The Significance of Tim Walz's Camo Cap
Democratic VP candidate Tim Walz is leveraging casual attire as a political advantage.
TroibNews 
Vice President Kamala Harris' selection of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate has introduced a surprising topic into the political conversation: casual attire.
Walz’s progressive leadership and his effective use of the term “weird” against Republican opponents were significant factors in Harris’ choice. Additionally, his potential to appeal to working-class voters in key "Blue Wall" states like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania played an important role.
Walz boasts a style that resonates with many voters: flannel-lined LL Bean barn coats, scuffed work boots, and woodsy camo caps. His unpretentious clothing resonates with voters who dress similarly in their own lives.
Online, reactions to Walz’s casual aesthetic have been swift. “He might run for vice president, or he might clean the garage. It’s the weekend; anything can happen,” read one viral tweet. “BREAKING: Potential running mate Tim Walz spotted outside VP Kamala Harris’ residence ‘tweaking the lawn mower’s carburetor’ because he ‘didn’t like that darn knocking sound it was making,’” joked USA Today columnist Rex Huppke. Another user on X dubbed Walz an “REI hire.”
Walz’s ordinary appearance showcases a rare ability among politicians. Even though America has increasingly embraced casual attire, many male politicians struggle to convincingly pull off this look.
Consider Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Leaving aside the controversy over his possibly height-enhancing cowboy boots, DeSantis appeared uncomfortable on the GOP primary campaign trail last year in fishing shirts. These Columbia Sportswear shirts, embroidered with his name and campaign logo, were likely meant to highlight Florida's reputation as the "fishing capital of the world." However, it was an odd look for someone with Ivy League degrees from Harvard and Yale, who isn't particularly associated with fishing.
Decades ago, a politician who successfully wore a casual look was President Ronald Reagan. Reagan often donned plaid Western shirts, cowboy boots, and trucker jackets. Although some in the press criticized these outfits as "costumes," they enhanced his appeal to rural Midwestern voters.
Walz channels a similar appeal. At a Harris rally soon after his viral "weird" comment about Republicans, Walz wore Carhartt work pants, rugged shoes, and a camo cap featuring the U.S. Special Forces crest. During a tour of Dutch Creek Farms in Northfield, Minnesota, with President Joe Biden, he appeared in a tan canvas LL Bean barn coat, blue jeans, and a "Minnesota Grown" ball cap. At Democratic Party retreats, he wears quarter-zip fleeces under a buffalo-plaid Filson Mackinaw Cruiser, a favorite among Midwestern outdoorsmen. In a campaign video showing an orchestrated phone call between Harris and Walz, Walz was in a black t-shirt, tan chinos, a camo cap, and white sneakers. The choice to display Walz in casual wear and introduce camo campaign merchandise highlights how the Harris team understands the impact of his blue-collar image.
Walz’s outfits are visually effective because they are culturally consistent, combining workwear with workwear rather than mismatched styles, as DeSantis did. His wardrobe includes heritage American brands like LL Bean, Carhartt, Filson, and Red Wing. Most importantly, they exude a quality that fashion experts often struggle to define: authenticity. Walz’s authentic look stems from his small-town Nebraska upbringing, education at a state college, service in the Army National Guard, and his background as a high school geography teacher and football coach.
This authenticity explains why Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly looks natural in bomber jackets, why former President George W. Bush believably wore cowboy boots, and why figures like John Kerry and Mitt Romney comfortably sport preppy barn coats.
Former President Donald Trump, on the other hand, typically sticks to a uniform of navy suits, white shirts, and red ties, reinforcing his businessman image.
Walz adopts the opposite strategy: his choice of durable work clothes, t-shirts, and jeans underscores his humble heartland roots, which the Harris campaign hopes will resonate with voters in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.
With the election likely to be decided by narrow margins, Walz’s casual attire might just make a decisive difference.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
Walz’s progressive leadership and his effective use of the term “weird” against Republican opponents were significant factors in Harris’ choice. Additionally, his potential to appeal to working-class voters in key "Blue Wall" states like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania played an important role.
Walz boasts a style that resonates with many voters: flannel-lined LL Bean barn coats, scuffed work boots, and woodsy camo caps. His unpretentious clothing resonates with voters who dress similarly in their own lives.
Online, reactions to Walz’s casual aesthetic have been swift. “He might run for vice president, or he might clean the garage. It’s the weekend; anything can happen,” read one viral tweet. “BREAKING: Potential running mate Tim Walz spotted outside VP Kamala Harris’ residence ‘tweaking the lawn mower’s carburetor’ because he ‘didn’t like that darn knocking sound it was making,’” joked USA Today columnist Rex Huppke. Another user on X dubbed Walz an “REI hire.”
Walz’s ordinary appearance showcases a rare ability among politicians. Even though America has increasingly embraced casual attire, many male politicians struggle to convincingly pull off this look.
Consider Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Leaving aside the controversy over his possibly height-enhancing cowboy boots, DeSantis appeared uncomfortable on the GOP primary campaign trail last year in fishing shirts. These Columbia Sportswear shirts, embroidered with his name and campaign logo, were likely meant to highlight Florida's reputation as the "fishing capital of the world." However, it was an odd look for someone with Ivy League degrees from Harvard and Yale, who isn't particularly associated with fishing.
Decades ago, a politician who successfully wore a casual look was President Ronald Reagan. Reagan often donned plaid Western shirts, cowboy boots, and trucker jackets. Although some in the press criticized these outfits as "costumes," they enhanced his appeal to rural Midwestern voters.
Walz channels a similar appeal. At a Harris rally soon after his viral "weird" comment about Republicans, Walz wore Carhartt work pants, rugged shoes, and a camo cap featuring the U.S. Special Forces crest. During a tour of Dutch Creek Farms in Northfield, Minnesota, with President Joe Biden, he appeared in a tan canvas LL Bean barn coat, blue jeans, and a "Minnesota Grown" ball cap. At Democratic Party retreats, he wears quarter-zip fleeces under a buffalo-plaid Filson Mackinaw Cruiser, a favorite among Midwestern outdoorsmen. In a campaign video showing an orchestrated phone call between Harris and Walz, Walz was in a black t-shirt, tan chinos, a camo cap, and white sneakers. The choice to display Walz in casual wear and introduce camo campaign merchandise highlights how the Harris team understands the impact of his blue-collar image.
Walz’s outfits are visually effective because they are culturally consistent, combining workwear with workwear rather than mismatched styles, as DeSantis did. His wardrobe includes heritage American brands like LL Bean, Carhartt, Filson, and Red Wing. Most importantly, they exude a quality that fashion experts often struggle to define: authenticity. Walz’s authentic look stems from his small-town Nebraska upbringing, education at a state college, service in the Army National Guard, and his background as a high school geography teacher and football coach.
This authenticity explains why Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly looks natural in bomber jackets, why former President George W. Bush believably wore cowboy boots, and why figures like John Kerry and Mitt Romney comfortably sport preppy barn coats.
Former President Donald Trump, on the other hand, typically sticks to a uniform of navy suits, white shirts, and red ties, reinforcing his businessman image.
Walz adopts the opposite strategy: his choice of durable work clothes, t-shirts, and jeans underscores his humble heartland roots, which the Harris campaign hopes will resonate with voters in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.
With the election likely to be decided by narrow margins, Walz’s casual attire might just make a decisive difference.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
