A suitable second: Casuals get a dressing down in starchy Washington

TOI Correspondent from Washington: Starchy Washington DC, the place lawmakers and officers put on formal darkish fits in sweltering 40 diploma celsius in summer time, is getting sizzling underneath the collar over cool and informal. Following the White House whiplash over Volodymyr Zelenskyy not sporting a swimsuit for his Oval Office assembly with President Trump, consideration is now turning to different Washington worthies, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy amongst them, who’re apparently violating the Capital’s unwritten protocol of many a long time.
An interview in which Vivek Ramaswamy — who final week introduced he’s working for Governor of Ohio — is suited however not booted, has triggered withering putdowns from purveyors of protocol. Several critics castigated his barefoot look as “uncivilized” and “anti-American,” arguing it confirmed a lack of decorum for somebody in search of excessive workplace.
In the interview, which was performed a number of weeks in the past, Ramaswamy is sporting a swimsuit, however is with out footwear, which is outwardly the norm inside his home (the place the interview was performed), as it’s in many Indian houses the place sporting footwear indoors in thought of unclean and unhygienic. The feminine interview too had no footwear however stored her socks on.
Criticism of Ramaswamy’s barefoot look ranged from “This is unacceptable for America,” to “Maybe at least have some socks on while you interview for a position in the most powerful empire on the planet” to “think about the odor!”
Ramaswamy had his supporters, primarily folks of Asian origin, who identified that being barefoot indoors is a widespread apply in many cultures, and is rooted in hygiene and respect.
Ramaswamy himself dismissed detractors, asserting, “This is America, folks. I let the dogs out in my house when I feel like it,” (Dogs is sometimes used as a slang for feet) in what could well have been a self-deprecatory swipe at the free run dogs have in most US homes.
Meanwhile, DOGE boss Elon Musk is also starting to face flak for his casual attire, particularly after he attended a cabinet meeting in the White House last week wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with “Tech Support” in giant letters and a black “Make America Great Again” baseball cap, in sharp distinction to the usual fits and ties of different attendees. “With all the money he has you would think he had something more decent to wear,” mentioned one detractor, whereas Musk supporters argued that his apparel match in with ethos of Silicon Valley and techdom, the place fits and ties have been disbursed with.
But Musk, Ramaswamy, and Zelenskyy don’t have anything on John Fetterman, US Senator from Pennsylvania, who has rocked (and revolted) many by regularly sporting shorts, typically paired with hoodies or informal shirts, together with to President Trump’s inauguration in subzero temperature and on the ground of the Senate. In interviews, Fetterman has cited private consolation and sensible consideration for his apparel. At 6 ft 8 inches top and weighing round 270 kilos, he says he has issue discovering fits off the rack that match his giant body. President Trump, who’s 6’3″ typically wears custom-made suits from the Italian luxury brand Brioni which cost between $ 6000 and $ 10000.
Health factors have appears to have played a role in Fetterman’s choice of togs. After a stroke in May 2022 and treatment for clinical depression treated in early 2023, Fetterman returned to the Senate wearing casual clothes more consistently. He has also suggested it is an extension of his working man image, telling one interviewer, “Aren’t there more important things we should be talking about rather than if I dress like a slob?”
While many world leaders comfortably wear their national dress — including India’s leaders who typically wear bandgalas and jackets without the necktie — the military style attire Zelenskyy has adopted as a wartime leader clearly triggered Washington in what was an obvious set-up. “He’s all dressed up right this moment!” Trump gibed as he greeted Zelenskyy when he arrived at the White House. Between the dressing down Trump and Vance game him, it was cue for a MAGA-affiliated reporter to ask Zelenskyy if he owned a suit and why he wasn’t wearing one.
“I’ll put on a costume after this conflict is completed,” he replied.