Hillary Clinton’s ubiquitous, colorful pantsuits have become emblematic of the 2016 presidential campaign, as instantly identifiable in their own way as Donald Trump’s swoop of flaxen hair. On Sunday, some enthusiastic Clinton supporters were inspired to don pantsuits of their own in every possible hue and participate in a flashmob at New York’s Union Square, dancing joyously to “Can’t Stop This Feeling,” a bubbly Justin Timberlake track from the soundtrack of the upcoming animated film Trolls. Crishon Johnson, who helped organize and choreograph the event, described the flashmob on Facebook as a way to “combine art with a bit activism at a fun dance event.” It was intended as both a show of support for Clinton and a rebuke of Trump. “Now is the time to stand up against this bully,” Johnson wrote. “Action here is a stand against racism, sexism, homophobia, classism, injustice and so much more.”
Footage of the flashmob was also posted to Instagram.
An event like this calls attention to Clinton’s pantsuits and what they mean to her public image and her campaign. After all, women were not even allowed to wear pants on the U.S. Senate floor until 1993, and Clinton herself become the first first lady to wear a pantsuit in an official White House portrait. The pantsuit, then, is not just an icon for the Clinton campaign; it’s a symbol of the balancing act that women have to maintain while taking on roles that have traditionally been controlled by men.
This 2015 video from POPSUGAR offers a concise look at Clinton’s wardrobe over the last decade and a half. The pantsuit has been a good friend to her for years, and she remains loyal to it.
[via Mashable]