Hillary Clinton Wears a Purple Pantsuit by Ralph Lauren to the 2021 Inauguration

From Harper's BAZAAR

Hillary Clinton arrived at the U.S. State Capitol Building presumably all smiles (she was wearing a face mask, after all), waving at a crowd of onlookers with her husband, former president Bill Clinton, by her side. The former First Lady and former secretary of state attended the inauguration of President Joseph Biden wearing a bright purple pantsuit with a matching ruffled scarf by Ralph Lauren under a maroon overcoat.

Clinton joined other female dignitaries in wearing shades of purple. Former First Lady Michelle Obama donned a plum turtleneck, matching wide-leg pants, and a coat by emerging designer Sergio Hudson, while the new vice president, Kamala Harris, opted for an amethyst-colored dress by Christopher John Rogers. The choice of purple—a mix of red and blue—is reportedly intentional: The colors represent the melding of the two main parties in U.S. politics. And by wearing outfits in the striking color, female leaders are sending a message of unity to a divided country.

Today’s ensemble joins what Clinton calls her “sisterhood of traveling pantsuits.” Throughout her career, from being the First Lady of the United States to New York state senator to secretary of state, she has made the pantsuit a statement of feminism—and far more than a simple sartorial choice.

Inauguration Day marks the second noteworthy occasion that Clinton wore purple. In 2016, her suit sported a purple lapel for her concession speech after losing her bid to become president. Then and now, she conveyed a message of coming together as one nation, regardless of party politics.

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