scurvyfreedman
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Ralph Lauren fandom aside, I'm interested in your take on this @dieworkwear from a historical perspective: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/17/joe-biden-ralph-lauren-inauguration-suit
I thought, typically, that presidents try and wear MiUSA stuff for official business functions. I seem to recall that Martin Greenfield or BB was often cited as the tailor to presidents and that AE Park Aves were the 'presidential' shoe. Obviously that seems to have been tossed aside with Trump and his penchant for Brioni suits (I'm willing to bet he owned a good number of them already before assuming office). I also seem to remember Tom Ford talking about how he would have loved to dress Obama or Buttigieg, but that he thought it would be inappropriate for a politican to wear a $5K suit
Are we likely talking RLPL (St Andrews) here? Does RL make any suits in the USA? With the downfall of BB and MiUSA tailoring, do you think these sort of traditions are going to go by the wayside?
Bonus Q - how does the presidential wardrobe work, do they get free suits that they charge to tax payers?
On your Bonus Q. 3 U.S.C. § 102 provides an "expense allowance of $50,000 to assist in defraying expenses relating to or resulting from the discharge of his official duties." I suspect that like suits not falling under the IRS Code for tax deductions - unlike uniforms - the same would apply to the expense allowance. But, white tie might apply for state dinners if it's not something already owned, because that would be part of discharge of official duties and it's not something worn in the normal course of events. A bullet proof suit would seem to fall under the expense account.