Politicians are often known for an iconic look. Vladimir Lenin had a shaved head. Pierre Trudeau wore rose boutonnières. Chinese leaders still wear Mao suits to black-tie events. And Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is always seen in her omnipresent blue, and sometimes green, jackets.
Asked if she is trying to send a message, or establish a trademark, by her fashion, Preckwinkle responded, “No. I just like blue. And actually it’s mostly blue and green.”
Years ago, when she was in City Council, Preckwinkle read an article about how women in high-profile positions oftentimes wound up wearing the same color palette as powerful men: black, brown and grey. She looked in her closet, saw her clothes were the same colors, realized she didn’t like that and went shopping.
Preckwinkle also has a red jacket she wears on Valentine’s Day and to events about heart health, one pink jacket she wears to events for her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, and a black suit for mourning. For black-tie events, she just wears a black suit.
