FASHION WATCH AT THE WHITE HOUSE

Makeover for Donald Trump?

Critics have panned the United States President-elect for his frumpy appearance

US Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump applauding supporters after his campaign speech at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colorado, on Oct 3, 2016. PHOTO: AFP

Does the new United States President-elect look presidential enough?

Mr Donald Trump, who won the US presidential election last week, had insisted during his campaign that he was the most "presidential- looking" of all the contenders.

Whatever he meant by that, it looks like, in the sartorial and style departments at least, he might need some help.

Making his first official visit to the White House last Thursday, he looked as if he had just walked in from a campaign rally, dressed in his usual garb of a dark suit, white shirt, red tie and an American flag lapel pin.

That liking for a dark suit and a red tie has not changed in more than 30 years.

His frumpiness has also been noted in the press, with at least one writer linking the divisive Republican's ill-fitting, though expensive, Italian Brioni suits to him being a bad fit for his country. (He also wears suits by Martin Greenfield Clothiers, which has hand-tailored suits for US President Barack Obama.)

Among other criticisms: Mr Trump's jackets and ties are too long, his trousers too broad, his tie knot too small, he has too much shoulder padding and he does not button up when he stands.

In short, the 1.85m-tall billionaire ends up looking short and broad.

As for the red tie, it has to go too as it is too "last century", Ty Henschke, head designer at Australian menswear brand Calibre, told the Sydney Morning Herald.

But first, the hair.

A change may be in the offing, with him reported to have said in June that he would be too busy if elected as president to spend time coiffing his much-discussed, carroty combover into shape. He said at an event in Iowa that he would just have to comb his hair back.

He appears to have taken steps towards some modification. Recently, he has appeared with hair that is shorter in front and at the back, and in a blonder hue.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on November 14, 2016, with the headline Makeover for Donald Trump?. Subscribe