I loved this article from GQ analyzing the candidates from last night’s debate. Politics aside, I loved their snarky take on each man’s debate wardrobe:
Last night, as President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney debated national policy and what not, some of us were focused on the bigger issues: which candidate dressed better for fight night. The two men, or more likely their handlers, elected to wear strikingly similar suit and shirt combos but in the end, as it often is in menswear, it’s the details that count and one candidate clearly came out on top.
On the Issue of Neckwear:
Romney came out fighting with his red striped power tie, immediately snagging our attention over obama’s micro pattern indigo number. But did you see that dimple POTUS was sporting? That’s a GQ cover-worthy knot.
On the Issue of Suits
Romney’s suit appeared to be crafted out of a finer, higher twist wool than Obama’s and we while we appreciated the former governor’s richer deep navy hue his suit suffered from black hole syndrome. His lapels seemed to blend into the body of his jacket. Obama avoided the same thing thanks to the pick stitching running along his lapels.
When it came to fit, Obama has Romney beat. Both men opted for a natural shouldered suit but Obama’s hit at his actual shoulder while Romney’s sloped, his left arm actually hanging lower than his right. POTUS also nailed the length of his suit jacket, opting for a slightly shorter, more modern cut than Romney’s. Both men, however, could use some tailoring help in the pants department.
On the Issue of Shirt Collars
This was pretty much a wash. Both men opted for the generic business man white point collar dress shirt (we’d bet money they’re non-iron too) and while neither was impressive, we’d have to favor Romney’s for being a hair shorter than POTUS’.
On the Issue of Lapel Pins
We get it. You both love America. You wouldn’t be jockeying for the big job by tossing around anecdotes about old people and couples in Appleton, Wisonsin if you didn’t. Wearing a flag lapel pin at a presidential debate is a bit redundant and so, if we have to choose, we’d go with Obama’s understated, slim one over Romney’s hulking ode to the country which was just distracting.
The Winner: Barack Obama
The sartorial victor of the night had to be Obama for knowing that less is more and simplicity trumps flash every time.
Categories: Events, Fashion, Menswear, Politics, Washington DC, workwear
Tags: fashion, Obama, Presidential Debate, Romney, Winner
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