Granger’s style

It’s been just over a month since the new government has been in power and boy oh boy was I dying to see the wardrobe of the new President! So far, it has elicited split opinions from the public, with some saying he needs to dress more “important looking” meaning suit and tie and some taking a liking to his simple black pants and shirt and capping him as a “more accessible president.” I gave him just about a month on the political runway before I decided to assess his style and share what I believe it implies. Before I dive into my opinion let’s take a look at his style diary before he became President Granger.

20150620presi grangerGranger’s campaigning style diary

Granger is naturally a very utilitarian person when it comes to clothes. He usually wings it in a buttoned-down long-sleeved shirt in white or black or a short-sleeved Polo in a solid green, both with barely any detailing on them. The cuts are standard and not too fashion forward and it’s unlikely that you would catch him in a slim-fit shirt.

He also doesn’t incorporate complex fabrics or a barrage of colours; you know he’s not spending his morning colour blocking. It suggests he is a focused and orderly person. A programmed way of dressing tends to disperse the idea, that you know who you are and you aren’t jumping from ship to ship to stay relevant. Of course, on the campaign trail, Granger wore mostly green. His choice of colour (green) showed patriotism and channelled national identity, which is basically a common trend for most politicians. Everyone was about the colours on the national flag, which I find brilliant. But I questioned the authenticity of his style, as I would with any other politician. Will this man’s style change? Is his style just for show? My only way to form some sort of judgment of it was to wait and see if this was his actual style.

It was and it is.

Granger as President

Granger’s look now is black trousers and black buttoned-down, long-sleeved shirt. Apart from the colour change there is no drastic change to style which could easily symbolize the sincerity his image evoked prior to winning the elections. There is no elaboration or extra frills. The use of total black for me also signifies a lot. My mind flicked to the creative industries. Most artists use black as a uniform to focus on a project to remind themselves that although they have this creative influence it’s still a job at the end of the day. Have a look at popular artists and designers like Peter Minshall and Meiling in the Caribbean; even Alexander Wang and Oliver Rousting in North America and Europe – they all wear black. Granger’s use of black says that even though he is the leader, which can often be seen as superior, he is still working for the people. He dresses for a job and not necessarily to portray an image. I think the simple use of black as his uniform in Guyana is more than appropriate. I even think it’s an excellent branding strategy for him as a President.

I also think that given the state of our economy and how divided our society has become, Granger’s clothing is not only appropriate but ethical for the times we are in. He needs to come across as accessible and as a President of and for the people as much as possible. Guyana is a poor country and while a few may think his wardrobe inappropriate, more than likely they are out of touch with reality.

Of course, I too believe that on official foreign visits for the State he must suit it up. But I think for the most part he needs to come across as approachable. Jackets and sunglasses push people away and are tools for fashion intimidation. I get that many may want to see him dressing like Obama. For some strange reason we in Guyana often forget where we actually are. We live in a hot country, wearing a jacket 24/7, well it just won’t be cool. I guess the biggest reason why I vote yes for his simple, relaxed look is because the image of government for me was very pompous. Everyone in a fancy jacket and totally out of touch with citizens whose monthly earnings are the cost equivalent of the jacket or probably the thread used to make it.

My view? Once his clothes are neatly presented I see no reason why the President shouldn’t be wearing his shirt and pants as opposed to a suit, after all he is on his day job which just happens to be running a hot country.

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