Like most public figures, Kamala Harris adapts her footwear to different occasions. While her wardrobe includes traditional choices such as formal black heels, it was her appearance in Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars on the Feruary 2021 cover of Vogue that drew particular notice. As Democratic nominee for president, these sneakers once again became a focal point of her campaign. Through her choice of sneakers, Harris signals a new era in female political leadership – and demonstrates how footwear choices can shape a leader’s identity and ability to connect with voters. We may know we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but all politicians – especially women – know that we inevitably do. The appearance of others is how we categorise people to make sense of the world and our place in it. Clothing is a key medium through which we identify ourselves and others. Shoes are particularly layered with meaning: when we observe someone’s footwear we are using them to know whether or not we identify with that person. This is something that politicians and their teams know and manipulate to win votes.WATCH: These Flattering Hairstyles Will Be Everywhere This SummerFrom the return of 90s up-dos and side parts to the “poolside slick”—British Vogue’s Acting Beauty Director Lauren Murdoch-Smith is here to guide us through the spring’s most wearable hair trends
