A Brief History of Political Style Follies
It’s Election Day, at last. During the race, we’ve seen countless suit-and-tie combinations from our two candidates, most of which are minute variations on the same campaign camouflage—and therefore extremely boring. But it’s worth noting that political style has a history of controversy. Here, some of the greatest hits.
1
In tough economic climes, political spouses have been criticized for being a touch tone-deaf in their styling choices.
During her appearance on CBS This Morning earlier this year, Ann Romney’s $990 Reed Krakoff T-shirt (featuring an eagle motif) set off a media firestorm.
2
In 2009, Michelle Obama (perhaps unwittingly) sported $540 Lanvin sneakers … to a D.C. soup kitchen.
3
Hillary Clinton, despite her current popularity, is still haunted by her choice of hair accessories over the years.
From headbands … to scrunchies… to butterfly clips…
4
Jackie Kennedy’s predilection for French couture was so controversial that she had to consult Diana Vreeland for advice on American designers.
5
Decades before Rooney Mara, Mamie Eisenhower’s short bangs became her style signature; not everyone, however, approved. Periodically, the First Lady received letters strongly urging her to adopt a hairstyle that was a bit “more becoming.”
6
Richard Nixon was the subject of much mockery for his formal surfside footwear.
7
Mary Todd Lincoln’s, um, emancipated necklines caused one Senator to write his own wife sputtering about the “weak-minded Mrs. Lincoln and her sorry show of skin and bones.”
8
Bill Clinton, in his presidential pomp, was noted for jogging in booty shorts.
