The Campaign Trail Cometh
Sep 8, 2010
This morning, I awoke to the stark realization that Election Day is less than two months from now. And since the days of door knocking, lit dropping, hand shaking, baby kissing, sign waving fun are almost upon us, it’s time to set the campaign strategy on the back burner and start thinking about wardrobe choices. Because bridging the gap between Capitol Hill style and campaign trail style is more challenging than most newbies realize.
In 2008, I wrote a series of posts called Project Campaign Trail that explained what to pack and how to make the most out of a handful of pieces. While I plan to do the same thing this cycle, I’m thinking about expanding the campaign coverage just slightly. And that’s where y’all come in.
Because how you dress depends on what region and what race you are working, I think there will be a lot of questions. So if you have an Ask Belle related to campaign trail attire, please send it to capitolhillstyle (at) gmail (dot) com subject line Project Campaign Trail.
Since the Trail can be a lonely, desolate land filled with unkempt miscreants (interns), stale pizza and late nights, we need to put partisanship aside and band together. If you have tips or tricks that you would like to share on how to stay warm, look stylish, or fake that full night’s sleep look while on the trail, please send those along as well. I would especially appreciate tips on how to dress for races in urban and warm weather districts since the race I volunteered for is decidedly rural and chilly.
Also, if you have photos of your favorite campaign trail attire, feel free to send those along. We love real life examples.
Fifty-five days and many sleepless nights to go until Election Day, so Project Campaign Trail will commence on October 1st so everyone has time to shop/pack. Get your post suggestions, tips and photos in before then if you can. As for myself, I need to go have another cup of coffee, I need to prepare my stomach lining for the espresso onslaught that awaits.
In a word: SHOES! I'm a champion door-knocker (if I do say so myself). What can you recommend that will allow me to cover six to eight miles in a day (while running from the occasional large angry dog) that isn't a sneaker?
Megan – we wear Merrell Marinas. Looks like a boat shoe/moc, but wears like a tennis shoe. Best price is on Amazon.
I just Googled them, and Sierra Trading Post has them for $62.95 and Amazon for $69. Probably lucky sizes only.
KLo is right, sorry about that. However, if you search from the amazon homepage, you can find the ink and ivory Merrell Marinas for $59. I can take volunteers doorknocking for hours in these shoes and then go to a commuity picnic or casual event and my feet are comfortable all day. I own a pair in ivory, and they have fantastic for the summer. I wanted something darker for the fall and just ordered a pair in ink. I've been wearing them barefoot all summer, and this might not make a difference in the fall when we switch into pants and socks mode, but I appreciate that the lining pops out easily and I can wash it. That's a necessity when wearing them every day. I had never owned Merrells (or really, any type of outdoors shoe) before these, and after owning a pair I'm sold on this style.