As Puck’s Lauren Sherman reported in her Line Sheet newsletter this week, New York City–based label Monse received over 800 preorders for its asymmetrically tailored jacket after it was worn by Michelle Obama to deliver one of the most powerful speeches at the Democratic National Convention. Obama, who works with stylist Meredith Koop, has always been a master at positioning American brands, both big and small, both high and low, on the main stages of the world.

She did it first with J.Crew and later, with designers who at the time were still on the rise, like Jason Wu, and she did it all while still remaining authentically herself and true to her inherent sense of style. The point was actually never really about the look, but instead, the idea that maybe, just maybe, Obama’s embrace of those labels would help propel those businesses forward, from their seamstresses to their factories to the people working behind the scenes in the studios and ateliers: an American first lady supporting the American fashion industry. And yes, she was first lady, an entirely different job, in which women don’t often get a voice, and as a result, often have to use clothes to send messages about their policies and beliefs.

Women in global leadership positions can change an industry. Just as so many speakers noted throughout the entirety of the DNC, it’s about focusing on the people working in American factories, on the ground; it’s about productivity. If “show, don’t tell” is something Harris really believes in, then she could take a more nuanced approach in terms of the designers she chooses to wear. For better or worse, her appearance and her clothes will be scrutinized. So why not pick out something to wear from Sergio Hudson or Christopher John Rogers again? Maybe a jacket from Willy Chavarria or Khaite or Rachel Comey. Tory Burch, Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, and Adam Lippes all do the kind of beautiful tailoring that befits a commander in chief. What American designers’ versions of a Harris suit would do is inspire people to Google those designers’ names, discover their Instagram feeds, shop for their clothes, and pour money back into their independent brands, large or small.

Fashion, as a very famous designer once told me, is not a light industry in America, so we should never treat it like one. America has always played second fiddle to the high fashion houses of Europe, and by not choosing to wear designers from her home country, Harris perpetuates that messaging, in a way. No matter the price tag on the garment, if it’s made here, it’s made by Americans, and that’s who Harris was addressing last night.

There is a fight ahead for Democrats, and this week’s DNC undoubtedly showed that Harris is up for the job, no matter how she chooses to dress. It should also be said that she is just getting started and, if elected, will have plenty of time in the White House to add different labels to her repertoire if she chooses to. Whatever her decisions are, though, it’s most important that they are in fact hers. In the spirit of all she stands for, here’s hoping she’ll don some American designers between now and November. That’s the strength of wearing and doing.

Brooke Bobb is the fashion news director at Harper’s Bazaar, working across print and digital platforms. Previously, she was a senior content editor at Amazon Fashion, and worked at Vogue Runway as senior fashion news writer.