As the November 2024 elections approach, one topic that always comes to the forefront is the familiarity of each candidate. This vague concept can mean anything to voters, from a politician's upbringing to the way they speak to the clothes they wear, and undoubtedly exposes an inherent bias against female candidates whose fashion and accessories are more visible than those of male candidates.

In the case of Vice President and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, the public is focused on the jewelry she wears, which some might argue is the opposite of the middle-class message she touts on the campaign trail. At Tuesday night's presidential debate, Harris wore $800 Tiffany pearl earrings - part of the “HardWear” collection of the New York-based luxury jewelry brand. Online users compared the designs and eventually determined that she was not communicating with her team through the earrings during the debate. Sometimes women have no hidden agenda, they just want to look nice.

But after this theory was debunked, people found other ways to express their displeasure about her choice of jewelry. 'Most Americans spend $800 on savings instead of wearing it on their ears. '"

X user @endofanerajc commented on the platform.

This is not the first time Harris' jewelry choices have come under fire. A $62,000 Tiffany chain-link necklace that the vice president previously wore in a video asking for donations in August garnered more than 10.5 million views on X and 5,500 comments.

For some, the expensive jewelry (and the designer outfits she wears at key moments during her campaign) show that the wealth from her successful career as prosecutor, California Attorney General, Senator, and now Vice President, does not understand the economic plight of many Americans marks Harris as an out-of-touch person, showing that she does not understand the economic plight of many Americans. But this is in direct contrast to her middle-class upbringing as the daughter of two immigrants in Oakland, California, and in direct contrast to the “American Dream,” which promises a better life for one's children if they work hard all their lives. Harris, the embodiment of the “American Dream” and at the peak of her political career, is expected to fulfill the role of national leader without spending a dime, another contradiction of the expectations of women in the public eye.

Another user, @revhowardarson, countered the original tweet with another sentiment. She wrote: “I think $800 earrings are a perfectly normal thing for a successful professional in the late stages of her career to wear to one of the most important events in her life.” That's the crux of the matter. Many career women invest in expensive accessories that stand the test of time, whether it be jewelry or a handbag. Harris's understated earrings are one such investment, no doubt purchased for important moments and used frequently during public appearances.

It is noteworthy that male politicians, who are often seen wearing expensive watches as a symbol of power and status, are rarely subjected to such scrutiny. Take, for example, Harris's opponent, Donald Trump. Aside from being raised in the upper class, having enormous generational wealth derived from his family's real estate business, and being extremely “out of touch” with the average person, the Republican candidate regularly wears expensive watches in both public and private life. Montredo, a digital site for watch enthusiasts, has identified the three watches Trump wears the most, and if $800 earrings tell Harris he's “out of touch,” the same analysis should be made of Trump and other male politicians' accessories.

The truth of the matter is that a woman's appearance is always under the microscope, and the idea of “friendliness” has always been held to different standards by men and women. If Harris wore Claire's earrings, she would be teased for that too. It is not unreasonable to wear nice jewelry on the biggest, sunniest day of your life. Men who bring out expensive watches are often seen as admired and celebrated for looking the part.

In the world we live in today, it should be expected that public figures amass bank accounts with balances that many of us cannot even imagine. They wear earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and watches as well. So, let's be honest: How much money, privilege, and power does every American politician have in their hands?