President Obama's tailor

[Milo]

but not all royalty are so unclear with white tie protocol...Of course British royals are always proper...

King Juan Carlos of Spain showing good form...his son is possibly borderline, while Mexican President...um...offends...



The Emperor of Japan, regal and correct...with, um...King Gustav again with his short coat



Also love the Emperor's break-free trousers. Here is another shorter gentleman looking absolutely regal...might be over doing a bit on the medals, though...but the protocol calls for no more than 3, and he has exactly 3.

Actually, the Emperor displays the insignia of only two Orders (not medals).

From left to right, the persons in the front row are Crown Princess Victoria, her mother Queen Silvia, Empress Michiko, King Gustav and Emperor Akihito.

The King displays, i.a., the riband and badge of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum (Japanese). He further wears the star of this Order and below it the star of his own Most Noble Order of the Seraphim. The Crown Princess, as Heir to the Swedish Throne, wears the same two decorations.

Empress Michiko wears the Seraphim riband, star and (invisible) badge.

Queen Silvia wears the riband, badge and star for Grand Cross of the Japanese Order of the Precious Crown. Historically, this Order is reserved for women; after the 2003 reform of Japanese Orders, which opened Japan's till then otherwise men-only Orders for women, its use is limited to foreign female dignitairies, such as here.

Finally, the Emperor wears the collar, badge and star of the Order of the Seraphim and the riband, badge and star of his own Order of the Chrysanthemum.

It is noteworthy a) that the Japanese Orders bestowed on the Swedes in the picture make a clear differentiation between (future) Monarch and Consort and b) that the Japanese apparently felt a need to have the Emperor out-shine not only his wife, but also his host the King. Finally, note also how as a courtesy each side wears the star of the foreign Order in a more prominent position than that of their national Order.

Milo

[pchong]

Ah, do des neh. You are right of course.

I have a question regarding the riband...is this worn from the left or right shoulder as prescribed by the order? Or is there some system?

Another question: what is the "necklace" that Emperor Akihito is wearing?

but not all royalty are so unclear with white tie protocol...Of course British royals are always proper...

The Emperor of Japan, regal and correct...with, um...King Gustav again with his short coat



Also love the Emperor's break-free trousers. Here is another shorter gentleman looking absolutely regal...might be over doing a bit on the medals, though...but the protocol calls for no more than 3, and he has exactly 3.

Actually, the Emperor displays the insignia of only two Orders (not medals).

From left to right, the persons in the front row are Crown Princess Victoria, her mother Queen Silvia, Empress Michiko, King Gustav and Emperor Akihito.

The King displays, i.a., the riband and badge of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum (Japanese). He further wears the star of this Order and below it the star of his own Most Noble Order of the Seraphim. The Crown Princess, as Heir to the Swedish Throne, wears the same two decorations.

Empress Michiko wears the Seraphim riband, star and (invisible) badge.

Queen Silvia wears the riband, badge and star for Grand Cross of the Japanese Order of the Precious Crown. Historically, this Order is reserved for women; after the 2003 reform of Japanese Orders, which opened Japan's till then otherwise men-only Orders for women, its use is limited to foreign female dignitairies, such as here.

Finally, the Emperor wears the collar, badge and star of the Order of the Seraphim and the riband, badge and star of his own Order of the Chrysanthemum.

It is noteworthy a) that the Japanese Orders bestowed on the Swedes in the picture make a clear differentiation between (future) Monarch and Consort and b) that the Japanese apparently felt a need to have the Emperor out-shine not only his wife, but also his host the King. Finally, note also how as a courtesy each side wears the star of the foreign Order in a more prominent position than that of their national Order.

Milo

[Milo]

The riband is worn from the left or right shoulder as prescribed by the Order in question. The right shoulder is more commonly used, but Orders prescribing left shoulder also exist (e.g. the Order of the Garter and the Danish Order of the Elephant).

Emperor Akihito's "necklace" is the collar of the Order of the Seraphim. This collar replaces the riband on special occasions ("collar days"). Due to the fact that King Gustav as Sovereign of the Order does not wear his collar on the photo, some might argue that the Emperor should not have done so either.

For completeness, it should be added that some Orders, but not the Seraphim, use the collar+badge+star to denote a kind of super-Grand Cross above the "usual" Grand Cross combination of badge, star and riband.

Milo

[Cufflink79]

I've always been fascinated with formal ceremonial dress, and how the lapel doesn't sag with all those metals on it.

Best Regards,

Cufflink79

[Aristide]

Gentlemen, let us not forget that Mr. Obama has cast himself as a People's President. He sees his legacy as a senator from Illinois. He is an avowed student of Abraham Lincoln. His predecessor (Mr. Bush) was a customer of Oxxford (MTM, likely) suitings. In this state of US (and global) economy, do your really expect bespoke? I find the sartorial criticism tiring, though amusing. Before I depart the soap box, I would just add that if sartorial elegance were a pre-requisite to power, leadership skills, etc., Mohatma Gandi would never have been.

