Anyone who knows fashion knows its relationship with broader societal attitudes, such as the flapper dress, but have we ever considered whether it can predict presidential elections? Articles and think pieces have sprung up across social media, positing that it was “obvious” Trump would win if we just looked to fashion. The New York Post writes in the headline of one of its newest articles that it was “written on the wall.” I’m not sure I agree entirely, but I’ll explain why.

 

Firstly, I am certainly not arguing that fashion and politics have no intersection because they most certainly do. The examples are plentiful. The flapper “look” rose in popularity, embodying femininity as women enjoyed their newly secured rights; the punk movement grew in response to capitalistic greed and political leaders such as Margaret Thatcher in the 70s, and fashion indeed began to embody Reaganomics as shoulder pads came into style to symbolize power, because why else would anyone wear those? The common thread between these fashion phenomena is that they were reactive, not proactive.

 

The two pieces of evidence most referenced in support of this claim are the resurgence of Americana and the “trad” or traditional wife aesthetic. Believers of the idea that fashion gave us all the information needed to infer the red wave witnessed on Election Day cite the increased popularity of cowboy boots, denim, and palettes reminiscent of our star-spangled banner. On an interpersonal level, they point to internet influencers such as Nara Smith, who supposedly glorifies a time when women were seen as nothing more than household keepers.

 

If we know that many instances we look to investigate fashion correlation with politics are reactive, what exactly are the trends we see today reacting to? The rise of the "traditional wife" aesthetic, for example, could be a reaction against modern feminism, which some critics in recent years have labeled as alienating or overbearing. Similarly, the resurgence of Americana and the embrace of Western wear might stem from the collective response to the COVID-19 pandemic. After experiencing prolonged restrictions and existential threats, a generation that felt stifled may romanticize the freedom and rugged individualism symbolized by the American West.

 

I don’t mean to rain on anyone’s parade, but I firmly believe that conversations like these distract us from our country's pressing issues. Crippling partisanship, skyrocketing inflation, the ongoing marginalization of minority communities, and countless other challenges demand our attention. Instead of fixating on internet influencers like Nara Smith, we should focus on meaningful actions. For instance, Harris won young women by 18 points in this election—a clear sign of where change is happening. It’s time for the fashion industry to align its influence with these fundamental issues and work toward creating the change it claims to champion.

 

So, no I do not believe that fashion trends predicted Donald Trump's win, maybe America just loves the color red.