Few fashion brands say Blue Collar America more than Carhartt. Headquartered in Dearborn, Mich., the company has been selling heavy-duty overalls, jackets, pants and shirts to working-class Americans for 135 years.

So when vice presidential nominee Tim Walz shows up at public events in Carhartt workwear instead of the standard politician’s suit and tie — topped with a hunter-style camo-print cap — the country takes notice.

“It seems to be how he normally dresses,” said menswear writer Derek Guy. “But you just don’t normally see a politician dress so casually.’”

“In Walz, Harris Sees a Battleground Strategy Dressed in Carhartt,” ran a headline in The New York Times earlier this week, over a story exploring the tricky balance the Democratic nominees must strike between appealing to wavering or undecided voters and seeming to be their authentic selves.

Some see Walz’s down-home wardrobe choices as an honest reflection of his Midwestern values. He’s a former high school football coach who served 24 years in the National Guard.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz prepares to depart for a campaign rally in Philadelphia on Aug. 6, 2024.

Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

hide caption

Advertisement

toggle caption

Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

“Lefties have been crushing lately on MN Gov. Tim Walz, who can voice progressive ideas while (authentically) wearing Carhartt,” wrote J. Patrick Coolican in an opinion piece in the Ohio Capital Journal. “@Tim_Walz is just very Minnesotan!!! And hard working!” wrote MamaG on X.com in reference to Walz’s predilection for the brand.

Others are questioning Walz’s style motives.

“Pandering,” wrote @WFHMommaof3Boyson X.com; User Kwix posted: “Dems have tried much stupider ways to connect with Midwest middle class white voters.”

A much broader appeal

Yet it’s been years since Carhartt has appealed solely to plumbers, longshoremen and construction workers.

“Carhartt has been popular with the street wear scene at least since the 1990s,” said Guy. “And in the last 10 or 12 years, it’s become especially popular as streetwear has become more mainstream.”

Today, Carhartt items fly of the racks at trendy, urban vintage stores and regularly show up in celebrities’ wardrobes. Actors Austin Butler and Chris Pine and pop stars Kanye West and Rihanna have been spotted wearing the brand. There’s even a streetwear spinoff, Carhartt Work In Progress (Carhartt WIP).

“Its range of influence is pretty staggering,” said fashion writer Peter Zottolo in an email. “To older generations, Carhartt means you’re practical, ready to sweat in the dirt, and not afraid to mess up your clothes, because that’s what these clothes were made for. Younger generations get this too, but they also attach an entirely different meaning to it, a sort of IYKYK [If You Know You Know] cachet that whispers cool authority, especially when it’s worn in.”

“It is still very much a workwear brand and our customers who buy Carhartt still are absolutely plumbers, electricians, landscapers, contractors, carpenters, et cetera,” said Chris Litchfield, owner of ACME Workwear, a family-run store in San Francisco that’s been in business for more than 50 years. “But there’s no doubt that there’s been a younger influence as well. We’ve seen a lot of kids coming in recently who are buying it for back-to-school. They’re buying hoodies, they’re buying pants.”

The camo cap

Like other brands such as L.L. Bean and Levi’s that were once considered working class, Carhartt is part of a broader trend toward casual style that started in the last century.

“In the early 20th century, men took their dress direction from elites such as the Duke of Windsor,” said Guy. “By the Post War period, fashion influence was starting to come from laborers, musicians, artists, working class people. And the suit started to lose its dominance in the menswear market.”

Politicians’ style is in keeping with this trend.

Guy noted that politicians have been trying to “dress down” to seem more relatable since the 1970s, if not earlier. “When Jimmy Carter was campaigning, he would sometimes take off his suit jacket. And that was a tradition that Bill Clinton and Obama continued,” Guy said. “In more recent times, Gov. Ron DeSantis was campaigning for the Republican nomination last year while wearing a fishing shirt.”

Other politicians besides Walz have sported Carhartt: John Fetterman, Sarah Palin, Rick Perry, and Barack Obama have all been known to wear items from the brand. (Also, Walz sometimes does wear a suit.)

