6 October 2016

Imagine all of our politicians naked ...

| Kim Huynh
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I invoke this frightful image in order to rethink the role of clothes in politics and how we might all dress a little better.

Politicians, like most public figures, are highly concerned with their appearance.

Sometimes they select clothes that attract minimal attention. For instance, the dark suit is the default option for men seeking to project an air of seriousness and professionalism without necessarily standing out. After Ita Buttrose criticised his uninspiring outfits, Tony Abbott defended his suit, white shirt and blue tie as “my work uniform”.

In the ACT election, I can’t help but associate the clothing of candidates and their followers to groups in The Lord of the Rings. Liberals dress sleek and clean like elves; Labor people favour the rough and rustic apparel of dwarves; while Greens attire is 100% hobbit.

Different clothes are often donned to grab attention and send a message. Politicians don hard hats and high-vis vests, national sports team tracksuits, hair nets and aprons, moleskins and boots, in order to be seen as one of the people. It’s also important for national leaders to wear flak jacket at some stage so that the populace gets a sense that their leaders are keeping them safe.

This parade of pretence can foment cynicism and distrust. Politicians and their minders in turn believe that the punters will only ever be able to engage with what’s on the surface.

Watching last week’s Fashfest I wondered whether our leaders could dress and act with more authenticity and flair. And can we pay attention to what they wear without being superficial? How might our attitudes to attire express and advance our deeper selves?

The first step is to recognise how, intentionally or otherwise, clothes shape our bodies and determine how others see us. There’s no clear division between aesthetics and essence, between what we wear and who we are. The stilettos that project power and sexual prowess also cripple anyone who wears them for too long. Stiff collars and tight ties constrain the neck, straighten the back and box in the soul. Clothes affect our deepest emotions by harbouring memories, preserving heritage, conveying courage or projecting good fortune (consider all sorts of wedding garments).

The second step is to dress to express our distinctive selves. The effect should be similar to the liberation that’s achieved by many through nakedness. It’s about laying everything out there. Shirts can better than skins to this end because through clothes we can not only express who we are but also who we aspire to be.

So here’s another thought experiment. Imagine if politicians ditched the advice of their minders and came to work wearing what was really meaningful to them.

Think of Premier Don Dunstan in his pink short shorts on the steps of Parliament in 1972. Fellow South Australian Amanda Vanstone was known for her vibrant blouses and persona. Natasha Stott Despoja casually wore her boots to the Senate in her first term and was thereafter known as the Doc Marten Democrat. And Bob Katter doesn’t go anywhere without his Akubra.

Amanda Vanstone

Picture then Malcolm Turnbull actually sporting a top hat and tails to question time. Julie Bishop would alternate between Asics running shoes and Louboutin heels, always with a power brooch on her lapel.

Bill Shorten’s insistent unpopularity as preferred leader in the polls is explained in part by his inability to project a distinctive style or look. He might start with some nice jeans and a Coogi sweater.

Andrew Barr couldn’t pull off Ermenegildo Zegna suits à la Paul Keating, but could probably make do with something from Charles Tyrwhitt. And Jeremy Hanson would look dapper in an argyle-patterned vest and matching socks.

At the very least such a scenario would give us a better sense of who are leaders are. More freedom when it comes to fashion might even loosen party discipline and provide politicians with the comfort and confidence to make the place a little snazzier.

What’s your iconic piece of clothing or outfit? What do you see our politicians wearing if given the chance (be nice please)?

Kim Huynh is a RiotACT columnist and is also running as an independent for Ginninderra in the ACT election. He’s wearing a much loved tracksuit top that he got just before going to Expo88. It shows very slight pilling around the sleeves. Check him out on Facebook at gokimbo or GoKimbo.com.au

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pink little birdie said :

Obliviously this came from a male. Women politicians are already judged quite a lot on what they are wearing.
Women in politics (or any power position) wear a few acceptable brands of power suits because being judged on what they are wearing rather than the policies and the work that they do.
This is really a terrible article from someone who wants to be one of our elected representative.

Good point about the gender aspect PLB. I’ll see if I can do something on that in future (feel free to beat me to it). I’ll also see if I can be a better politician than I am an article writer. K

Charlotte Harper said :

@MERC600 Shirts definitely staying on! I would prefer to see all avatars featuring head and shoulders only, in any case. The RiotACT should be about the conversations, the ideas, the debates, not what contributors and commenters look like. In keeping with that philosophy, and with our policy re staying on topic, I’m not going to publish any further comments talking about what contributors are wearing or not wearing in their profile photos.

