Why Kamala Harris's Outfit Made a Striking Statement at the Inauguration

The date I've had circled on my calendar is finally here: It's Inauguration Day for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. As you already know, the latter will officially become the first female VP in United States history, cementing today as an occasion for the books.

Nothing is as important as how the administration will handle America's numerous crises, but we've always been about championing both style and substance here at Who What Wear. To that end, I'm excited to report on what our new Vice President chose to wear for such an important day: a striking purple outfit with pieces by Christopher John Rogers and Sergio Hudson, two young Black designers from Louisiana and South Carolina, respectively. The Vice President's commitment to the next generation of Black talent is clear, as she wore Pyer Moss last night.

"Vice-President Elect Kamala Harris has ushered in an unapologetic style sensibility: professional polish mixed with West Coast ease," Mikki Taylor, author, speaker, and editor-at-large of Essence told Who What Wear. "Like Harris, it’s the perfect blend of style and substance, one that will resonate with women everywhere who walk in their truth. She’s proven that you own your power whether you’re dressed in a white Carolina Herrera suit and Manolo Blahnik heels or a blazer paired with jeans and Converse sneakers. The message to all women is this: Don’t follow where you should lead, set the tone by being your authentic self in every corridor of life. As she so eloquently said during her debate with Mike Pence: 'I’m speaking,' and we’re all taking note!"

Scroll down to see photos of what Vice President Kamala Harris wore to the Inauguration. 

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

On Vice President Kamala Harris: Christopher John Rogers and Sergio Hudson pieces; Manolo Blahnik shoes

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

On Dr. Jill Biden: Markarian outfit

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This story originally appeared on our US site. 

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Associate Director, Fashion News

Erin got her start as a Who What Wear intern over 13 years ago—back when the site only published a single story per day. (Who What Wear has since increased that number twentyfold.) She graduated magna cum laude from USC, which is how she ended up moving to Los Angeles from her hometown of San Diego. In college, she also interned at Refinery29, where she was promoted to editorial assistant and then assistant editor. After nearly three years at R29, she came back to WWW in 2016, where she currently holds the title of Associate Director of Fashion News (as well as the unofficial title of resident royal expert—in case you haven't noticed her numerous Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton stories). She spends her days trying to incorporate her idols, Anna Wintour and Roger Federer, into as many stories as possible. Outside of work, she loves tennis, classic rock, traveling, and smothering her dog with affection.