Guy said Walz likely isn’t paying close attention to the youth appeal of his clothes, adding that the politician’s broader fashion choices, which include L.L. Bean barn coats and Red Wing work boots, are all trending right now. “He just strikes me as the kind of guy that probably buys them from the catalogs, kind of like mainline stores,” Guy said. “I doubt he’s going into fashion boutiques.”

Yet at least one item in Walz’s closet does seem to be engineered to appeal to voters — the camo cap. “That hat demonstrates some thinking on the part of the Harris campaign,” Guy said, noting the political savvy of a version of the cap bearing the slogan “Harris Walz” in eye-catching tangerine lettering showing up for sale online just hours after the campaign released a video in which Walz wore it.

“Clearly they timed the release so that people online would have something to talk about the entire day,” Guy said.

Trump’s campaign is also selling a camo hat with orange lettering that says “Make America Great Again” on the front and Trump on the back, plus an American flag on one side and 45-47 on the other, because Trump hopes to be not only the country’s 45th president but the 47th as well.

Camo hats are understood to be aimed at red-state voters, many of whom back fewer restrictions on gun ownership. Camo merchandise has not traditionally been targeted toward blue state voters.

But the Harris-Walz hat picked up steam on social media when the pop star Chappell Roan noticed a likeness between her own “Midwest Princess” hat and the candidates’ one. “Is this real” she wrote on X.com.

According to Teen Vogue, the Harris-Walz hat sold out in 30 minutes. It won’t be available again until Oct. 14.

Jennifer Vanasco edited this story.

Blake Lively in It Ends With Us.

Sony Pictures

hide caption

toggle caption

Advertisement

Sony Pictures

Blake Lively in It Ends With Us.

Sony Pictures

The 2016 Colleen Hoover novel It Ends With Us was a massive bestseller. And now that book is a movie. Blake Lively stars as Lily Bloom, a woman who falls for a hot neurosurgeon played by Justin Baldoni — who also directs the film. But their relationship is complicated by the return of her old flame (Brandon Sklenar). She also has to reckon with her feelings about her abusive father and the mother who stayed with him.

Subscribe to Pop Culture Happy Hour Plus at plus.npr.org/happyhour

As a kid, I spent a lot of time thinking about what I was going to wear on the first day of school. I loved going shopping for new supplies, clothes and shoes. Then, the night before the first day, I would lay out my look — backpack and all — and daydream about how I was going to show up the next day. (This TikTok from comedian Big Homie Blocks perfectly describes the feeling.)

For many students, the first day of school can feel like New Year’s Day. It’s a chance to reimagine yourself and give a glimpse of the new you. The way you do this is through your outfit. Perhaps you were more into the preppy look last year but now you want to explore more unisex styles — the opportunities are endless.

Monday marked the first day of classes in the Los Angeles Unified School District. As students scurried in between classes and reunited with their friends at Venice High School, we were able to ask them: What did they choose to wear and why?

While some students took more than an hour to get ready, others dressed in minutes, throwing on whatever felt most comfortable. But even if they didn’t “dress up,” per se, most students agreed that they put in at least a little extra effort — pajamas were an obvious no — for the first day of school. Here’s what they had to say. Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Melanie Chevarria, 16.

Advertisement

“I like girlie clothes. I like to maintain myself. I like doing my hair and stuff. It’s fun for me,” Chevarria said.

Melanie Chavarria, 16, junior

Tell us about your outfit. I got this whole outfit from Forever 21, except the shoes. I got them from Foot Locker.

What inspired your look today? I wanted to look like I was going to school, but also cute and girlie.

How long did it take you to get ready today? An hour and 30 minutes. It was mostly stuff I did the night before. I scrubbed my face. I shaved my face. I did a face mask and everything so I wouldn’t have dry skin to make sure today could be good. My mom helped me pick out my outfit, and I then I put it on my bed the night before. I was really excited.

What is your favorite part of your outfit? Probably my hair. It took 20 minutes. I wanted to incorporate the bows.

What do you think your outfit says about you? I think it says that I’m excited for school. I like girlie clothes. I like to maintain myself. I like doing my hair and stuff. It’s fun for me.

