5 most controversial outfits of Kamala Harris: From Dolce & Gabbana to rhinestone rainbow jacket

Kamala Harris' fashion choices, from rhinestone jackets to Dolce & Gabbana, have sparked controversy and headlines since her entry into national politics
PUBLISHED JUL 30, 2024
Kamala Harris' outfits from luxury brands sparked controversy since the start of her vice presidential journey (Ken Cedeno-Pool/Getty Images, Getty Images)
Kamala Harris' outfits from luxury brands sparked controversy since the start of her vice presidential journey (Ken Cedeno-Pool/Getty Images, Getty Images)

Dolce & Gabbana to rainbow jacket: Most controversial outfits of Kamala Harris

(Justin Sullivan, Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
From bedazzled rainbow jackets to Dolce & Gabbana outfits, Kamala Harris made headlines with her fashion choices (Justin Sullivan, Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Vice President Kamala Harris is known for her fashion choices. However, it has resulted in controversy at times over her laid-back attires and choice of non-American luxury brands. The Democratic presidential nominee, who started her career as a prosecutor, hardly paid attention to what she wore and opted for utilitarian pantsuits often before plunging into politics. Since her entry into national politics, she was forced to exit her comfort zone. Here is a look at her most controversial outfits.

1. Rhinestone rainbow jacket

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 30: Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) waves to the crowd as she rides in a car during the SF Pride Parade on June 30, 2019 in San Francisco, California. Sen. Harris spent the weekend in the San Francisco Bay Area where she attended a fundraiser and the annual SF Pride Parade. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Kamala Harris wore the rhinestone rainbow jacket for the San Francisco Pride Parade in 2019 (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Harris explicitly stated her support for the LGBTQ by appearing at the San Francisco Pride Parade in 2019 wearing a rainbow flag-colored jacket. The denim-sleeved jacket was filled with rhinestones. Harris greeted the crowds from a convertible red sports car driven by same-sex couple Kris Perry and Sandy Tier.

2. White suffragette suit

WILMINGTON, DELAWARE - NOVEMBER 07: Vice President-elect Kamala Harris takes the stage at the Chase Center before President-elect Joe Biden's address to the nation November 07, 2020 in Wilmington, Delaware. After four days of counting the high volume of mail-in ballots in key battleground states due to the coronavirus pandemic, the race was called for Biden after a contentious election battle against incumbent Republican President Donald Trump. (Photo by Andrew Harnik-Pool/Getty Images)
Kamala Harris appeared in a white suffragette suit after the Democratic victory in the 2020 presidential election (Andrew Harnik-Pool/Getty Images)

Harris appeared on stage with Joe Biden in Wilmington, Delaware, in November 2020 after the duo's victory in the presidential election wearing a White suffragette suit. The Carolina Herrera two-piece in silk emphasized the history of the suffragette movement. The New York Times' Vanessa Friedman made a symbolic analysis of the outfit, writing, "The pussy-bow blouse: the quintessential working woman's uniform in the years when they began to flood into the professional sphere; the female version of the tie; the power accessory of Margaret Thatcher, the first female British prime minister."

3. Casual Vogue cover

(@voguemagazine/X)
Kamala Harris' Vogue cover look created an uproar on social media (@voguemagazine/X)

Harris's outfit for the 2021 February cover of Vogue was the most controversial of all time. In her laid-back look, the vice president opted for a dark Donald Deal jacket and skinny pants. She completed the look with Converse sneakers. The fashion magazine drew flak for representing the No 2 in power in a low-effort attire.

4. Dolce & Gabbana pick

(Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Kamala Harris' wearing Dolce & Gabbana in Janary 2021 sparked backlash (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Harris often found herself in hot water for wearing the controversial Dolce & Gabbana after the label came under scrutiny for being racially offensive. Despite the backlash against the Italian luxury brand, the vice president wore a grey checked blazer and trouser suit for the swearing ceremony of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in January 2021. In several Instagram posts, Vittoria Vignone, who manages the popular website Kamala's Closet, tracking Harris's outfits, questioned the choice of Dolce & Gabbana: "Was it an oversight on the part of her team?"

5. Timberland shoes

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 15: Democratic U.S. Vice Presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) (R) waves as she heads to an airplane at Atlantic Aviation after attending a community roundtable discussing the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on Latino families at the Rafael Rivera Community Center on September 15, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Harris' first visit to Nevada since accepting the vice-presidential nomination comes two days after U.S. President Donald Trump was criticized for holding an indoor campaign event attended by thousands of people in the battleground state. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Kamala Harris wore Timberland shoes while vising disaster sites after the 2020 California wildfire (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Kamala Harris' style became controversial even when she chose to wear something practical. While visiting disaster sites in California affected by the wildfire devastation in September 2020, she wore a piece of Timberland shoes. Some social media users sarcastically appreciated her decision to wear something other than a $1000 pair of heels, as per the entertainment website Nicki Swift.

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