So has the “best-dressed prez since JFK” truly ushered in a new era of men’s style in the nation’s capital?
Fashion mag GQ took a close look at some of Washington’s most powerful men and gave some thumbs up and some thumbs down. President Obama, of course, got high marks, and GQ fashion guy Glenn O’Brien even excused those frumpy dad jeans, but others in the administration weren’t so lucky.
Advisers David Axelrod and Larry Summers were named as part of the District’s most “schlubby,” and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar didn’t impress with that trademark cowboy hat and bolo tie. O’Brien even said Salazar’s Village People look made him part of the “D.C. YMCA.” Ouch.
At the same time, some of those getting the best reviews in GQ have been a fixture in Washington long before the Obamas came to town. Listed under “District Dandies” were Reps. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., John Conyers, D-Mich., and Patrick Leahy, D.-Vt. Newcomer Sen. Roland Burris also got a hat tip.
Those known for their “Power-Suiting” included the veep, Joe Biden, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y. and Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Ill., who is no stranger to the pages of the fashion periodical.
And while White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel was given some fashion advice– “Rahm’s got a great build, but he’s hiding it in grandpa suits and chintzy accessories” — speechwriter Jon Favreau and special assistant Reggie Love were given a lot of love for their looks.
And the Washingtonian who fared the worst? That honor went to the “suitable stiff” RNC Chairman Michael Steele.
The issue hits newsstands Tuesday.