How does this outfit translate to how you want to enter your junior year? I think that I’m more put together now. I want to be more on a set track and have more things prepared instead of just going with the flow. [This summer], I got all my stuff together. I got everything I needed, like my notebooks. I think first impressions are everything. Also, going to school feeling your best can set the mood for the rest of your year and how other people see you first. I feel like everybody should try to make themselves look nice to feel better.

Taylor Gallen, 14, freshman

Tell us about your outfit. I think my top and my bottoms are both from Cotton On, and then I have on Converse. I got my earrings from Lovisa. They have good ones that don’t hurt. I have very sensitive ears. I have no idea where my necklace is from. My dad gave it to me. Technically, there’s supposed to be a turquoise piece inside, but it came out and I don’t want to put it back in because I like it better this way.

What inspired your look today? Nothing in particular. I mean, this sounds bad, but [I wanted to] blend in a little bit so I can get used to [high school] first and then I can come in a hot pink shirt. That was one of my options, but I was like, “Maybe I’ll just go a little bit less.” And I have a pink backpack, so I already have some color, and I have pink on my shoes.

What is your favorite part of your outfit? Maybe my necklace or my shoes. I’ve had my shoes for a long time. I don’t really do shoes. I told my mom, “Stereotypical girls have a lot of shoes. I have a lot of sweatshirts, and I have a lot of dresses. That’s my thing.’ This is my one pair of shoes that I always wear. These Birkenstocks and slippers.

Gallen’s white Converse sneakers, a staple piece of her wardobe.

How long did it take you to get ready today? Maybe an hour and a half. I already had my outfit picked out, but I had to do mascara and my hair. My hair took the longest. And then I had to eat, and then I had to walk my dog.

How much time and effort did you put into your look? I was focusing on what backpack I wanted because I got two yesterday and then I couldn’t decide, and then I decided this morning right as I was leaving. I like the one I went with, but I hate [making] decisions.

What does your outfit say about you? I think personality, but also feeling in that moment. If I’m with people who I already know, I’m going to be wearing a bright green top and other pants. But you know, new things, new people, new adventures. I’m like, “Maybe I’ll stay a little in the middle.” Especially because… I mean I have bright red hair, that’s something. [Laughs] I have a bright pink skirt — I’m not going to wear that until second semester.

How does this outfit translate to how you want to enter your freshman year? I do really like leadership, I think it’s a professionalism type thing, but then also by dressing in a certain way, you come off with a different energy, like I’m here to do this or I’m here because it’s an easy A.

Rosby’s bright orange jacket is from Bape. “I think it [my outfit] brings personality,” she said. “You got the patches. You got the color, so it’s different.”

Dallas Rosby, 16.

Advertisement

Dallas Rosby, 16, junior

Tell us about your outfit. I got this jacket from Bape. My tank top is from Walmart, the shorts are from Shein and the shoes are from Foot Locker. All of my jewelry is from Lovisa. I got it at the Del Amo mall.

What inspired your look today? This is my everyday life and how I go out.

What is your favorite part of your outfit? My jacket. I usually pick out my shoes first, then I just find something that matches it.

How much time and effort did you put into your look? I just picked it up. It took 10 minutes this morning.

How long did it take you to get ready today? Not that long either. Maybe 15 minutes.

What does your outfit say about you? I think it brings personality. You got the patches. You got the color, so it’s different.

How does this outfit translate to how you want to enter your junior year? I think it’s different because last year I came in with sweatpants and a sweatshirt. Now, it’s definitely more fashion.

Bruno Ciment, 15. “I’m just casual. I still have summer mind. Not taking it too seriously yet,” Ciment said.

Advertisement

Bruno Ciment, 15, sophomore

Tell us about your outfit. Well, honestly, I have a pile of unfolded laundry on my chair and this was on the top. I didn’t put a lot of thought into it.

What inspired your look today? I’m just casual. I still have summer mind. Not taking it too seriously yet.

What is your favorite part of your outfit? Probably my shirt. It’s a pretty nice shirt. It’s neutral and can work with a lot of things.

