Why Do GOP Presidential Candidates Dress Like Total Schlubs?

by Justin Fenner | 3:57 pm, September 21st, 2011

There’s really not much more to presidential fashion that suits and ties, but when it comes to presidential candidates, it’s a whole other story. By and large, the field of Republicans jockeying for Barack Obama‘s job have abandoned formality in an attempt to send a political message.

Take a closer look at the campaign stops, the rallies and other various appearances and you might notice that everyone from billionaire-ambassador Jon Huntsman to physician-congressman Ron Paul has been dressing down — and we mean way down. The Wall Street Journal reports that Instead of the swath of Brooks Brothers suits and J.Press ties we’d expect to see on the backs of men of their ilk (and considerable wealth), we’re seeing the rolled ups sleeves of flannel shirts, jean jackets, and worst of all, dad jeans.

It’s all because the candidates want to distance themselves from their beginnings (well, most of them — Texas Gov. Rick Perry actually worked for a living on his way to political fame, so he can get away with wearing a suit) in order to connect with people who don’t have the same advantages or bank accounts as they do. After all, it’s those people who make up the bulk of the country, so the more relatable these guys seem, the better.

Or at least that’s what they think. As far as the fashion industry is concerned, dressing down can make these guys look like fools. Esquire wrote a post about Mitt Romney‘s sartorial choices entitled “Mitt Romney’s New Strategy: Stop Dressing Well.”

You’d think that these guys would be able to pull off slightly better looks, considering that they’re styled just as intensely as any of Rachel Zoe‘s clients. Per the Journal:

Looking thrown-together is anything but seat-of-the-pants for a potential president. Washington haberdashers counsel politicians to wear dress shirts, which have smaller armholes, instead of shirts made for casual wear, which can look baggy. Sleeves should be rolled to above the elbow, not the middle of the forearm. One button should be left open, not two.

But maybe those rules are the problem, and not the solution. Maybe the candidates should stick to what they know. That strategy seems to be working for the sole woman in the race, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, who always looks like she’s getting ready to head into a boardroom because she means business.

But they candidates won’t determine who wins the race. You will. So does what they wear actually matter? Would you prefer it if the guys in the race suited up, or does their inelegance actually help get their message across?

[WSJ]

Michele Bachmann Mitt Romney Presidential Candidates Rick Perry Ron Paul style

Anonymous

I’ve always thought this fake dress-down was stupid. Who do they think they’re fooling?
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JUT2TATEV3OHGQ7HZRYN472XVM Felix

Obama Explains His Mom Jeans: “I’m A Little Frumpy
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/21/obama-explains-his-mom-je_n_241765.html
Jason

The only thing dumber than this article is that it was written by a “man”. I suppose the liberals would probably like their “president” wearing jeans hanging off their ass and a sideways baseball hat, but that’s not what the majority of us look for.
http://mediamatters.org/ Leedog

They must feel that’s how they can relate to the Hillbillies in the Republicon Party!!
Valkyrie101

You’re looking for flannel shirts? Heaven forbid that Mit, or “Willard” as he is sometimes called, be caught dead wearing the starched white shirt of takeover artist.
Valkyrie101

The only one of those three who looks the part is Paul, and that’s because he often takes chickens in loo of payment from uninsured Texas residents.
NoE

Lovely attitude – still in junior high?
Anonymous

You are kidding, right? Haven’t you noticed the American male either dresses like an idiot, a “schlub,” For pete’s sake, they won’t even tuck in their shirt or shine their shoes.

That is because, “chicks” think “Guys” (Men, they are “Men,” dammit, not Guys.) look cute with a hat on sideways and their trousers hanging down. When I was younger, we wanted to be svelte and cool, not slovenly and unkempt.

Get some self respect!

Purveyor
http://www.jerseymall.org nanlan

tinyurl.com/4skyaqr
http://www.jerseymall.org nanlan

tinyurl.com/4skyaqr
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1497076194 Travis Pierson

I was in grade school in ’80 and had to write a paper about what I would do as President. The thrust of my two paragraphs was that suits would be banned in my White House. Everyone would wear casual clothes. I thought it was a great idea then but, now that I’ve matured a bit, I think the President needs to show more professionalism.

These guys are candidates who spend hours a day meeting with voters. Heaven forbid THEY be comfortable. They just need to look presentable – and they all do. As long as the guy who defeats President Obama wears a tie in the Oval Office, keeps his feet off the Resolute Desk and doesn’t board Air Force One dressed like a schlub, I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt about him being serious about the job.
Jack

nobody is going to defeat President Obama.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1497076194 Travis Pierson

You must be a comedian. By the time the election rolls around, the Republicans will be able to run a badger gnawing on a baby seal carcass and he’ll beat Obama. Sorry. Barack simply has no clue what he’s doing and people are catching on.
Anonymous

Barack and his mom jeans

http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2008/10/barack_obama_upgrades_his_mom.html

Why Do GOP Presidential Candidates Dress Like Total Schlubs?

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