CHENNAI: On any other day, beige might be a shade that fades into the background. On Thursday, however, it was a colour that stood out prominently. As polling got underway, men and women across Tamil Nadu turned up at booths in white shirts paired with beige pants. This combination has become the signature style of TVK founder Vijay ever since he stepped into the political arena, and it became the unsaid dress code among his supporters on voting day.
Supporters Embrace the Trend
“I wore beige and white so everyone knows who I am backing,” said Rupa Lakshmi, a first-time voter in Chennai. Uncomfortable wearing a shirt, Sunitha M showed up in a white kurta paired with beige pants and a dupatta. “I didn’t want to be left out,” she added. The look has been trending for days, with content creators promoting it as ‘outfit inspo for poll day’.
Colour-Coded Political Expression
Colour-coded political expression has been part of the culture in the state for decades. DMK loyalists are often associated with black and red, while VCK supporters usually go for blue. Now, TVK’s beige has added a whole new shade to the political spectrum. This raises the question: why were DMK’s MK Stalin and BJP’s K Annamalai also seen in white and beige? The answer may lie in the widespread recognition of this emerging trend.
About the Author: Tarika Balakannan is a reporter working in Madurai. She writes on education, health and corporation. Though born in the hills, she loves Madras, the city where she has spent most of her life. When she’s not writing stories, she’s busy telling them through photographs and films.
