Stylist Decodes Message Behind Kamala Harris' Debate Night Look

The presidential debate took place between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. For Harris' first official debate with Trump, the former attorney donned a tailored black suit layered with a white blouse underneath that featured an elegant pussy bow collar. Throughout her campaign, Harris has upgraded her signature pantsuit look by leaning toward vibrant colors and patterns that she shied away from in the past. For instance, the vice president has appeared in an array of purples and blues, but her ongoing stunning style transformation continues to surprise us. Harris returned to neutrals for her debate night look, proving her fashion versatility, and everyone is curious if this was a strategic choice on her end or a matter of formality?

To decode the message behind Harris' practical pantsuit, Glam spoke to Dejeuné Harris, personal stylist and founder of Your Style Is Forever, who reveals that there is much to be gleaned from this deliberate shift in style. "Kamala Harris didn't just show up — she suited up" Dejeuné exclusively shares with Glam. "Her black tailored suit was more than just a fashion choice; it was a power move." The stylist breaks it down even further to help us understand the intention behind this seemingly simple ensemble.

Kamala Harris' stylist, Leslie Fremar, has worked with an impressive list of Hollywood celebs, including Charlize Theron, Jennifer Connelly, and Taylor Russell. Many of Fremar's style choices convey an understated elegance that she has carried into Harris' wardrobe.

"As a stylist, I see how that sleek, minimalist look said, 'No distractions, no nonsense,'" personal stylist Dejeuné Harris shares exclusively with Glam. "The clean lines gave her a polished, sharp vibe, while the black kept it classic and commanding." This much is clear from the simplistic design of the pantsuit and the black-and-white color scheme. However, Fremar succeeds in preventing the minimalistic feel from stepping into stuffy office suit territory thanks to Vice President Harris' accessories, hair, and signature mauve lipstick.

Harris complemented the midnight black ensemble with dainty gold bracelets, silver rings, and her go-to pearl stud earrings — one of 2024's popular jewelry trends. And let's not forget her voluminous bouncy blowout, which frames her face in feathered layers. Together, it's challenging to find fault in Vice President Harris' stylish debate look, as it serves its purpose well by leaving a sophisticated yet humble impression on everyone around her.

No one can deny that Vice President Kamala Harris has stepped up her wardrobe in recent years — a tricky feat considering there are only so many ways to style a pantsuit. In this regard, it's safe to say that she has mastered the art of political power dressing with an effortlessness that anyone would envy. Harris' ability to take a lilac purple blazer set and turn it into a power suit is a skill, and the same applies to her first 2024 debate look, as she transformed what might have been an unoriginal co-ord into a statement suit that's impressive enough to send folks scrambling for outfit details.

"She wasn't there to make a fashion statement — she was there to make a point," stylist Dejeuné Harris tells Glam. "And that outfit? It said, 'I'm here to handle business.'" Indeed, her debate outfit was chic and classy, and it was a fitting choice for the professional setting. As personal stylist Dejeuné pointed out, Vice President Harris stood at the podium to debate her policies, not make a fashion statement. At the end of the day, Harris' newfound appreciation for bold cobalt blue and dusty pink suits would have distracted from the purpose of her appearance that day. That said, Kamala Harris' campaign trail looks indicate that she's capable of balancing style and professionalism.