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Barack Obama "Simply Incorrect" On Tuxedo Issue

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Grim Reaper of the Forest
01/23/09

In reply to Barack Obama "Simply Incorrect" On Tuxedo Issue
Maybe he just wanted to match his tie to Michelle's dress. That is my explanation.
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queenieinmanhattan
01/23/09

In reply to Barack Obama "Simply Incorrect" On Tuxedo Issue
I prefer shawl collars on my man's tuxedo, thanks.
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Treeless
01/23/09

In reply to Barack Obama "Simply Incorrect" On Tuxedo Issue
It's cute how somebody at Slate thinks the most powerful man in the free world gives a damn.

The powerful set trends, they don't grovel beneath them. Queen Victoria broke with the traditions of her time and wore a white wedding gown. And look what happened!

But I honestly didn't notice the break from tradition 'cause I was too busy noticing how a white tie was the perfect choice for his skin tone and went with Michelle's white dress, and more importantly, how lovingly he looked at his wife.

Finally...intentionally or unintentionally, mixing black and white to great effect is a powerful METAPHOR. For the love of God.
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Rooo sez BISH PLZ
01/23/09

@Treeless: *sends you a shiny internet*
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NotChoinski
01/23/09

In reply to Barack Obama "Simply Incorrect" On Tuxedo Issue
Reminds me of the Simpsons episode where Marge is throwing an important dinner party. The doorbell rings.

Marge: Homer! You had only one job to do, and that was to put some pants on. And you didn't do it!

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NotChoinski
01/23/09

In reply to Barack Obama "Simply Incorrect" On Tuxedo Issue
I think its fitting that a candidate famous for wearing the same shoes everyday (with worn out soles) and owning just a few suits should make a few faux pas. (Unless he's being dressed/advised by a fashion consultant, whereby the consultant shouldn't be making these errors on a Government dime).
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Lana Leigh loves Meryl Streep
01/23/09

In reply to Barack Obama "Simply Incorrect" On Tuxedo Issue
I was wondering why he didn't wear a black bow tie? And then it was crooked almost the entire night. Oh well.
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Rooo sez BISH PLZ
01/23/09

@Ava-Scarlett: White tie is more formal than black.

I will refrain from making jokes about crooked things and earlier Administrations. I will be elliptical. You fill in the blanks.
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gobblegirl
01/23/09

In reply to Barack Obama "Simply Incorrect" On Tuxedo Issue
I find this really fascinating. As a girl, and a slobby one at that, I'm not terribly acquainted with men's high-fashion rules-but think they're really interesting. There's so much history woven into the rules of how we dress, it's cool to learn about.

And for the record I think he looks great but would have looked awesome in tails as well.
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sybann
01/23/09

In reply to Barack Obama "Simply Incorrect" On Tuxedo Issue
Who gives the south end of a north bound rat? He looked great and it's 2009.

Go put on some white pants Jesse Sheidlower. My president's brain is of more interest to me than his damn tie.
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I'm Chuck Bass
01/23/09

In reply to Barack Obama "Simply Incorrect" On Tuxedo Issue
There are few things in the world more boring than men's clothing (Chuck Bass excepted, of course). Critiquing the correctness, or lack thereof, of men's fashion so boring I can't even fathom the concept without falling asleep on my keyboard.
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jemandtheholograms
01/23/09

In reply to Barack Obama "Simply Incorrect" On Tuxedo Issue
Since I don't get invited to enough balls, I'm not up on my menswear dress code, but I'm thinking that day one gets inaugurated as President is important enough to warrant a white tie.
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LaComtesse
01/23/09

In reply to Barack Obama "Simply Incorrect" On Tuxedo Issue
Anyone who takes this sort of thing too seriously just WANTS to be miserable. Seriously? Mr. LaComtesse was determined to wear tails to our wedding, which was outside and in the afternoon, so, technically, this was a faux-pas. Over a year later, our marriage has not ended due to his COMPLETE and EGREGIOUS lack of propriety.
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SomeAuthorGirl
01/23/09

@LaComtesse: Did you make him say his vows in a do-over the next day in the proper attire? Are you sure you're really married???!!

Har har har, I kill me!
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LaComtesse
01/23/09

@SomeAuthorGirl: Well according to Fox News, our lack of "God" in our vows rendered us unmarried as well...
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PetiteGal
01/23/09

In reply to Barack Obama "Simply Incorrect" On Tuxedo Issue
No one's saying anything about Michelle's gown, considering that she's wearing white AFTER LABOR DAY (only brides, debutantes and babies being christened/baptized can wear white between Labor Day and Memorial Day)
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labeled
01/23/09

@PetiteGal: I was always taught not to wear white SHOES, not white clothing. Though the unspoken rule was to wear "winter white" and of course, appropriate fabrics.
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labeled
01/23/09

@labeled: Also, I was probably not brought up to yell at people in caps-shouting about what is, or is not, acceptable in polite society or sartorial discussions.

Grandmother would not be pleased. In my defense, I'm typing kind of funny because my left forefinger and thumb are covered in salt and oil from my classy lunch of homemade tortilla chips.
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emilyanne
01/23/09

@PetiteGal: what about those undergoing holy communion? She said, rather pedantically it must be admitted.
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LaComtesse
01/23/09

In reply to Barack Obama "Simply Incorrect" On Tuxedo Issue
I am brought to huge sections of American Psycho wherein Patrick Bateman goes on like this about propriety of dress. Really Sheidlower, do you want to be mistaken for Patrick Bateman?
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Mkp-hearts-NYC
01/23/09

In reply to Barack Obama "Simply Incorrect" On Tuxedo Issue
Gaaah. What other perfectly executed situations/choices can we critique of his? Have you guys seen his Blackberry cover? Everyone knows gunmetal grey, not steel silver, is the appropriate covering for executive electronics - notched click wheel optional.
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Elaken
01/23/09

In reply to Barack Obama "Simply Incorrect" On Tuxedo Issue
I don't really care about rules for either gender's fashions. However I am surprised that there wasn't an etiquette/stylist type person who knows the rules and picked out his clothing. I just didn't think he'd be entirely in charge of picking out what he wore for an event like this.
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labeled
01/23/09

@Elaken: Yeah, I am too. Because (uh, have I ever mentioned that I'm from Texas, but my grandmother was Old South Southern? it's about to show...) formal dress attire for men IS etiquette. It sets the tone for the event, presumably allowing everyone to feel comfortably dolled-up and appropriately attired.
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Laulau
01/23/09

@Elaken: Perhaps this is his own tux and he just chose the white tie?

@labeled: And yes, in my family this is what we call one's "GP" (Grosse Pointe) showing. It happens rarely as I generally have better things to do, but big floofy wedding gowns that are really meant for evening to an afternoon wedding just bothers me. And don't get me started for a morning wedding... Please forgive me, we all have our tics.
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