Advertisement

Gifts with a Presidents Day twist: American All-Star

Share

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.


There’s one style move in the world that never fails to set an American apart: clunky, often glaringly white, sneakers. Like it or not, they’re an inherent part of our culture’s laid-back lifestyle and our commander-in-chief’s sporty wardrobe -- as are sweats, tees, windbreakers, et al.

While practicality and comfort tend to trump fashion for many Americans, President Obama has finely crafted his land-of-the-free look into a mostly winning style sensibility. Both on and off the first-ever White House basketball court, he’s regularly spotted in a neutral uniform of basketball sneaks, tees, sweats and caps by brands such as Nike and The North Face. From the Weatherproof windbreaker down to his flip-flops, Obama’s fashion choices have taken presidential fashion to a whole new level of casual.

Advertisement

But Jimmy Carter made a similar “of the people” fashion statement in his Mr. Rogers cardi. And for the record, there’s a long history of very affordable First Windbreakers, dating back to Dwight D. Eisenhower. Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush had their names embroidered on theirs (Bush even added a presidential seal – there was no mistaking who was boss).

We think a president dressed to suggest he might sweat (who wouldn’t, in his shoes?) along with a first lady known for her abs and her equally impressive efforts to fight child obesity, is pretty boss, too. We just might add a bit of Born in the U.S.A. color— say, the his-and-hers Windrunner jackets at top and at right (a timeless 1980s style with just a teeny bit of retro edge) from one of the president’s favorite labels ($80 each at store.nike.com).

--Ingrid Schmidt

Photos: Top and right, his and her windbreakers. Photo credit: Nike.

Middle, President Obama and staffers play basketball at Martha’s Vineyard in 2009. Credit: Pete Souza/EPA

Wednesday: A tie vote

Advertisement