WTW to canvass door-to-door? - YouLookFab Forum

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WTW to canvass door-to-door?

crazyone

Veteran

I am going to canvass door-to-door for my preferred candidate in Manchester, NH for a few hours tomorrow (and hopefully meet a relatively famous senator in the bargain)--any suggestions on what I should wear? Comfortable shoes, obviously, but I would like to look nice since I am intruding a bit on people's lives.

Dressing

14 replies

Latest reply was from crazyone

JAileen

Veteran

I've been volunteering registering people to vote. I've been dressing for the weather, but also to look "normal." The other day I wore boyfriend jeans, breton shirt, utility jacket, seatbelt bag, and my silver fitflop slip-ons. Okay, the shoes might have been over the top, but they're as comfortable as slippers. Also minimal jewelry.

crazyone

Veteran

JAileen, that's so interesting--I was actually thinking of it in the opposite way, that I should dress up (though not in blingy clothes) to at least business casual because of the person-facing nature of the task. But you're probably right.

carter

I vote business casual. It's been a few years since I was active in politics, but you're representing your candidate. My son had to wear a coat and tie to go door to door with his candidate this summer...and that's in Florida!

JAileen

Veteran

My area is very casual. Also, I don't want people to make assumptions about me because I have fancy jewelry, for example. I was assigned to a paid staffer who is my son's age. She never said anything about what I was wearing. So either it doesn't matter, or I was doing it right. I don't know which.

Staysfit

Veteran

This is a time when knowing the demographics of the neighborhoods you will be canvassing would be helpful. Are they conservative or liberal? I think the more conservative the location, the more formal you need to dress.

Regardless, wear something that if you took a peek out the sidelight of your door and saw someone like yourself standing there, you would be inclined to open. Neat, clean, polished. Probably not overdone, etc.

ETA: It's exciting that you may get to meet some key politicians. I hope you put this opportunity to good use!

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I'm probably going to go hang door hangers and I hadn't really thought that someone might see me. I'm so glad this came up. I will be more thoughtful about what to wear.
I've made some phone calls; my outfit didn't matter then.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Good for you. I don't think you'll find anyone in New Hampshire (even a city) to be too dressed up today. I've been enjoying having all female elected representatives for the last two years.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Smart Casual, polished and professional. Good luck.

rachylou

Veteran

Yes, don't wear a cap and shorts, like you're going to summer camp.

My mum chased a canvasser off her porch, btw. Lol. It was hilarious just hearing about it. So I'm just saying...beware the senior citizens. Hehe. But no, ok, it was the smarmy property developer candidate guy who wants to solve our housing crisis by building $3000 a month condos to AirBnB out...he's a nit..

Vildy

Veteran

I've been a local politician and have done quite a lot of door knocking.
I agree with Polly Bergen's advice in her book: paraphrasing - when you knock on someone's door you have the advantage of them. You got to decide how to look and when to knock but they may still be in a bathrobe or have just washed the dog. So you want to respect your purpose - asking for their ear for an important issue for everyone so, clean and tidy - but you don't want to one-up anyone. I'd say to wear the kind of leisure around the house clothes you see them wear. I would definitely not be overdressed unless I knew for a fact that the people who lived there hung out at home in more formal clothing.

ETA: Denim is the great leveler around the world and signals belonging.

You might consider wearing jeans or perhaps a denim jacket.

ETA: more second thoughts. I don't know if you live nearby. What I used to open with was, "Hello, I'm you neighbor _________ over on ______ Road. " You want to look like their neighbor, my opinion. You want to give the idea that people like us (you and your neighbor you're approaching) have an interest in voting for this candidate/these issues.

Joy

Veteran

I'm liberal but would not open my door to anyone in jeans, athletic sneakers and a tee although that's what most people wear. More professional dress.

Laurinda

Veteran

Maybe a little red, white & blue
Try to avoid the very formal look that people have when promoting a religion door-to-door -- black pants, white shirt & tie.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

This is interesting. I agree with Laurinda. In my area, we get a lot of door knocking from religious groups. They are dressed formally, the women always in dresses or skirts. I would be inclined to open the door for someone (male or female) who was wearing jeans and comfortable shoes, but with a jacket and woven shirt. (So I think jeans are ok but look at Joy's comment too.)

Aileen -- I want to thank you for volunteering to register people.

crazyone

Veteran

wow, lots of differing opinions here and a lot of wisdom! I ended up wearing my new cold-shoulder tee, the schoolboy blazer in navy, my crazy floral pants that I wore here (actually, it's a very similar outfit), and the new-ish Franco Sarto loafers. I was definitely mildly overdressed compared to the rest of the volunteers, though the group of volunteers I canvassed with was dressed a bit more nicely. I did get a compliment on my pants from a voter No pictures because I was so tired after I got back that I immediately crashed and took a nap! I never nap, so that tells you how tired I was

I would probably dress down a bit if I go again, the point Vildy makes about catching people in their bathrobes, etc. is a true one that I experienced.

Overall it was a very interesting experience!

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