2020 ELECTION

Stylish “Vote” Merch: Caps, Cashmere, and Tees That Send a Message


A collage with stylish “Vote” merch: caps, cashmere, and tees
Collage by Maridelis Morales Rosado for W Magazine

We have exactly two weeks to go until the 2020 presidential election. If you haven’t checked your registration status, requested an absentee ballot, or made a voting plan yet, check out our guide to voting safely this year. If you’re all set, and you’re looking for other ways to make a difference before November 3rd, you’re in the right place. This election season, designers, artists, and community orgs are taking a fresh approach to campaign swag. Instead of your starchy, run-of-the-mill tees, there’s a plethora of stylish merch available, from retro “dad caps” to cozy cashmere sweaters and delicate gold-plated rings by the likes of Marc Jacobs, Tory Burch, Aurora James, Clare V., and Thakoon. Some of the items in this list constitute a direct contribution to the Biden Victory Fund, and others help funnel money to nonpartisan get-out-the-vote initiatives like I Am a Voter and When We All Vote. Consider this your guide to nailing your election day outfit and helping motivate your community to make their voices heard.

1
Jack McCollough & Lazaro Hernandez T-Shirt, $40, store.joebiden.com

The Biden/Harris campaign collaborated with a number of American designers, including Proenza Schouler’s Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, to design their own chic takes on election merch. The proceeds from this flag t-shirt go directly to the Biden Victory Fund.

2
Ari Marcopoulos x Dover Street Market T-Shirt, $50, shop.doverstreetmarket.com

To raise funds for When We All Vote—the voter participation initiative founded by Michelle Obama, Tom Hanks, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monae, Chris Paul, Faith Hill, and Tim McGraw—the team at Dover Street Market reached out to artists and designers in their community to create a line of 100 percent charitable merch. This arty shirt by photographer Ari Marcopoulos is one of the best of the bunch.

3
Girlfriend Collective Socks, $14, girlfriend.com

Throw these socks on under a pair of cropped trousers to show your commitment to two essential actions at once. All net proceeds go toward When We All Vote.

4
Stella & Haas Ring, $29.97, stellaandhaas.com

Fifty percent of the proceeds from this playful, gold-plated ring go toward When We All Vote.

5
Marc Jacobs x Dover Street Market Pullover, $225, shop.doverstreetmarket.com

Marc Jacobs also worked with DSM on a WWAV piece. This screen-printed sweatshirt combines Marc’s signature aesthetic with a simple message.

6
Vote Cap, $30, shop.vote.org

The purchase of this low-key, chic “dad hat” counts as a contribution to Vote.org, a technology resource dedicated to simplifying political engagement and increasing voter turnout, particularly among underserved voter communities, young people, and people of color.

7
Tory Burch T-Shirt, $68, toryburch.com

For every one of these shirts sold, Tory Burch will donate $40 to I Am a Voter, a nonpartisan initiative that aims to increase voter participation nationwide.

8
Thakoon Pullover, $60, store.joebiden.com

Another Biden campaign collab, this Thakoon crewneck sweatshirt has a casual vintage streetwear vibe—the kind of piece that will still look cool a few years down the line, like a Bernie sticker on the back of an old Subaru.

9
Lingua Franca V-Neck, $380, linguafranca.nyc

The New York-based cashmere brand Lingua Franca is donating 10 percent of the proceeds from their cute “Vote” collection to Higher Heights Leadership Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening Black women’s leadership capacity and civic participation.

10
Aurora James Cap, $35, store.joebiden.com

Brother Vellies designer and 15 Percent Pledge founder Aurora James designed this 70s-esque cap in support of the Biden Victory Fund.

11
Clare V. Crossbody Strap, $95, clarev.com

A crossbody bag strap may be an unusual form of election gear, but it’s also a highly visible one. This elegant option from Clare V. helps raise money for I Am A Voter, a non-partisan movement that aims to create a cultural shift around voting and civic engagement.

12
Staud Hooded Sweatshirt, $195, staud.clothing

Add a little California cool to your voting look with this funky hoodie from Staud. Ten percent of all sales will be donated to Fair Fight, the voter advocacy organization started by Stacey Abrams.

13
Corroon Vote Tote, $200, corroon.com

This graphic tote bag is one you’ll be sure to bring out every November—plus, $25 of the proceeds from each bag will go to I Am A Voter.

14
Downtown for Democracy Barbara Kruger Tee, $55, downtown4democracy.org

The progressive PAC Downtown for Democracy invited a group of artists (including Kim Gordon, Rashid Johnson, and the Haas Brothers) to design a shirt to fund-raise for voter-turnout-boosting media buys in swing states. This Barbara Kruger edition is a pointed reminder of what’s at stake with the next supreme court justice nomination.