Wardrobe-Winning Candidates

What’s with the candidates and their clothes? Isn’t running for the highest office in the land worthy of a suit and tie — or at least some well-pressed trousers and an unwrinkled shirt?

In this age of eye-narrowing scrutiny, wall-to-wall media coverage, and emphasis on looks over substance, some of the 2016 presidential candidates show a puzzling lack of attention to wardrobe.

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Voters are responding to Donald Trump, as well as Carly Fiorina and Ben Carson. Could this be because, at least in part, they project power and competence through their wardrobe choices?

Take a look back at Ronald Reagan, whom many of the current candidates readily identify as the greatest Republican leader of modern times.

Trump looks like a president or scion of business from times gone by.

Even in his casual western attire, when he was relaxing with Nancy on the ranch, he looked like a spiffed-up cowboy ready for a date with his best gal at the harvest square dance. A kerchief neatly knotted at his neck, an ironed western shirt and perfectly fitting jeans topped by a Saturday cinema-worthy cowboy hat, he looked both relaxed and “in charge” even when he was on vacation.

It is head-scratchingly confusing as to why the candidates so eager to align with the Gipper don’t copy his personal style — one easy way to emulate their hero even when the substance is more difficult to come by.

Trump’s overcoat shoulders are boxy, his suits are sharp, and he often wears cufflinks.

Many in the current crop of candidates lean heavily on what is comfortable, it seems, with an unspoken motto of “slap a flag pin on it.” Ohio Gov. John Kasich, for example, could be seen slumping around a campaign event in New Hampshire in a track suit, and bafflingly, often keeps his suit coat unbuttoned when standing, as if unaware of this menswear rule.

Trump, in comparison, looks like a president or scion of business from times gone by — a Rockefeller, perhaps, evidencing the wider, well-tailored girth of a financially successful life. His overcoat shoulders are boxy, his suits are sharp, and he often wears cufflinks. He is tall at 6-feet 3-inches, and his wardrobe choices combined with his height suggest both power and decisiveness.

Even his continued long hairstyle, in the face of detractors and on its way to becoming a cultural symbol of this presidential contest, imply, “I like it. It’s staying.”

Jeb Bush? He consistently appears rumpled and harried — the George Bailey of politics.

Fiorina comes dressed for the game. She favors bold choices, and combines femininity with common sense in her dresses and skirt suits. Her wardrobe states clearly, “I am a woman, but that is completely secondary. I am a leader first.” Her popularity is climbing, and her dress exudes the confidence of a woman who is a winner.

Similarly, Carson, running second only to Trump, and in the latest poll enjoying a statistical dead heat with the businessman-turned-candidate, always looks media-ready, even in casual clothes. His wardrobe fits well, and he implies both seriousness and approachability with his style choices, throwing in wildcard — he was the only one to wear a suit with stripes at Wednesday’s debate. An intelligent man who dresses intelligently.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush? He consistently appears rumpled and harried — the George Bailey of politics. He always looks as if he has just dropped three kids at practice and is scrambling to drive through McDonald’s for dinner before finishing a spreadsheet, due the next day. His ties are often loose at a too-big collar — perhaps due to recent weight loss.

Ted Cruz gets points for dressing neatly, both in debates and while campaigning.

Is it coincidence that we are not clicking with some of the more poorly dressed candidates. Consider these less-than-snazzy dressers:

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has lost weight, too, which is good, and perhaps in our subconscious triggers the “he can exercise self-control” button. But his casual wear is awful; clothes are drab and baggy, as if he has not taken time to reflect the weight loss through some new items of clothing.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz often seems like he has grabbed his older brother’s suit by mistake, as his coats are often too big. He does get points for dressing neatly, both in debates and while campaigning, however.

On the Democratic side it’s not much better; Hillary Clinton relentlessly rocks the pastels that seem as faded as her hopes, these days. Her hairstyle often changes, sometimes only slightly, and many women picture her playing with different hairstyles, when they should be considering her ability to lead.

And Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is the picture you see when you look up “rumpled” in the dictionary. For all we know, he might just own the one suit.

Perhaps in today’s society we are of two minds: We dress more than ever like schlubs, but crave a president who looks the part in every way — pulled together, buttoned-down and ready to lead.

We yearn for a potential Ronald Reagan or even a Calvin Coolidge, who will dress for the job he wants — and fully intends to obtain.