Hal Rubenstein, fashion director for InStyle and long-time men’s style editor, popped into town Thursday to put D.C’s frumpy men to shame and sign some books at a party at Alton Lane. Dressed in a dark suit, ostrich-skin boots and a stack of rings on his fingers, Rubenstein chatted with Yeas & Nays about just why politicians look so bad.

President Obama? “I think his suits are tailored a little too full,” Rubenstein said. “I’d like to pull it in an inch or two.” And Mitt Romney, who some have argued has deliberately dressed less well as the campaign wore on? “I preferred him when he was more pulled together.”