Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress leader and Wayanad MP, has sparked a political debate with her choice of tote bags. Far from being mere accessories, the bags—stitched with symbols of struggle from Palestine to Bangladesh—are designed to convey solidarity across borders.
Fashion? Yes. Utility? Sure. But they’re also a canvas for activism. Alongside other Opposition members, she drew attention to the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh, using her attire as a medium for her message.
‘Fashion Is Inherently Political’
That’s a truism often thrown around in the fashion world. From Priyanka Gandhi’s recent tote protest to Melania Trump’s unforgettable ‘I Don’t Care’ jacket, @shreyachandra_ decodes what happens when big names let their clothes do the talking.… pic.twitter.com/PI301a55Vv
— CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18News) December 18, 2024
This isn’t the first time Indian politicians have used fashion to make a statement. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is known for highlighting regional craftsmanship through her sarees during Budget sessions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decade-long tradition of wearing a distinctive turban on Independence Day has also become an emblem of his political persona.
Globally, the fusion of style and politics is not new. In 2018, Melania Trump made headlines for wearing a controversial overcoat during her visit to a migrant detention centre. The jacket’s message, “I really don’t care, do u?” was widely criticised as tone-deaf, though Trump claimed it was a protest against media narratives.
In August, JD Vance’s campaign shared an image of Kamala Harris wearing a necklace next to a screenshot of a jewellery brand’s website listing the necklace for $62,000. The caption read, “Friend, when I saw this picture on Twitter, it instantly pissed me off.”
Interestingly, this was not the only time Harris was falsely accused of wearing extravagant jewellery this election season. During the presidential debate on September 10, netizens suggested Harris was wearing earrings that served as wireless earphones. This conspiracy theory quickly gained traction but was swiftly debunked.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s unkempt suits and longer-than-usual red ties have also been a topic of discussion since he first ran for president in 2016. This could be an intentional sartorial choice that visually aligns him with the average American man. The frumpy quality reportedly makes him appear more approachable and relatable.
For politicians, clothes transcend fashion—they’re tools of communication. From symbolising solidarity to making cultural or political statements, what leaders wear often carries deeper meaning. The next time a politician is asked, “What are you wearing?”, the answer might just be steeped in history, protest, or even a viral moment.
ALSO READ: Bangladesh to Palestine, Priyanka Gandhi’s bags create stir in Parliament
(Edited by : Anand Singha)
