Zohran Mamdani, a rising political figure, is making waves not only with his policies but with his choice of attire. Often photographed in sharp cut, elegant suits on the campaign trail, Mamdani’s sartorial style is a telling emblem of his malleable identity and ambiguous political orientation. He walks around more in Suitsupply, a European brand known for suits between £400 and £1200. This line embodies his everyman aesthetic—accessible, but not shoddy. This unusual sartorial decision has more meaning than just a fashion statement. It is still significant given his background and his desire to connect with a culturally and demographically diverse electorate.
The political history of suits is deep and contentious. Dress has frequently been at the foreground of political storytelling. Consider the power of Richard Gere’s game-changing Armani suit in “American Gigolo” and Barack Obama’s unforgettable tan suit from August 2014. Angela Merkel has long been known for her colorful, technicolor jackets and colorful slacks. Her daring sartorial standards defy every dress code typically associated with American political discourse. Looking at the evolution of popular suits, regalia has been a largely … 2020 has been an unprecedented year for many reasons. Beyond the Second World War, the death knell for suits had begun to ring. By the 1990s, business casual clothing became the norm, heralding a major cultural and sartorial transformation.
Mamdani’s legal tactic suited his policy vision to a tee. He has worked tirelessly to advocate for a city wide rent freeze and more affordable housing. Rather, it is used as a strategic tool to increase his appeal in a broader swath of voters. He selects mid-market suits to relate to your average citizen. All the while, he manages to maintain a polished presence.
“Since we’re also living in a liberal democracy, politicians want to seem relatable because they’re trying to get your votes.” – Derek Guy
Dr. Matthew Sterling Benson-Strohmayer highlights the implications of attire in politics, stating, “The suit isn’t neutral; historians of empire have long noted that its contemporary origins lie in military or colonial administration.” This observation underscores how clothing can carry historical weight, influencing perceptions based on the wearer’s identity and background.
Mamdani’s mixed heritage and upbringing gives him a unique ability to play cultural politics effectively. According to Kuchta, “That may come in part from Mamdani being a millennial, able to adopt different identities to fit the occasion, but it may be part of his multicultural background, where code-switching between languages, customs and clothing styles is common.” This fluidity is incredibly important in today’s political world, where visual appeal can make or break how voters view a candidate.
Suits have largely turned into this symbol of power and status. Derek Guy notes that one would “never imagine Donald Trump wearing Suitsupply; he’s a Brioni person,” highlighting the distinction between luxury brands and mid-market options. Mamdani’s decision was a very deliberate one, an effort to reach the widest audience possible instead of alienating people with elitism.
The significance of clothing extends beyond mere aesthetics. It often serves as a reflection of societal values and changing norms. Suits have transformed into symbols with an ability to uphold or disrupt long-standing political narratives. That’s the important lesson Jeremy Corbyn hopefully learned. His conclusion was that clothing can clothe a statesman and form a leader’s representation to the world.
Mamdanis black coats — flashy yet functional — are meant to do something much deeper in the political conversation. They are emblematic of a broader progressive governance agenda tied to his deep commitment to social issues and his desire to connect with constituents across backgrounds and states. As he journeys through majority Black and Latinx communities on the campaign trail, all of this lies in his appearance, which is vital to communicating these ideas powerfully.
The relationship between fashion and politics is complex and eye-opening. As the world moves towards an era that rewards authenticity and relatability, politicians such as Mamdani recognize the need to change how they present themselves. The days when a suit was a guaranteed signifier of authority are behind us. Identity in today’s political climate requires more complex vectors of identity.