D.C.'s own Mr. Blackwell

[name not needed]

A bit old, but interesting nonetheless.

Dare to not brush your hair? Or thinking about making a bold fashion statement on the Hill? Watch out for Speaker-elect John Boehner, who might want you to reconsider. Call him the Mr. Blackwell of the 112th Congress.

For years, the well-groomed Republican leader famous for his gray suits, bright ties and perpetual tan, has been known for his criticisms of others’ duds and tresses, not to mention footwear. And no one - not colleagues, staffers or reporters - seems safe from his sartorially conservative eye.

Earlier this month, Boehner channeled Tim Gunn and teased Utah Rep. Rob Bishop for sporting a three-piece suit. "I told Mr. Bishop on the way in that just because he inherited this suit from his grandfather didn't mean he had to wear it," Boehner said at a news conference. He conceded, however, that while Bishop lacked good judgment in the clothing department, "his hair looks good."

Boehner's disapproval of Bishop's throwback suit was tame compared with comments he made in 2009 about Fox News's Chad Pergram's black-on-black ensemble being "too metrosexual." Pergram described his outfit in a piece he penned after he became a Boehner fashion victim. "My getup: a black and white houndstooth jacket, a black shirt, a black tie and black pants. I finished everything off with a black pocket square," he wrote.

...

http://www.politico.com/click/stories/1012/d_c_s_own_mr_blackwell.html

Funny, the words "well dressed" never cross my mind when I think of John Boehner.

[rpannier]

1. Agreed

Well dressed isan't in my top 20

[phasma ex machina]

2. Boner's not the first.

INFLUENCE OF POLITICS AND RELIGION ON THE HAIR AND BEARD.

Early modes of wearing the hair and beard — Excommunication and outlawry de-
creed against curls — Louis YII.'s submission thereto the cause of the long wars
between England and France — Charles V. of Spain and his courtiers— Peter the
Great— His tax upon beards— Revival of beards and moustaches after the French
Revolution of 1880— The King of Bavaria (1838) orders all civilians wearing
moustaches to be arrested and shaved— Examples from Bayeux tapestry . 296-908 (link)