Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Political Fashion Statements

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Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez isn’t the first woman in politics to be scrutinized for her fashion, and she certainly won’t be the last—and she knows it. Through her styling choices, AOC intentionally nods to the women who came before her, while setting new precedents for those who will follow. With her articulate speeches, strong social media presence, and, yes, her clothing, the youngest U.S. Congresswoman in history successfully uses various channels to express her progressive platform. On her 30th birthday, CR takes note of the times Ocasio-Cortez has made political fashion statements about feminism, equality, and diversity.

On two occasions, Ocasio-Cortez opted for monochrome white outfits, calling on the self-established uniform of the suffragettes of the early 20th century. For her swearing-in on January 3, she wore a white pantsuit, which, she shared on Twitter, was “to honor the women who paved the path before me, and for all the women yet to come.” Showing solidarity with the change-makers before her, she also stated that her all-white ensemble was in reference to other “mothers of the movement,” such as Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman elected to Congress who also wore white at her swearing-in.

Then, for the 2019 State of the Union Address, Ocasio-Cortez and the rest of the Democratic women of Congress wore suffragette white to send a unified message of solidarity with American women, and to signify their prioritizing of women’s economic security. Among them, AOC’s sleek look consisted of white pants, a scoop-neck shirt, and a cape.

Ocasio-Cortez’s accessories and beauty looks also hold meaning. Since the primary congressional debates, she has consistently sported red lipstick (she’s partial to Stila’s Stay All Day liquid lipstick in the shade Beso) and gold hoop earrings. In response to someone who admired her bold look on Twitter, AOC explained that she was inspired by Supreme Court Justice and fellow Latina Sonia Sotomayor, who donned red nails to her confirmation hearings despite being advised to wear neutral-colored polish to avoid scrutiny. By nodding to the women who came before her, Ocasio-Cortez is also setting precedent for those after her. The hoop earrings are also a direct nod to her roots. “Next time someone tells Bronx girls to take off their hoops,” she Tweeted, “they can just say they’re dressing like a congresswoman.”

Her hairstyles are also often deliberate. Last year, she sported a braid to honor her “African and Indigenous heritage that is part of being Puerto Rican,” and to normalize the style, which is central to Afro-Latinx expression and sometimes a subject of social conflict and racial discrimination in professional settings.

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Beyond the powerful messages behind her looks, AOC’s transparency about her fashion and beauty choices helps to subvert the expectations of her. As a minority—and the youngest woman to ever serve in Congress—her appearance is perpetually scrutinized (the controversy surrounding her haircut being a recent example), but like the trailblazing women before her, and the ones who will succeed her, her fearlessness and candor helps direct her narrative.

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