Political Style Etiquette

Apr 21, 2009 by Candace Lombardi

As the public continues to pore over the fashion choices of our top leaders, one thing is clear: The rules of etiquette may be unwritten but certainly not unspoken

Here, a closer look at the sartorial scrutiny of modern-day political figures. Could we stand to loosen our standards of style?

When President Obama recently introduced the first family’s Portuguese water dog, Bo, America’s leader was wearing tailored, ready-for-work attire and was criticized for “suiting up” for the occasion.

Alaska governor Sarah Palin found herself in a clothing-related controversy when it was discovered that the self-described middle-class hockey mom had a spendthrift side: The former beauty queen and VP hopeful’s campaign wardrobe was worth a whopping $150,000!

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice reviewed the U.S. troops at Wiesbaden Army Airfield in Germany in February 2005 wearing what some thought was a distractingly sexy look—a long, sleek fitted black coat, a black skirt that fell above the knee, and knee-high stiletto boots.

Carla Bruni ’s fondness for flats is no secret. But the demure style the former model has adopted since marrying French president Nicolas Sarkozy (who stands a mere 5’5″ to her 5’9″ frame) is often considered dowdy, especially alongside Michelle Obama, who prefers a leg-elongating, though still modest, kitten heel.

In 2002, then–British prime minister Tony Blair raised eyebrows when he appeared at an Australian Commonwealth meeting with Queen Elizabeth II in attendance sporting a controversial dress shirt by British designer Paul Smith. The shirt’s offending mark? The brand’s famous “naked lady” image emblazoned on the inside cuff.

Despite the fact that former first lady Jackie Kennedy was often photographed in sleeveless shifts, Michelle Obama ’s official portrait, almost a half century later, was met with disapproving chatter because of her decision to bare her arms.

Continues reading on Elle…