The 2024 presidential election is now just a few weeks away and luminaries in the fashion industry have been working overtime to rally voters ahead of the big day. Using clothing as a vehicle of political expression, brands large and small are pulling out all the stops ahead of November 5th and they’re doing so in style. “Elections provide the best possible opportunity to ensure that our voices are heard, our concerns are addressed, and that our contributions guarantee a democracy for the future generation,” designer Nili Lotan wrote in a post to her more than 200 thousand Instagram followers.
To those questioning how clothing might correlate to the election, multi-hyphenated creative Peshawn Bread who collaborated with Planned Parenthood Action Fund in September told Vogue previously that the answer is simple. “Fashion can create political awareness from graphics to silhouettes. For those who doubt that advocacy isn’t seen in fashion, I ask that they look into their favorite designer and think of the political environment when that artist was creating.” Chief creative officer of TomboyX, Willie Norris, also part of the PPAF designers group, furthered these sentiments, adding that it’s a way to spark important conversations. “Fashion has a powerful impact on how we see the world and the stories we share through our clothing and imagery,” Norris told Vogue.
From top designers teaming up with the Democratic presidential campaign in support of Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz to the National Basketball Players Association’s partnership with emerging label TUNL and Michelle Obama’s non-profit organization When We All Vote, there are a myriad of election brand collections on the market, encouraging people to get to the polls––almost all of which have committed to donating a portion of the proceeds to their cause of choice.
For a curated list of the best election brand collaborations available, continue ahead for a breakdown of all of our favorite collections.
Fans of poet and artist Cleo Wade will love the cheekiness of her partnership with clothing brand La Ligne. The exclusive white and black T-shirt design features a ’90s romcom-inspired saying (“I’m just a girl. Standing in front of a country. Asking it to vote.”) in Wade’s signature handwriting, that encourages people to use their voice during such a critical time for the country. The best part, however, is that all of the proceeds will be donated to non-profit organization When We All Vote. Founded by Michelle Obama, the nonpartisan initiative was created to increase voter participation in every election to, in turn, build a more engaged electorate.
Earlier this month, New York-based designer Nili Lotan released a limited edition VOTE T-shirt and is donating 100% of the proceeds to the League of Women Voters Education Fund, an organization dedicated to protecting and expanding voting rights. “Women have fought hard for the right to vote, and I believe they will play a pivotal role in the outcome of this election,” says the designer in an Instagram post announcing the collab. “I am excited for women to come together, like never before, working alongside men and all genders, to work toward a future that is fully inclusive. Your vote is your voice, and your voice is your power.”
Those looking for voter merch that goes beyond the classic T-shirt or hoodie design, Nest, a leading platform and advocate for global makers, is offering an array of election-focused products such as pins, houseware and jewelry, priced between $18 and $55. The lineup even includes a delicately beaded coin pouch that’s perfect for your smaller essentials like your cards, coins, or even a mini lip balm. Every purchase from the non-partisan election capsule will directly benefit the artisan that made it, with a portion of the proceeds being donated back to Nest to support their network of makers worldwide.
If you’ve been seeing an influx of hot-pink suiting on your favorite celebrities on social media, there’s a good chance they’re participating in Argent’s #VotingSuitsYou campaign. Created back in 2020, its initiative tapped artists, tastemakers, athletes, and other A-listers to increase voter participation. Just in time for the 2024 election, the workwear brand brought back its signature suit in new bright pink styles, including a silk-satin shirt and two exclusive T-shirt designs. All the proceeds for the collection are going to non-profit organization, When We All Vote.
The National Basketball Players Association partnered with newly-launched label TUNL to create a selection of sportswear-focused T-shirts and hoodies, encouraging their audience to vote. Designed by creative director and member of TUNL’s founding team Desyree Nicole, each style has a collage-style graphic and is priced between $35 and $85. “I wanted to create something that isn’t just a fashion statement, but a conversation starter,” Nicole said in a press release. “When you wear these designs, it’s simple yet powerful to ask your friends, family, and even strangers on the street, ‘But did you vote?’.”
Beloved fashion brand Alice & Olivia released two very different T-shirts, calling for shoppers to vote this November (and in every other election). The first is covered in American flags while the second is a little more understated. But both opt out of the cheeky slogans and get straight to the point with the word Vote in a bold block font. As a note, 10% of the collection’s net proceeds goes to I Am A Voter, the nonpartisan public awareness campaign that aims to create a cultural shift around voting and civic engagement.
Famed knitwear brand Lingua Franca teamed up with InStyle to introduce “voting is in style”—an exclusive nonpartisan campaign. The lineup itself includes a selection of crewneck sweatshirts for women, men, and kids, in a slew of colors, with the slogan embroidered across the front. Plus, 20% of the collection’s proceeds will be donated to Vote.org, which is a non-profit and nonpartisan organization dedicated to eliminating barriers between voters and the ballot box.
As the organization’s political arm, Planned Parenthood’s Action Fund teamed up with leading designers in the industry, from Diane von Furstenberg to Kenneth Cole to Prabal Gurung to create a collection of exclusive T-shirt designs reminding people to get out and vote to save our reproductive rights. “Each shirt is a stunning walking billboard that allows individuals to proudly communicate their identities and beliefs and to encourage others to vote in this critical election,” Caren Spruch, the not-for-profit organization’s national director for arts and entertainment told Vogue previously.
