Revenge of the ‘dad jeans’ -- president joins wife on Vanity Fair best-dressed list

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Our compatriots over in the Calendar section have posted the news that President Obama has made the grade -- style-wise anyway -- and has joined his wife (who has made the cut twice before) on Vanity Fair’s 2009 International Best-Dressed List.

That should come as a bit of a shock to those who pilloried the POTUS for the so-called ‘dad jeans’ he wore while throwing out the first pitch at the MLB All-Star game (even ‘Today’s’ Meredith Viera felt the need to ask the leader of the free world about his jeans).

I say so-called because as noted here, Obama was actually wearing a pair of Levi Strauss 501s (and I thought he looked a lot less dorky in his denim than he did on the campaign trail).

My theory? The matchy-matchy approach (see his necktie and the waistband of her dress in the above photo) shows a thoughtful approach -- and a recognition of the powerful impression personal style can make. I first noticed this when then-candidate Obama and former rival Hillary Clinton appeared together in what appeared to be a carefully coordinated shade of blue.

And, really, wouldn’t you prefer he stick to hiking up his jeans -- and not taxes?

-- Adam Tschorn

Obama on the mound: A White Sox jacket and Levi’s 501s a pitcher of style

Pictures: Michelle Obama, fashion icon

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Top photo: President Obama (above with First Lady Michelle Obama), made Vanity Fair’s International Best-Dressed List for the first time, joining his wife, who has been named twice before. Credit: Alex Brandon / Associated Press. Bottom photo: Then-Sens. Hillary Clinton and Obama in June 2008. Photo credit: Jim Young/Reuters.