How much time and effort did you put into your look? Not much.

How long did it take you to get ready today? Probably 20 minutes.

What does your outfit say about you? I’m flexible. Just go with whatever there is. Don’t stress about it too much.

How does this outfit translate to how you want to enter your sophomore year? I think it translates that I’m trying to enjoy it and accomplish what I want to. Not overthinking.

Ava Samuel, 16.

“I got my nails done on Friday. I like to have something different on every nail,” Samuel said.

Advertisement

Ava Samuel, 16, junior

Tell us about your outfit. I found this shirt sometime this summer at a vintage store on Melrose called Newfriend Vintage. These jeans are from H&M, and then I just have Sambas on. The glasses are from Temu — they are not real. I got my nails done on Friday. I like to have something different on every nail.

What is your favorite part of your outfit? I really like this shirt. I tucked it into my bra so it has some shape. Then the green from my shoes with the green shirt. I also really like my hair.

How much time and effort did you put into your look? Not a lot. I mean I had the idea that I was going to wear this shirt, but I put it together last night. I braided my hair last night for fun and then I was like “This is actually kind of cute.”

How does this outfit translate to how you want to enter your junior year? Very chill, like I’m not trying to overthink anything. I’m trying to stay calm and not stress myself. I’m taking AP bio, U.S. history and literature.

Friends Seth Romo, 18, Dylan Rezvani, 17, and Shane Flores, 18.

Dylan Rezvani, 17, senior; Shane Flores, 18, senior; and Seth Romo, 18, senior

Tell us about your outfits.

Rezvani: I’m wearing a Gucci chain, a $60 [Nike] Dri-FIT, pants from Zumiez, but I cut them off because it was kind of ugly. $110 on the shoes.

Flores: I got the chain, authentic gold. I have a thrifted $10 hoodie, Chrome Hearts sweats (currently $1,000+ on resale sites), a pretty expensive piece, and then Yeezy slides.

Romo: I got the Goodfellow T-shirt on, Nike sweats and Yeezy slides.

Shane Flores’ wore Chrome Hearts sweats, paired with Yeezy slides and socks.

Dylan Rezvani’s chain necklace comes from Gucci. The bling is his favorite part of the outfit.

What is your favorite part of your outfit?

Rezvani: The jewelry.

Flores: My sweatpants, because they are exclusive.

Romo: The comfiness of it.

What does your outfit say about you?

Rezvani: I think I deem myself very approachable based on my clothing.

Flores: I like to be comfortable with a little bit of fashion in there.

Romo: I’m a pretty chill person.

Faith Lister’s jewelry is from various thrift stores — she acquired a lot of pieces from a summer vacation trip to England.

Faith Lister, 15.

Advertisement

Faith Lister, 15, sophomore

Tell us about your outfit. I have this sweater so that I’m in dress code. My baggy jeans are from Subdued. My jewelry is from some thrift stores, and I got a lot when I went on vacation this summer in England. My friend has a house there.

What inspired your look today? I just want something comfortable and something that kind of shows my style for the first day. Something new. Dress to impress.

What is your favorite part of your outfit? I like my jeans. I’ve been into baggy jeans recently. It’s harder to find this brand Subdued here.

How much time and effort did you put into your look? I thought about my outfit for the whole summer pretty much because I love back-to-school shopping. I woke up this morning at 5:45 so I could take my time and call my friends. We were showing each other what we were going to wear, what time we were going to get here [and] doing our makeup on FaceTime.

Another look at Lister’s layers of jewelry and orange-tipped nails.

How long did it take you to get ready today? It took me an hour and half in total for the outfit, makeup and everything.

What does your outfit say about you? It’s definitely harder to dress in school because there’s dress code, but I would say my outfit kind of shows how I dress outside of school. I like wearing summery, beachy outfits so I decided to wear something that kind of represents that.

How does this outfit translate to how you want to enter your sophomore year? It’s starting to be more transformative … like trying to find my own personal style, rather than just wearing what’s trendy. Obviously, in my freshman year, I was trying to wear what was cool, like the new thing. Now it’s like more me.