Thanks CH. Much appreciated. KH.

pink little birdie8:58 pm 09 Oct 16

A Nonny Mouse said :

Yes, mildly amusing, but this guy is a candidate for election. Lots of activity for name recognition but what do we really know about how he would vote on something important? Who would he support in a hung assembly?

I agree.

pink little birdie7:32 pm 09 Oct 16

Obliviously this came from a male. Women politicians are already judged quite a lot on what they are wearing.
Women in politics (or any power position) wear a few acceptable brands of power suits because being judged on what they are wearing rather than the policies and the work that they do.
This is really a terrible article from someone who wants to be one of our elected representative.

No thank you Kim. The odd photo of contributors (male) in various state of ‘brevity’ is enuff. No Lady contrbutors yet. Unless they are waiting for a lead . …. Charlotte ?

Charlotte Harper6:41 pm 09 Oct 16

@MERC600 Shirts definitely staying on! I would prefer to see all avatars featuring head and shoulders only, in any case. The RiotACT should be about the conversations, the ideas, the debates, not what contributors and commenters look like. In keeping with that philosophy, and with our policy re staying on topic, I’m not going to publish any further comments talking about what contributors are wearing or not wearing in their profile photos.

wildturkeycanoe said :

dungfungus said :

Larry Pickering used to do an annual calendar of contemporary politicians in their birthday suits.

It was the epitome of imagination.

Perhaps our politicians can raise funds for the light rail project by making a raunchy calendar of them appearing in fire fighting gear, washing a brand new Urbos. We’ll need all the help we can get to pay for it.

“…….appearing in fire fighting gear…….”

Are you channelling The Village People? (No not the local real-state developers).

A Nonny Mouse8:15 pm 08 Oct 16

Yes, mildly amusing, but this guy is a candidate for election. Lots of activity for name recognition but what do we really know about how he would vote on something important? Who would he support in a hung assembly?

wildturkeycanoe11:18 am 07 Oct 16

dungfungus said :

Larry Pickering used to do an annual calendar of contemporary politicians in their birthday suits.

It was the epitome of imagination.

Perhaps our politicians can raise funds for the light rail project by making a raunchy calendar of them appearing in fire fighting gear, washing a brand new Urbos. We’ll need all the help we can get to pay for it.

Larry Pickering used to do an annual calendar of contemporary politicians in their birthday suits.

It was the epitome of imagination.

wildturkeycanoe said :

Have you forgotten the lycra suit of Tony Abbot? Also, his budgie smugglers? That is an image that I will never forget unfortunately, it is burned into my eyeballs.
Aside from the mildly humorous aspect of this story, what has it really got to do with the important issues of the election like how any party taking power is going to balance the budget with the billions of dollars worth of promises?

Regarding Tony Abbott, I remember more the images of him in his volunteer bushfire fighting clothing.

Yes, I know, that doesn’t fit the narrative does it.

devils_advocate9:21 am 07 Oct 16

Turnbull mightn’t turn up in coat and tails, but he did grace the cover of GQ magazine, surely that’s gotta be close enough.
Men’s “suits” (including accessories, shoes, watch, cuffs etc) are a way of projecting status. Those who care to look can tell a lot about a man’s position in life by the cut of his suit.

wildturkeycanoe said :

Have you forgotten the lycra suit of Tony Abbot? Also, his budgie smugglers? That is an image that I will never forget unfortunately, it is burned into my eyeballs.
Aside from the mildly humorous aspect of this story, what has it really got to do with the important issues of the election like how any party taking power is going to balance the budget with the billions of dollars worth of promises?

I’ve been trying to forget that image too. Life extends beyond the election WTC, something I have always tried to remember. K

wildturkeycanoe6:21 am 07 Oct 16

Have you forgotten the lycra suit of Tony Abbot? Also, his budgie smugglers? That is an image that I will never forget unfortunately, it is burned into my eyeballs.
Aside from the mildly humorous aspect of this story, what has it really got to do with the important issues of the election like how any party taking power is going to balance the budget with the billions of dollars worth of promises?

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