Fashion 'Baracks' the vote

October 7, 6:17 PMAtlanta Shopping ExaminerRivea Ruff

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Limited Edition "Run DC" Obama tee from Black Klown Clothier

Every election year, voters show their partiality for candidates with bumper stickers on their cars, signs in their front lawns, and fliers tacked up in their cubicles.   However, the 2008 Election has seen candidate support cross over into the fashion lane.  Unless you’ve been shut into your home with no television or internet access, you’ve seen everyone from movie and music stars to patrons at the local Starbucks wearing Barack Obama t-shirts.

The hype started last year when celebs like Halle Berry,  Alicia Keys and Ryan Phillipe were photographed rocking “Obama for Change” tees out and about.  What once was a celebrity statement has now trickled down into the mainstream and become an all out trend.  Now, everyone from trendy thirty-somethings to teenyboppers not yet old enough to vote can be seen “Barack-ing” tees in support of the Illinois Senator.

There is a wide range of Obama support tee shirts sold in multiple national retail chains such as Urban Outfitters, and entire websites dedicated to Obama fashion, such as barackawear.com (a play on Jay-Z’s fashion house, Rockawear).  The tees come in various styles with catchy phrases and imagery.  For instance, celebs and TV personalities have recently been spotted wearing Run DMC styled “Run DC” shirts with a picture of the candidate decked out in a gold rope chain, fedora, and thick-rimmed glasses much like a member of the ‘80’s Hip-Hop trio. 

The Senator himself has hopped onto his own fashion bandwagon by starting an official line of Obama tees and totes designed by high-end designers such as Tracy Reese, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Vera Wang.  The collection, titled "Runway to Change" is available on BarackObama.com.   While the site offers a wider range of merchandise (hats, bags, buttons), it's more expensive than non-official retailers.  A presidential hopeful fashion line is an unprecedented campaign tool, yet one that will likely catch on with young voters who are already on-board with the trend.

The Obama tee craze has yet to be countered by a large-scale McCain fashion influx.  McCain has not had the same level of celebrity support and at age 71, is frankly not all that popular with most young voters.  According to a recent poll from Washington Post and ABC news, Obama edges out McCain 2 to 1 in popularity among the 18-to-34-year-old demographic.  USA today even recently featured an article on Obama’s undeniable “cool factor” with young voters.  While McCain support tees are available, they are nowhere near cleverness and sheer volume of available Obama-wear.

While the Obama fashion craze can’t hurt the Senator’s popularity, whether or not Obama’s trendiness will translate into votes remains to be seen at the polls this November.   But voters beware:  Your new Obama tee could make you persona non grata at the polls on election day. 

Many voting locations will not allow you into the polls while wearing campaign paraphernalia.  This includes your “Obama-nation” tee shirt.  While fashion should always make a statement, don’t let it prevent you from making an even bigger one with your vote.  If you feel you MUST let the world know that “Obama is your Homeboy” on election day, call your local voting office to ask about their policy…or simply turn your tee inside out before you get out of the car.

If you're looking to show your Obama pride at tonight's Presidential Debate party, try these links: