The Governor’s New Clothes
Deval Patrick wants to be an icon of change. With a little coaching, he might also make history as our best-dressed politician since JFK.
Stripped-Down Deval
While his campaign opponents were being criticized for their “power polyester” and bad clip-on earrings, Governor-elect Deval Patrick impressed fashion editors and voters alike with his well-fitting suits and clean-cut mug. We enlisted a few of the city’s menswear experts to hand-select looks suitable for Patrick’s every highly publicized situation to come, from kissing babies at Mass General to donning a hardhat at construction kickoffs to visiting the White House for dinner.
9-to-5 Deval
“He shouldn’t look too modern—maybe a faint, subtle stripe for the suit, and a tie that’s not overly flamboyant,” says Newbury Street vet Alan Bilzerian. “In this, he can go in front of guys he’s trying to convince of a new policy. He’s not the new kid trying to prove he’s groovy.” Three-button suit, $1,725, shirt, $230, tie, $150, and silk pocket square, $85; Fasciani shoes, $660; all Alan Bilzerian, 34 Newbury St., Boston, 617-536-1001, alanbilzerian.com.
State Dinner Deval
“A clean look helps to elongate, while a nice close-to-the-body suit could emphasize how fit he is,” says Debi Greenberg of Louis Boston. “And you can always tell a guy’s pretty cool if he has cool shoes on—you’ll know he’s willing to put in time and effort. A beautiful black suede wingtip says ‘style’ without being too loud.” Belvest tuxedo, $3,595; Brioni shirt, $525; Carrot & Gibbs pocket square, $45, suspenders, $95, and tie, $95; Kiton shoes, $1,925; all Louis Boston, 234 Berkeley St., Boston, 617-262-6100, louisboston.com.
Casual-Friday Deval
“A heavy pinstripe reinforces he’s a classy guy with a twist,” says Riccardi owner Riccardo Dallai. “The light-colored blazer is a break from the usual—it’s formal but not too severe—while the pinstripe is very friendly.” Dolce & Gabbana blazer, $1,460, vest, $425, and pants, $425; Etro shirt, $225; DSquared2 shoes, $495; Prada belt, $245; all Riccardi, 116 Newbury St., Boston, 617-266-3158, riccardiboston.com.
Weekend Deval
“A modern Mr. Rogers outfit in complementary colors will steer Patrick away from the matchy-matchy trap,” says Uniform’s Gary Ritacco. “Since he’s a little vertically challenged, I’d recommend he avoid horizontal stripes and opt instead for cool patterns, while staying within a traditional frame that he’d still feel comfortable in.” Modern Amusement cardigan, $135; Ben Sherman shirt, $79; phBnyc pants, $98; Gola shoes, $91; all Uniform, 511 Tremont St., Boston, 617-247-2360, uniformboston.com.
While his campaign opponents were being criticized for their “power polyester” and bad clip-on earrings, Governor-elect Deval Patrick impressed fashion editors and voters alike with his well-fitting suits and clean-cut mug. We enlisted a few of the city’s menswear experts to hand-select looks suitable for Patrick’s every highly publicized situation to come, from kissing babies at Mass General to donning a hardhat at construction kickoffs to visiting the White House for dinner.
9-to-5 Deval
“He shouldn’t look too modern—maybe a faint, subtle stripe for the suit, and a tie that’s not overly flamboyant,” says Newbury Street vet Alan Bilzerian. “In this, he can go in front of guys he’s trying to convince of a new policy. He’s not the new kid trying to prove he’s groovy.” Three-button suit, $1,725, shirt, $230, tie, $150, and silk pocket square, $85; Fasciani shoes, $660; all Alan Bilzerian, 34 Newbury St., Boston, 617-536-1001, alanbilzerian.com.
State Dinner Deval
“A clean look helps to elongate, while a nice close-to-the-body suit could emphasize how fit he is,” says Debi Greenberg of Louis Boston. “And you can always tell a guy’s pretty cool if he has cool shoes on—you’ll know he’s willing to put in time and effort. A beautiful black suede wingtip says ‘style’ without being too loud.” Belvest tuxedo, $3,595; Brioni shirt, $525; Carrot & Gibbs pocket square, $45, suspenders, $95, and tie, $95; Kiton shoes, $1,925; all Louis Boston, 234 Berkeley St., Boston, 617-262-6100, louisboston.com.
Casual-Friday Deval
“A heavy pinstripe reinforces he’s a classy guy with a twist,” says Riccardi owner Riccardo Dallai. “The light-colored blazer is a break from the usual—it’s formal but not too severe—while the pinstripe is very friendly.” Dolce & Gabbana blazer, $1,460, vest, $425, and pants, $425; Etro shirt, $225; DSquared2 shoes, $495; Prada belt, $245; all Riccardi, 116 Newbury St., Boston, 617-266-3158, riccardiboston.com.
Weekend Deval
“A modern Mr. Rogers outfit in complementary colors will steer Patrick away from the matchy-matchy trap,” says Uniform’s Gary Ritacco. “Since he’s a little vertically challenged, I’d recommend he avoid horizontal stripes and opt instead for cool patterns, while staying within a traditional frame that he’d still feel comfortable in.” Modern Amusement cardigan, $135; Ben Sherman shirt, $79; phBnyc pants, $98; Gola shoes, $91; all Uniform, 511 Tremont St., Boston, 617-247-2360, uniformboston.com.
Originally published in Boston magazine, January 2007
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