Why Do Today’s Politicians Dress Like Slobs?
6th January 2023
Kara Kennedy at the Spectator.
Politicians’ dress isn’t just a personal statement; it’s an ideological one. Look at Ron DeSantis. As the Florida governor was sworn in for his second term this week, he donned a crisp blue suit and slicked-back hair, complimenting the dresses of his daughters Madison and Mamie. His four-year-old son, Mason, looked immaculate in a matching suit. Some say shoving a blazer on a child this young is vulgar. I disagree. Mrs. DeSantis’s mint-green cape dress was chic. The whole family’s sartorial elegance oozed American conservatism. Even if you don’t know their politics, you know what the DeSantis family are all about from the first glance.
Contrast that with John Fetterman. While the newly sworn-in senator for Pennsylvania may be understandably less concerned about his attire as he recovers from a stroke, there’s no denying how shoddy he looks. In fairness, he did make more of an effort than usual when he was sworn in as a senator, donning a suit rather than his standard garb of hoodie and shorts. But he really needn’t have bothered. Fetterman’s wild unkemptness is similar to that of Boris Johnson’s, but at least the shaggy blonde mop of the former British prime minister has a certain element of charm.