Obama's Dressed-Down Look: 'The Dorky Dad'? (SLIDESHOW)

Since he stepped into the national spotlight, Barack Obama has been celebrated as a style icon (Donatella Versace reportedly dedicated her Spring/Summer 2009 collection to him). But Michelle begs to differ. As she told "Access Hollywood" in July: "I think it's funny that he's involved in this fashion icon stuff because these pants," she points out, "he's had for probably ten years... and don't pan down to the shoes because we talked about getting new shoes." (Check out the holey shoes Obama wears.)

And the president-elect concurs: "I'm baffled by this whole thing myself because I hate to shop."

So it's no surprise that his casual wear could use a little improvement. Have a look and let us know if you have any suggestions.

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As Barack Obama gets more comfortable with his new gig, so do his clothes. Every so often the president departs from his standard suit-and-tie look, and dons faded jeans, white sneakers, an athletic jacket, and maybe a backwards hat or a bicycle helmet. Here he is wearing one of those looks on Sunday, May 24th as he returns from Camp David. Click through to vote on whether or not you love these looks.

Read more about Barack Obama's style.

-OR-

See a slideshow of Obama the doting dad here or more Obama slideshows here.

Comments

[homespirit]

I love Obama, but you have to admit he does look dorky in the jeans. I think that straight leg jeans just don't work for him or anyone and definitely not with tennis shoes--it is really 80's looking. If he insists on wearing them, they should be boot cut, a little longer, a little looser(regular fit) and he should wear with loafers or something other than athletic shoes.

All of the other clothes look fine on him and of course he looks great dressed up. I especially like him in the athletic clothes. He looks really youthful.

[biichama]

He dresses just like my dad.

[bicyclebonanza]

As a bicycle transportation professional and long-time advocate this is of course thrilling:

Very nice...and his reported approach to fashion is near and dear to my heart. Cuuuuute.

Although: there's a skeptic in me as I observe his rear tire needs air and his right cuff isn't rolled up despite a rather vicious-looking uncovered chain (and he's in the crosswalk headed for the curb). Is this for reals?

Worst of all, someone really needs to tell the next President how to use his gears. He's got that tiny-to-tiny alignment going on.

In any event, recent experiences hauling a five year old stunt bike ballerina to and from school elicit fondness to think our next president does same...but really it is a concern. Was this just staged?

Seems like all the politicians including Bush have done some photo ops on bikes to try to get the bike crowd...at least Obama is talking about restructuring the energy economy. Finally with someone with guts and brains not to sell us all out. Let's hold him to it.

[Clavis]

Dorks across America are thinking, "I wish *I* looked that good in khakis!"

[bessie1]

Looks like a jerk.

[Trilby]

He's really cute. I could go for him.

[Inthematrix]

He has that Seinfeld look on the bicycle. Kinda dorky if you ask me but I don't mind at all. The man is brilliant and will lead the country in right direction!
http://inthematrix.wordpress.com/2008/11/14/goodbye-dubya/

[doctorkay]

I think he needs some air in his tires...

[oldgoose]

Looks like a cool, confident man who obviously does not feel he has to spend $150,000 at Neiman Marcus to impress people with a public image which does not reflect his value system! If a designer wants to make money off his name let him! I see nothing wrong with any of the clothing he is wearing and if some of it is a little worn let that be a lesson to all those who run up the balance on their credit cards to do one up on the neighbor's clothing line. The image of a happy family is all our country needs!

[pathenry]

We've seen our fill of bike-shots from #43, but damned few of him just hanging out with his daughters, Barbara and Jenna.

How refreshing it is to see the very embodiment of family values, the joy, in the photos of our new President with Sasha and Melia! That's Change that we pray will come the the very heart of American life.

[SDBluefish]

Um - he needs to raise the seat on that bike. And pump up the rear tire!!

[MJinCanada]

But he's wearing a helmet! A good role model for everyone with a brain worth protecting.

[DrJohnnySkeptic]

Well, Bush wears a helmet when he rides, but it hasn't done him any good. He's still as brain damaged as ever.

[ky2009]

Personally, I think its a good look. Hes an attractive man. He looks very comfortable in what he has on and it shows that he is a real person. Just because he is now in office, does that mean he has to be in a tux at all times?

[SteveKnows]

ok not sure who is judging this but I don't think he looks like a real dork in any of these pics...I think he looks youthful but not too young, failry well dressed. and in great shape. The ony pic that even looks slightly dorky is the bike pic.. but i think that has to do with the helmet. Growing up I would have been estatic if my dad would have dressed like him.

[sammyscout]

He's Tyler Durden reborn, (wink)

[toni63]

I think a little visit to J.Crew would be a nice dress down look for him...
the dad jeans are a tad un-cool but if Michelle can work the J.Crew..I think it's a good modern look for him ,
J.Crew should be sending a huge care package right now if they were smart....

[INALdem]

Hey now...You're no dork when VERSACE names a clothing line for you...

[jackson1015]

Any shots you can give us of Obama in a suit wearing a hot pair of shades.....yow! Say what you will, this man is too gorgeous. Michelle, I'm jealous!!