Hillary Clinton Fans Sport Pantsuits to the Polls

ealmandhindes/Instagram(NEW YORK) — Hillary Clinton supporters are suiting up to the polls in homage to the Democratic candidate’s signature look.

The movement is led by Pantsuit Nation, a “secret,” invite-only group on Facebook that has amassed over 2 million members in just 18 days.

Don’t boo – vote! 💁🏻#ImWithHer #electionday pic.twitter.com/WPIgGPZSLb

— Drew Isserlis Kramer (@DrewKrama) November 8, 2016

Libby Chamberlain says she started the Facebook group with a simple mission to promote wearing pantsuits to the polls, but it has become more than just that.

“It really evolved into a space that’s far away from the toxic vitriol of the election,” Chamberlain told ABC News.

Instead, the group calls for sharing positive messages and personal stories.

My son has come with me every election day. Every. One. He has never seen me cry while voting. I was surprised, too. #pantsuitnation pic.twitter.com/mKwTFUgmfD

— Aymie Walshe (@AymieWalshe) November 8, 2016

The American Psychological Association points to the 2016 election as a potential source of stress.

“Election stress becomes exacerbated by arguments, stories, images and video on social media that can heighten concern and frustration, particularly with thousands of comments that can range from factual to hostile or even inflammatory,” Lynn Bufka, APA’s associate executive director for practice research and policy, said in a news release.

Ready to elect @HillaryClinton in Florida! #turnout #pantsuitnation #ImWithher pic.twitter.com/ZcMpVhMoCD

— Bonnie (@bonniecasillas) November 8, 2016

This, founder Chamberlain says, explains why the group is so popular. It’s a safe space for those genuinely excited about the Clinton campaign and the prospect of her presidency.

#ImWithHer #TheFutureisFemale #pantsuitnation pic.twitter.com/wK2QVm8KfJ

— SL | SL (@slsterlingsgold) November 8, 2016

“I think that there was a real lack of attention being paid to this group of people who are really firmly in support of secretary Clinton and enthusiastic about her and not just thinking of her as the candidate against their opponent,” she said.

“The media narrative has been that people don’t like her but there’s a huge group of people that are enthusiastic about her. So when this space came into being, people flocked to it. We think that she’s incredible and that she’s an unprecedented candidate in terms of her preparation and her experience and her vision for the country,” Chamberlain added.

Many in the group are wearing white pantsuits in particular, because white was the official color of the women’s suffrage movement.

“It’s been amazing to see the growth of the group, the overall positivity and lack of hostility, the theme of love and kindness that Hillary Clinton speaks about and her campaign speeches have shown,” Chamberlain said.

 

Copyright © 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.

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