A Wren Says

I came across this statement from Tom Ford, when he was asked whether he would dress Melania Trump back in the first term of President Donald Trump. If you were to watch the clip in full, hear the audience clap, and read the YouTube comments, you would hear him say that he would refuse to dress the first lady because he disagrees with the politics of her husband. While he is in fact of the opposing political persuasion, that is not what he said. He said his clothes were too expensive. You can watch the clip in full for yourself.

Perhaps Tom Ford is on to something. Imagine many people in your country have been struggling with increased prices. Unemployment rates are rising. People are generally struggling with the economy. What happens then if a politician shows up to meet with constituents in designer clothing? How might the clothing choice affect their image?

Political figures are people, too. And sometimes, they like nice things, like so many of us. But unlike many of us, so much of what they wear can be used to communicate a political message, or just assumed to do so. Intentionally, many use flag pins to display their patriotism or literally roll up their sleeves to connect with the common man. But also, there was the discourse around Hilary Clinton’s pant suits, former President Obama’s tan suit, and the general scrutiny of first ladies’ wardrobes. Clothing isn’t neutral.

As we move into the start of another political term at multiple levels of government in the United States, let’s think about that. How does clothing factor into what government officials communicate to their constituents? What message does expensive clothing send?

If you had any say so, what would you want political figures to wear?