The Modern Warlord
Published in Süddeutsche Zeitung
(Germany) on 29 March 2010
by C. Mayer (link to original)
To each American president, his own warlord outfit. Where George W. Bush liked dressing up as a fighter pilot, Barack Obama chooses the bomber jacket — and looks like a catalog model in it.
In western nations, it’s never really out of style for politicians to show their support for the military by the clothes they choose. German troops in Afghanistan were pleased when Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg traded his designer suit for a slightly less streamlined army field jacket, much to the horror of some in Berlin fashion circles.
Good thing Barack Obama has the stature to dare all sorts of fashion adventures. When he visited troops at the Bagram airbase in Afghanistan, the Commander-in-Chief chose an Air Force One bomber jacket — obviously a new creation, since the brown leather was still shiny and wrinkle-free.
In this ensemble, Obama came off looking like a catalog model. American commentators were completely beside themselves: Didn’t Dwight D. Eisenhower wear the same thing? Will Obama the civilian now become Obama the hardened warrior? Will the military look make a big comeback?
He was at least popular with the 2,500 U.S. troops who turned out to welcome him, so the PR strategists in the White House can now rest easily. The choice of the bomber jacket bearing the president’s embroidered name was a wise one since it didn’t seem pompous — George W. Bush preferred dressing for up for such events as a Tom Cruise wannabe in full combat pilot regalia.
But Obama’s not such a daredevil; the modern warlord wore his military jacket looking casual and relaxed. And by the way: You can order this Air Force classic for yourself right now on the internet for the low, low price of just $500.
In western nations, it’s never really out of style for politicians to show their support for the military by the clothes they choose. German troops in Afghanistan were pleased when Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg traded his designer suit for a slightly less streamlined army field jacket, much to the horror of some in Berlin fashion circles.
Good thing Barack Obama has the stature to dare all sorts of fashion adventures. When he visited troops at the Bagram airbase in Afghanistan, the Commander-in-Chief chose an Air Force One bomber jacket — obviously a new creation, since the brown leather was still shiny and wrinkle-free.
In this ensemble, Obama came off looking like a catalog model. American commentators were completely beside themselves: Didn’t Dwight D. Eisenhower wear the same thing? Will Obama the civilian now become Obama the hardened warrior? Will the military look make a big comeback?
He was at least popular with the 2,500 U.S. troops who turned out to welcome him, so the PR strategists in the White House can now rest easily. The choice of the bomber jacket bearing the president’s embroidered name was a wise one since it didn’t seem pompous — George W. Bush preferred dressing for up for such events as a Tom Cruise wannabe in full combat pilot regalia.
But Obama’s not such a daredevil; the modern warlord wore his military jacket looking casual and relaxed. And by the way: You can order this Air Force classic for yourself right now on the internet for the low, low price of just $500.
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