By Rachel TashjianThe Washington Post Tim Walz wore a navy suit, white shirt and blue tie to formally accept the Democratic nomination for vice president on Wednesday night in Chicago. Big whoop. That’s what all the men wear for a moment like that.
But in the two weeks since Walz was catapulted to the national stage, Democrats have seized on his offstage style as evidence of his authenticity. Walz’s casual attire has been a constant refrain this week at the Democratic National Convention. Sen.
Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) spoke just before Walz, saying that Minnesotans “love a dad in plaid.” A video narrated by Walz’s wife, Gwen, depicted him in the orange and camo of hunting mode.
Former president Barack Obama touted Walz’s workwear Tuesday night: “You can tell those flannel shirts he wears don’t come from his political career. They come from his closet – and they have been through some stuff.” On Monday, Minnesota’s lieutenant governor, Peggy Flanagan, described Walz as doing his work “with a big heart, a buffalo-plaid jacket, and a bottomless bag of snacks” – as if he’s running instead for World’s Greatest Dad.
The campaign has played up this aesthetic, too. Hours after Walz’s first public appearance as the Veep candidate, in Philadelphia, the campaign started selling a camo-print hat emblazoned with “HARRIS-WALZ” in hunting-season orange. Walz was wearing a camo hat when Harris offered him the job by phone, according to a video of the exch.