Is It Tan? Internet Buzzes Over Kamala Harris’ Suit Color at DNC

Vice President Kamala Harris surprised attendees at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago with her unexpected appearance on stage, but perhaps even more noteworthy was the color of her outfit.

Viewers were left guessing about the shade of her suit. Was it tan, reminiscent of former President Barack Obama’s well-remembered “tan suit” from 2014? Was it beige, or perhaps toffee? Social media users speculated wildly, trying to pinpoint the exact hue.

Eventually, it was clarified that Harris’s suit was indeed not tan or beige, but instead a distinctive color that reflects her well-known and often repeated phrase: “You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?” It turns out, the suit was coconut brown.

The suit itself was not just any outfit; it was a tailored piece designed by the French brand Chloé. According to internet investigators, it featured a double-breasted jacket made of wool “grain de poudre” fabric, matched with wide-leg dress pants of the same coconut brown color. The jacket was accented with black buttons, and Harris completed the look with a classic white bow blouse.

While Harris did not publicly comment on her outfit choice, a representative from Chloé informed The Washington Post that the selection of coconut brown was purely coincidental.

Despite the designer’s claims regarding the color’s coincidence, social media abuzz with excitement suggests that the outfit was far from accidental. Many have interpreted her choice as a clever Easter egg referencing not only her remarks but also a nod to Obama’s tan suit incident, which similarly sparked commentary about professionalism in fashion.

This connection led to comparisons with a famous scene from the film “The Devil Wears Prada,” in which the character Miranda Priestly, played by Meryl Streep, gives a biting lesson on color selection and how it affects fashion perception. One can imagine Miranda swapping out “tan” for “coconut brown” during her critique.

Further fueling this discussion is the backdrop of Harris’s now-iconic phrase about “coconut trees,” which first gained traction on May 10, 2023. During a meeting of the President’s Advisory Commission on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics, Harris quipped, “You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?” This reference has since been associated with her personal journey and the complexity of existence.

Harris elaborated on the idea of context, drawing from her own experiences and the lessons imparted by her mother, which encapsulated the essence of navigating life’s complexities. Whether or not individuals are on board with the shade remains to be seen, but there’s no doubt that her outfit choice has stirred conversation.

As this year’s Democratic National Convention unfolds, Harris’s coconut brown suit is likely to be remembered not just for its color but also for the dialogue it has generated—ensuring that this moment will remain a notable part of the event’s legacy.

Source: USA Today