Hidden meaning behind Kamala Harris’ brown DNC suit – it’s not just about trolling Obama, there’s a ‘sly’ nod to Gen Z
KAMALA Harris understands better than anyone that she exists in the context of all that came before her.
That may be why the presidential nominee wore a brown suit at the Democratic National Convention — and it was more than just a tribute to President Barack Obama.
Obama had previously received criticism for sporting a tan-colored suit with a white shirt during his presidency in 2014.
The controversy sparked a debate about whether the color was appropriate for business settings.
Fox’s Lou Dubbs called Obama’s get-up “un-presidential,” implying that Obama’s summer suit color choice was a subtle message to enemies, according to CNN.
Kamala‘s choice of a brown suit at the DNC may not just be a tongue-in-cheek nod to Obama; it also appears to be a shoutout to Gen-Z supporters.
The vice president had gone viral on social media as content creators spread memes of her speech at the 2023 White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics.
During the speech, Harris told a story about a saying her mother used to swear by.
“My mother used to — she would give us a hard time sometimes, and she would say to us, ‘I don’t know what’s wrong with you young people. You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?’” Harris said with a laugh.
“You exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you.”
As Harris’ bid for the presidential nomination picked up steam, the meme spread further, with increasing numbers of fan edits and videos made.
Users on X, formerly Twitter, noticed that the Chloé suit jacket and pants ensemble was hand-picked for its tan shade.
On Chloé’s website, the color is called “coconut brown.”
“What you don’t know is that that suit is not just tan, it’s not beige, it’s not khaki,” said one X user.
“It’s actually coconut brown.”
Others were quick to pick up on the detail.
“I believe we are having the wrong conversation about Kamala Harris’s brown Chloé suit,” said another DNC viewer.
“Not only because she wears brown suits all the time but because the double-breasted version of [the] jacket on the Chloé website is not ‘tan,’ ‘beige,’ or simply ‘brown,’ but… ‘Coconut Brown.'”
X users found the tribute to her Gen-Z supporters clever and comical.
“Ohhhhh, thanks for the context!” joked one.
“I actually have zero doubt that was not a coincidence. This campaign has been like searching for Easter eggs in your favorite movies!” said another.
“So it did, in fact, fall out of a coconut tree,” quipped a third.
“She’s one sly troller. Should we all now buy this suit?” suggested another.
While Kamala’s exact suit is custom-made, shoppers can pick up a similar Chloé version (and color) for themselves.
Money certainly doesn’t grow on trees, however (like coconuts do), as the full set comes at a hefty price tag. It includes a $3,390 tailored jacket and $1,350 slim pants in the shade “Coconut Brown.”