[pvpatty]

Gentlemen, let us not forget that Mr. Obama has cast himself as a People's President. He sees his legacy as a senator from Illinois. He is an avowed student of Abraham Lincoln. His predecessor (Mr. Bush) was a customer of Oxxford (MTM, likely) suitings. In this state of US (and global) economy, do your really expect bespoke? I find the sartorial criticism tiring, though amusing.

While the Party line may require Obama to source his suits from American, Union-made manufacturers, surely a 'man of the people' would not be committing a crime by commissioning something from a local artisan, who is after all a hard working small businessperson like any other.

[Aristide]

Translation: A USD 10,000 (or 8,000, or 5,000) suit is out of the question.

[pvpatty]

From the Top, the White House Loosens Its Buttoned-Up Style

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/29/us/po ... ml?_r=1&hp

WASHINGTON — The capital flew into a bit of a tizzy when, on his first full day in the White House, President Obama was photographed in the Oval Office without his suit jacket. There was, however, a logical explanation: Mr. Obama, who hates the cold, had cranked up the thermostat.

“He’s from Hawaii, O.K.?” said Mr. Obama’s senior adviser, David Axelrod, who occupies the small but strategically located office next door to his boss. “He likes it warm. You could grow orchids in there.”

So much for global warming

[pchong]

correct dress does not mean expensive dress. I don't think we are suggesting he bespeaks his clothing from Savile Row, or Naples, or even MTM by Oxxford. Modest budgets can buy correct clothing. Ignorance is a poor excuse.

A notch lapelled DJ does not necessarily cost more than a more proper peak lapel one. Indeed even though a notch lapel on a DJ is correct, a peak lapelled one is better. Evening dress should not resemble business dress, and the notch lapel belongs to a business lounge suit.

A correct black tie does not cost more than a white tie. So, dear sir, your urgings to be practical and not splurge due to current economic situation is misplaced.

Tongue in cheek, though,I think Mr. Gandhi is quite nicely dressed, thank you...



But in seriousness, we are not discussing Mr. Obama's politics...that would be appropriate in a political forum, but this is a style forum...and his manner of dress certainly is on-topic.

Gentlemen, let us not forget that Mr. Obama has cast himself as a People's President. He sees his legacy as a senator from Illinois. He is an avowed student of Abraham Lincoln. His predecessor (Mr. Bush) was a customer of Oxxford (MTM, likely) suitings. In this state of US (and global) economy, do your really expect bespoke? I find the sartorial criticism tiring, though amusing. Before I depart the soap box, I would just add that if sartorial elegance were a pre-requisite to power, leadership skills, etc., Mohatma Gandi would never have been.

[/img]

[pchong]

apologies...double post during edit.

[pvpatty]

Tongue in cheek, though,I think Mr. Gandhi is quite nicely dressed, thank you...

Interesting that you post this photo of Gandhi, pchong. This is how Gandhi looked when he thought that he could still operate within the established (British-dominated) system. When he found that the route of writing letters to MPs and so on wasn't working, he adopted different political tactics as well as dress to signify a change in direction.

[whyescalar]

That is not a Mexican president.

As for our new President Obama, he could wear a pink tux with light blue-ruffled shirt, as long as he performs his job with deliberation, intelligence, humility, and steadiness.

Rant over.

[Cufflink79]

From the Top, the White House Loosens Its Buttoned-Up Style

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/29/us/po ... ml?_r=1&hp

WASHINGTON — The capital flew into a bit of a tizzy when, on his first full day in the White House, President Obama was photographed in the Oval Office without his suit jacket. There was, however, a logical explanation: Mr. Obama, who hates the cold, had cranked up the thermostat.

“He’s from Hawaii, O.K.?” said Mr. Obama’s senior adviser, David Axelrod, who occupies the small but strategically located office next door to his boss. “He likes it warm. You could grow orchids in there.”

So much for global warming

No suit jacket on in the Oval Office!!! Former President Reagan must be rolling in his grave.

Best Regards,

Cufflink79

[Trey]

Gentlemen:

President Obama's notch lapel dinner jacket and white tie were poor choices. Based on what I have observed, he seems to be studious and one who will listen to the advice of others who know more than he does in certain fields. One of those areas is likely attire. I am sure he wishes to look appropriately attired. Hopefully he will become enlightened in manners of dress.

The formal/ceremonial attire is important, but a couple of other things trouble me more regarding President Obama's dress. The most troubling part of his attire to me is that silly looking rubber bandy thing on his right wrist. What the heck is it? Is it one of those Lance Armstrong things? It looks completely undignified for the "leader of the free world."

The second, which might be a bit more controversial, because the first seems to be such a classless no-brainer, is his apparent penchant for wearing laced dress "boots" with his suits. These are not LBJ type cowboy boots, but dress shoes. I do not mean to be hypercritical of such footwear, but I do not think that they look "presidential."

Happy thoughts,

Trey

[Cufflink79]

The most troubling part of his attire to me is that silly looking rubber bandy thing on his right wrist. What the heck is it? Is it one of those Lance Armstrong things? It looks completely undignified for the "leader of the free world."

I think your right Trey about the band being a Lance Armstrong type bracelet. Senator Kerry wore one back in the 2004 campaign as well.

Best Regards,

Cufflink79