< The Class of the Classy | Main | Will We Ever See His Like Again? >

The Best- and Worst-Dressed Leaders in the World, Continued: Part One

The new November issue of GQ features a roundup of world leaders' fashion sense. But it's a big world out there, and the magazine couldn't accommodate all the leaders of interest. We were able to only accommodate about a Gulfstream-5-full in print. But here on the Internet, that treeless frontier that's virtually as boundless as space, we could keep going until we got tired. So here's a look, in three installments, at fourteen more heads of state. Just because they didn't make our first cut doesn't mean they can't start World War III.

*****

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran

Glenn_1

The feisty former school teacher is the first casual-Friday head of state, and he's serious about it: no neckties in his entourage. Otherwise he seems to not care about clothes. His tend to be baggy and often unseasonably pastel. Very mix and mismatch. There's a Kucinich-y innocence to his style, but I can't help wanting to dress him in Thom Browne. Neatness counts, even in a theocracy.

*****

Gordon Brown, U.K.

Glenn_2

After the buttoned-up, almost mod Tony Blair he's a bit of a mess, but he's his own mess. His rumple reminds me of Jimmy Breslin's—tie's always a bit off, he forgets his stays, visible T-shirt. It probably helps; his obvious imperfection gives the impression of honesty. But I wouldn't bet the farm on it.

Glenn_3

*****

Hamid Karzai, Afghanistan

Glenn_4

He's no puppet, but he is a bit of a mannequin. He has superb personal style and he pulls off the East/West fusion better than anyone. He has great color sense and a strong feel for tonality. I wonder if the robe is bulletproof.

*****

José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Spain

5

The Spanish president shows just how easy it is to dress well. It's all about keeping it simple. He wears classic suits, usually wears white shirts, and has subtle taste in ties. His shoes are elegantly trim, worthy of a banker.

6

He doesn't do casual, but knows when to take off the tie and when to give it a nice big knot.

7

He could be the best-dressed elected head of state. Nothing flashy, no gimmicks, just good tailoring and consistent, quiet good taste. That's so Spanish. Europe's best kept secret.

*****

Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus

8

Basically, he looks and dresses like Hal Linden on Barney Miller. Not much to satellite-phone home about. But his military look is really over the top. I'm sure his absurdly huge service cap was inspired by Mel Brooks's Space Balls.

26

Don't miss: Part Two and Part Three in Glenn's series

Got a question for the Style Guy? Click here to ask it.

Comments

For the next worst dressed list stephen harper should be included because he sucks at dressing.

click to post a comment >
join now: post a comment close reglite module
To post a comment, simply fill in the fields below and click "submit comment." To get full access to Men.Style.com's special features & community, join now >
JOIN NOW:POST A COMMENT
All fields required.








Please send occasional e-mail updates about new features and special offers from Men.Style.com
Yes   No


I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its User Agreement and Privacy Policy

submit
sign in: post a comment close sign in and comment module
To post a comment, simply enter your comment with username and password and click "Submit Comment." Not a member? join now >
  • Comment is required.

  • We're sorry, but we could not accept your request. Please try resubmitting your information.
    SIGN IN: POST A COMMENT
    remember me next time

    submit
    not a member click to join now
    already a member click to sign in now
    click here to close
    SUBMIT