Over the past week, as Kamala Harris has emerged as the likely Democratic nominee for president, her public appearances have been marked by a high-profile smile, a surge in pop culture references, and numerous endorsements. Yet, one aspect of her presentation remains notably unchanged.

Her wardrobe.

During campaign stops in Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Wilmington, Pittsfield, and Central Florida, Harris has adhered to her signature vice-presidential look: neutral pantsuits in black, dark blue, burgundy, and beige, occasionally accented by salmon pink or baby blue. While the media buzzes with memes and cultural references, Harris has maintained a classic style.

Instead of experimenting with new fashion trends, Harris has stuck with her usual tone-on-tone silk blouses, pearls, and 70-millimeter Manolo Blahnik heels. This conservative style, which once suited her role as the country’s vice president, now prompts questions about its suitability for a presidential contender.

The question arises: Does her current style align with the presidency?

Given that this election could potentially mark several historic firsts—female president, first female president of color, and the first president of South Asian descent—the choice of attire is more than a matter of personal style.

Ashley Allison, CEO of Watering Hole Media and a former Biden-Harris campaign adviser, notes, “How you present yourself as a woman in leadership is a critical consideration.” She emphasizes that Harris is confronting a monumental barrier, and her wardrobe choices are part of that equation.

It’s not merely about adhering to fashion standards or earning Vogue endorsements. Clothing choices often serve as a reflection of public perception, particularly for female candidates, embodying various sentiments and biases voters may hold.

The Barbara Lee Family Foundation has coined this issue as the “imagination barrier,” referring to the traditional image people envision when thinking of a president—usually white, male, and straight. As Amanda Hunter of the Barbara Lee Family Foundation points out, Harris is breaking new ground, essentially defining what a female president looks like.

Harris is adept at using fashion as a statement when it suits her. For example, she wore three Black designers for President Biden’s inauguration and chose a white Carolina Herrera suit to honor trailblazing women during Biden’s victory speech. Her choice to continue with her established wardrobe, however, is a strategic one.

Tammy Haddad, former producer of HBO’s “Veep,” describes Harris’s style as “just the facts, ma’am” clothes. This approach involves striking a balance—looking polished but not overly flashy, fashionable yet understated. The goal is to project authority without overshadowing her core message.

Harris’s consistent look avoids drawing unnecessary attention to her attire, focusing instead on her policies and qualifications. Any abrupt style shift could be seen as a gimmick, potentially overshadowing her candidacy.

As the campaign intensifies, scrutiny of her wardrobe will undoubtedly increase. Yet, Harris’s strategy seems to be minimizing fashion as a talking point, allowing her to concentrate on her campaign agenda. If she wins the election, she may then have the opportunity to redefine presidential fashion in her own way. For now, her consistent wardrobe serves its purpose well.

As Barack Obama once remarked about the extra scrutiny faced by female candidates, Harris’s choice to maintain a steady appearance reflects her commitment to focusing on her candidacy rather than her clothes. In the end, she may only need to revisit her wardrobe if she is elected and the time comes to redefine presidential attire.