Sometimes looking effortless comes from an actual lack of effort, and in that spirit we're introducing "Accidental Icons," a celebration of men whose sartorial choices are inspired, inimitable, and completely unintentional. First up: NBC political guru (and dry-erase board enthusiast) Tim Russert.

Like basketball fans staying up for a Lakers playoff game, East Coast political junkies will probably put in a late night waiting for West Coast primary results tonight. And the man who will make doing so a pleasure? Russert. Not only is he the brightest commentator in the game—sorry, Halperin—he easily outstyles his square-jawed, blow-dried rivals. Credit a look that embodies that election-year buzzword, authenticity. From his messy hair to those diagonally striped ties slightly askew, everything about his clothes suggests a man too hurried to show exactly one half inch of cuff. Sloppy? A little. But it's also a subtle reminder that Big Russ has some important shit going on.