19 Comments
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Shawn "Smith" Peirce's avatar

Indeed. The mainstream media won't focus on this.

In fact, the NYTimes has it's fashion writers doing coverage of Trump's NY trial (instead of a legal reporter, because why would they do that).

A fun way to start the week, Brian.

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Zachary Mazin's avatar

I see what you did here, Beutler. Nice work. (And Joe is looking pretty svelte.)

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Brian Beutler's avatar

If I'm half as spry at 80, I'll be happy. Wouldn't run for president, but would count it a victory over the ravages of life.

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Susan Travis's avatar

Would have loved to see you include the "formal clothing" choice by trump when he visited the Queen! That, too, was a hilarious misfit, in so many ways.

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Brian Beutler's avatar

🐧

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Susan Travis's avatar

Yep!!

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MAP's avatar

They refuse to cover ANYTHING good about Joe Biden. If it isn’t a gaffe or his age, they cannot be bothered. I have pretty much stopped reading political coverage in Wapo and the NYT (and a host of other places, including NY mag--looking at you, Chait.)

I mean the headline in the Times yesterday about Trump’s “vermin” reference in his speech? Atrocious.

Good to see you give President Biden the props he deserves, and you didn’t even mention the aviators.

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Deborah Lang's avatar

I'm down to the Guardian only now, pretty decent USA reporting plus Euro/Asia etc....news as well and some of the best opinion writing ever with John Crace and Marina Hyde. They do bits on U.S. and U.K.--:)

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Jacob Crites's avatar

TRULY off message and we love to see it

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Matt M's avatar

Now THIS is Political Journalism.

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Wendy's avatar

Love this so much!

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skip's avatar

Thanks. As someone raised in the clothing business and who's an admitted clothes horse your commentary is spot on about both the President's wardrobe *and* DTs choices and the reasons for them. The fact that you used the word "natty" is far more than a cherry on the top.

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Carol Ann McKeown's avatar

What a delightful surprise of an article! Loved it. I would also suggest that how he dresses makes him look very fit. An important contrast.

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Gwynne Young's avatar

I kept scrolling up to check if it really was you writing this. Finally! A critique of men’s appearance. High time, too!

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Gayle's avatar

Thank you for this! I'm usually afraid to read your posts...I'm a total Democratic bed wetter.

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Shoofly's avatar

Many, many years before Obama was president I looked at wool fabric swatches for summer suits from my tailor. The swatch of tan was more appealing in all ways than the others samples. The color, the weave, the feel. But it was just too different. I looked and looked through the dozen patches and there was no event I could imagine where I would not simply stand out like a big bolt of tan fabric in a crowd of - not tan. And considering the it was so much nicer than the other earth tones, it would stand out even among similar hues. Settled for a light gray.

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Sharon's avatar

I guess a lot of style choices have changed. Back in the before-time, the 80s, khaki and olive suits were considered appropriate for summer suiting. Ok, maybe not for bankers, but they were common. Hell, even Wrinkly Ronnie wore a tan suit in the White House. While I may crank about suit color, I will completely agree with you on the dumpy DC suits most politicians shamble around in. I wasn’t a fan of Romney, but the one good thing his team did was cut Paul Ryan’s hair and stick him in a decent suit.

Re: Jimmy Carter Style

I always thought that Carter sat right in the middle of 70s menswear and style. No poly disco shirts open to the navel with a gold medallion, but no Nixon in a suit on the beach. The photos look ICK! because a lot of 70s fashion was, ICK!

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Becky Daiss's avatar

What a delight! Thank you.

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Cenzo's avatar

As someone who's worked in finance for decades and worn suits for much of that time, I always felt like Trump looked like someone tried to dress up a hobo or a kid who had a get a suit at the last minute for graduation or a funeral. the overlarge pants and jacket but especially the tie hanging down to his crotch !!!! continues to mystify me. I'm no slender man myself, but you're right, it's about fit as much as anything else and he always looks pretty ridiculous

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