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Vice President Kamala Harris, the current frontrunner for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination, greeted guests on the South Lawn of the White House on July 22 wearing black stilettos with a navy blue pantsuit. She arrived for an event celebrating NCAA championship teams, taking place just one day after President Joe Biden announced he would no longer seek reelection and subsequently endorsed Harris.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 22: U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris arrives for an NCAA championship teams celebration on the South Lawn of the White House on July 22, 2024 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Joe Biden abandoned his campaign for a second term after weeks of pressure from fellow Democrats to withdraw and just months ahead of the November election, throwing his support behind Harris. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) — U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris arrives on the South Lawn of the White House on July 22, 2024.

For the happy occasion, Harris wore a classic navy blue pantsuit, which included tapered trousers and a blazer fastened with a single button. The jacket included shoulder pads and an extra pocket fold on one side. Underneath the blazer was a gray blouse with an asymmetrical neckline; the shirt was made of a ruched material, adding subtle texture to the formal ensemble. Harris also wore a gold-hued American flag pin, a patriotic accessory standing out on her lapel.

Harris is a fan of the power suit, often stepping out for her engagements in a sharp monochrome set, like the maroon ensemble she wore on “Late Night with Seth Meyers” in 2022.

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A closer look at Kamala Harris' shoes. — A closer look at Kamala Harris’ shoes.

Harris complemented the elegant outfit with a classic pair of black stiletto pumps. Made of leather material, the shoes featured a pointed toe, a low-cut front with a square outline, and an enclosed back. The thin stiletto heel was a narrow cylindrical shape, gleaming silver with a black base.

Considered an elegant formal wardrobe staple, classic pumps are often favored by women in politics. Harris herself has many pairs in her wardrobe, including a tan pair she wore with a blue suit at the Essence Festival of Culture earlier this month.

US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during an event honoring National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship teams from the 2023-2024 season, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC on July 22, 2024. Joe Biden on July 21, 2024 dropped out of the US presidential election and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party's new nominee, in a stunning move that upends an already extraordinary 2024 race for the White House. Biden, 81, said he was acting in the "best interest of my party and the country" by bowing to weeks of pressure after a disastrous June debate against Donald Trump stoked worries about his age and mental fitness. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP) (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images) — US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during an event honoring NCAA championship teams from the 2023-2024 season.

Alongside pumps, Harris is also strongly associated with another type of shoes: Converse sneakers. She became known for wearing them on the campaign trail in the past, pairing them with a slightly more formal accessory: a pearl necklace. Her supporters began to don their own “Chucks and pearls,” with the movement helping to inspire a Converse shoe designed by Claima. “Chucks and pearls” is experiencing a resurgence now that she has expressed her desire to run for president after Biden left the race.

In addition to lauding the college athletes honored at the White House, Harris made remarks about President Biden.

“Joe Biden’s legacy of accomplishment over the last three years is unmatched in modern history,” Harris said, adding later in her remarks, “We are deeply, deeply grateful for his service to our nation.”