservative than in the decades prior. This aligned with United States politics at the time as it was at the height of the Civil Rights Movement and when America elected the Democratic candidate, John F. Kennedy. Kennedy was the youngest president to be elected and was also progressive. He was a supporter of the Civil Rights Act, as well as a supporter of the space race.
Fast-forward to 1968 when Republican President Richard Nixon was elected. The miniskirts faded from major fashion magazines and colors began to dim as the 70s rolled in. Colors such as beige, mustard yellow, and brown began to gain more popularity. Although there were still the bright and groovy hippie fashion trends, the more “conservative” styles were trending such as sharp blazers and turtlenecks, hence, the election of Nixon.
With the 1968 election effectively ending the Democrats’ reign over American politics, we saw more conservative styles rise again. Flash forward to 1980, the election of Ronald Reagan, and the rise of oversized blazers and pantsuits. Alongside that, the “Preppy” style became popular, and the rise of Polo shirts skyrocketed. Conservative and wealthy American fashion was making a comeback.
In the early 90s, Bill Clinton was sworn into the presidential office in 1993 and his push and belief for diversity can be backed up by the fashion of the time. Then, the 90s brought in a mix of all different styles from grunge, preppy, sportswear fashion, and even punk. The 90s were a time when fashion was quickly evolving, and trends became popular.
Then, following the tragic events of 9/11 in 2001 and the election of Republican George W. Bush, American fashion made its way back to conservatism. The fashion staple of the time was jeans, in all different styles. Alongside that, American Patriotism clothing became popular as well with the rise of the American flag on T-shirts, shorts, skirts, and sweaters. Wearing the flag is more than a simple fashion statement, but rather a display of values. Even red, white and blue apparel was popular in TV shows. Sabrina The Teenage Witch was one example of wardrobes turning patriotic following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The election of Democrat Barack Obama in 2008 brought back maximalism, bright colors, and bold patterns. Logos and streetwear fashion were also popular during this time. Following the assassination of Osama bin Laden, the American flag continued to be a major element in fashion. The 2010s also brought attention to sustainability issues. Consumers and companies began speaking up about the fashion industry and its effects on the environment.
Finally, a skip in time brings us to the 2020 election. 2020, although a time when we were all cut off from the world, brought out many different fashion trends. Tie-dye, leather, and animal prints defined 2020 fashion. Trends during this period reflected self-expression and individuality. Hence, the election of Democrat President Joe Biden who ran on codifying Roe V. Wade and LGBTQIA+ rights. The fun and bold fashion trends reflected the attitudes of Americans as they switched from a conservative president to a democratic one.
Finally, the 2024 election could have been predicted by the fashion trends of the time. The return of conservative fashion had a major comeback leading up to the November election. Ralph Lauren American flag sweaters, cottagecore milkmaid dresses, and long denim skirts were all tell-tale signs that Donald Trump was going to defeat Kamala Harris in the election.
In conclusion, fashion is a form of expression, so it makes sense that it reflects people’s opinions of the current events of the times. It is an exciting trend to follow in the fashion industry, especially as large elections take place.
