Kamala Harris’s Tan Suit Surprise

When Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, took the stage on Monday night on Day 1 of the Democratic National Convention, it was surprising for two reasons.

First, that she had popped up to speak at all, rather than simply waiting her official turn to accept her party’s official nomination on Thursday and taking her seat as the guest of honor alongside her vice-presidential pick, Gov. Tim Walz, and their families.

And second, that she had popped up to speak (albeit briefly, and in praise of President Biden) while wearing a tan suit.

A tan suit!

After all, there are few garments less likely to show up at the public performances that are the major party presidential conventions. The usual dress code is one of straightforward red, white and blue: suits and ties, dresses, skirt suits. The point is patriotism in the most obvious sense.

The last time a tan suit made political waves, it was also late August, and the person wearing it was President Barack Obama. The occasion was a news conference on Iraq and Syria, but the response from a large swath of the watching public was shock! horror! at the outfit. Peter King, the Republican congressman from New York, said he thought “the suit was a metaphor for his lack of seriousness.” Lou Dobbs of Fox News called it “unpresidential.” It was such a sticky topic that jokes about the choice became part of Mr. Obama’s repertoire. They also became part of the late-night arsenal.