'The necktie is dead': How US midterm candidates are dressing for votes
As Americans prepare to vote in the US midterm elections, candidates with their eye on Congress are not just competing on policy.
TL;DR
- Candidates are using personal style and clothing to attract attention and project messages, with attire serving as a measure of authenticity and appeal.
- Some candidates, like Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Mary Peltola, embrace relaxed, outdoorsy, or culturally specific styles to connect with their state's identity and working-class voters.
- Others, like Ashley Hinson, opt for bold, patriotic looks, using symbols like the American flag to signal loyalty and appeal to a specific voter base.
- Candidates like James Talarico and Ken Paxton in Texas are adopting similar relaxed styles with cowboy boots, while Abdul El-Sayed uses a minimalist look to convey a message of prioritizing substance over ceremony.
- Former President Donald Trump is highlighted as a master of image, with his consistent power suit and red tie serving as a recognizable signifier of his political affiliation.