Does anyone else wish the Presidency was a bit more informal?

[DevotedDemocrat]

What I mean is...It feels weird seeing the President in a full dress suit and tie all the time. I know this is a petty thing, but I'd imagine it gets boring even to a President to have to wear a suit all the time. It's like a uniform. I think people would relate a lot better to the President--or any President for that matter--if the President just dressed as he would if he were a regular citizen. But would it degrade the Office of the Presidency?

I'm not saying the President should be in Jeans and a T-Shirt all the time. A suit should be worn when addressing Congress or giving speeches, of course, or meeting with a foreign official. But surely there are times when the President can "let his hair down" so to speak without appearing undignified?

It makes me wonder, historically speaking: Did Washington "dress up" when he was President, or did he simply continue wearing his regular clothes?

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Well Washington was already rich at the time, so "dressing up" may have been his regular clothes!

[Link]

It makes me wonder, historically speaking: Did Washington "dress up" when he was President, or did he simply continue wearing his regular clothes?

The average day to day attire of a high ranking federal employee in Washington's day would be considered a tux with tails by today's standards.  It's not that there is a problem with the modern presidential attire it's just that just about everyone else dresses like complete slobs.  What presidents wear today is the minimum.  I don't even like it when they do the unbuttoned shirt collar, no coat, no tie thing.

[DevotedDemocrat]

It makes me wonder, historically speaking: Did Washington "dress up" when he was President, or did he simply continue wearing his regular clothes?

The average day to day attire of a high ranking federal employee in Washington's day would be considered a tux with tails by today's standards.  It's not that there is a problem with the modern presidential attire it's just that just about everyone else dresses like complete slobs.  What presidents wear today is the minimum.  I don't even like it when they do the unbuttoned shirt collar, no coat, no tie thing.

Oh believe me, if it were up to me, we'd still dress like we did in the 50s---button down shirts and slacks and fine shoes.

[opebo]

Reminds me of this dystopian future, in which officialdom was quite casually attired:

[dead0man]

Everything should be more informal.  People that enjoy dressing up are weird.  We're mammals, all this shaving, jewelry, tattoos, fancy dress is all just airs.  A front.  Clothing should be comfortable and utilitarian.  Like a vehicle, relationship or tool.

[opebo]

Everything should be more informal.  People that enjoy dressing up are weird.  We're mammals, all this shaving, jewelry, tattoos, fancy dress is all just airs.  A front.  Clothing should be comfortable and utilitarian.  Like a vehicle, relationship or tool.

I do agree it should be comfortable, however I honestly find my slacks and tucked in button-down shirt just as comfortable as the shorts and T-shirt I might wear on a weekend at the beach.

[minionofmidas]

Tie-wearing Presidents should be impeached.

[Sasquatch]

I've wondered this myself. Also, why don't presidents ever change their hairstyle or grow facial hair in the 4-8 year period as president?

[© tweed]

Reminds me of this dystopian future, in which officialdom was quite casually attired:

great film.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     It would be pretty embarrassing to have a President who was informally attired, though no more embarrassing than other things that Presidents do.

[Lief 🗽]

Uh, no. The presidency has already become too informal. They don't even wear morning dress for the inauguration anymore!