The Red Zone of Politics

Politics are in full swing with the candidates trying to win support and momentum wherever they can find it. Each candidate is trying to establish their authentic message and their own powerhouse image. What we are seeing is a universal and conventional style of a dark navy suit, a white dress shirt and a standardized ruby red necktie. It has a strong presidential presence but is, from our fashion and tie aficionado's point of view, lacking in originality and authenticity.

Classic Mitt Romney & Rick Perry Ties

Last week, Esquire wrote an article titled “CNN Tea Party: Battle of the Solid Red, Silk Tie” and started the article with “Not even worth trying to declare a winner.” Each candidate was wearing the signature ruby red hued tie. The three ties above are a good example of ties that, we are convinced, candidates Rick Perry or Mitt Romney would like. It’s possible however, that the overuse of the iconic red tie is starting to have a negative connotation. In this political climate, the public wants a strong, self thinking leader who doesn’t conform to bureaucratic conventions.

For the sake of innovation and modernity, we would encourage the candidates to shake up their tie choices and mix it up with new colors and new patterns. First impressions are lasting impressions and we want to see the candidates for who they are. Scientific studies show that red is the color that gets the highest reaction from the viewer. It conjures up notions of victory, power and strength. But trends are starting to show that politicians need to change things up to avoid a cookie cutter aesthetic. Our founder, Hendrik Pohl, was quoted in a recent article published by SFGate that "I believe the public would respond quite positively to a change in presidential candidates' attire. If I were to consult the candidates on their clothing choices then I would add new colors such as ties in light blue, younger looking skinny ties, and even 'Winston Churchill style bow ties'."

How Presidential Candidates Should Dress Tonigh

Tonight, October 11th, GOP candidates, including Rick Perry, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, and Ron Paul, will be debating over critical issues like taxes, the deficit, the job market, unemployment, as well as their their plans to create stronger economic growth. While leadership, critical thinking, and the ability to take on important issues without "beating around the bush" should take center-stage, things like attire should not be forgotten either. We at Ties-Necktie.com have been observing how the GOP candidates dress. Thus far, to our disappointment, we have been shown the same gray suit and red tie look. Because impressions are formed within the first few seconds of meeting someone we believe that GOP candidates can use their ensemble more to their advantage. Below are some tips that will create a winning look in tonight's debate. Maybe, we are hoping they do, one of the candidates reads this article and actually follows our advise. We shall see tonight!

The Suit
The suit must remain dark charcoal gray. It should be plain, simple, and elegant. Because the suit is the largest visible clothing item it is not the piece Candidates want to experience with. Avoided should be visible patterns like pin stripes and checks. The suit should be 2 or 3 button style with a low to medium V-cut, which will add the illusion of height and stature. The fabric should fall in the Super120 to Super160 range. Anything above Super160 wool will look too shiny, creating a look that is too dressy, formal, and possibly even a look that can be perceived as "stuck-up". Finally the suit must be perfectly tailored. For more information please read our tutorial on: Proper Men's Suit Fitting

The Dress Shirt
Again, the look must be classic and conservative, making the solid white dress shirt the only acceptable choice. The shirt should be well pressed and wrinkle free. We suggest to keep the shirt as classic and simple as possible. We suggest regular barrel cuffs since French cuffed shirts (worn with cufflinks) might be perceived as too flashy.

The Tie
Thus far we have seen almost exclusively ruby red ties during the past debates. Why red? Well, red is a color that creates the highest level of emotional responses in the observer. It is a color that stands out and draws attention to it. It is quite obvious that each candidates intentionally picked the red tie to get more noticed than the person standing next to them. But if all candidates are wearing the same red tie it is difficult for the observer to keep them apart.

Therefore, we at Ties-Necktie suggest a different color and even a slightly more unique design than the solid color tie. For tonight's debate we are hoping to see more blue ties, striped ties, and ties with more visible patterns like polka dots and even paisleys. Especially blue ties should be used more. Blue is a very likeable color that is typically associated with calmness, tranquility, and serenity.

Also considered should be ties going a bit into the brown color. We are not suggesting solid brown ties but instead suggest ties in burnt orange as well as dark burgundy. Brown is a color that is associated with maturity, experience, and intelligence. Burgundy red ties are perfect since they combine the psychological emotions of brown with the excitement of red. The same is true for dark orange neckties.