Obama To Buy First Tuxedo In 15 Years For Inauguration (PHOTOS)

It's been 15 years since President-elect Barack Obama has bought a new tux -- and his inauguration is the perfect time to break that string. Obama, who during the campaign touted U.S. competitiveness and decried the plight of the American worker, plans to wear a union-made tuxedo by Hart Schaffner Marx to the inaugural balls on Jan. 20, said Bruce Raynor, general president of UNITE HERE, the main apparel union, which endorsed Obama early in the primary season.

Keep reading.

• • • • • • With former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick at the NAACP's 50th Annual Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner in Detroit on May 1, 2005.

Read more about Barack Obama's style.

Comments

[rdiaz921]

It's already been said but my first thought:

Get rid of Kwame. Detroit already has.

[jeniferdaniels]

HuffPo...please take the pic with Kwame down! No more fuel to the fire about criminals okay!

[4wehttam]

Can someone please explain to me the difference between a tux and the suits he wears everyday? I honestly don't know.

[iknowdou]

A traditional, basic tuxedo is a jacket is asymmetrically cut at the bottom whereas your average suit jacket is straight across at the bottom. As one can see from the illustrations, there are variations on the theme using fabric, labels and color as well as the cut, to distinguish the two differing jackets.

The shirt, traditionally, has pleats on the front. The collar is unique, coming over the bow tie in sharp, creased, points on both sides.

The pants are more hard to distinguish from a regular suit pant. I believe the fabric and the waist are more formal, but I could be wrong. Cummerbunds, those fabric, wide pleated belts, as optional.

Men's wear is similar to women's. What a woman wears to the office can be similar to what she wears in the evening. The difference is generally, fabric and small details which makes one look more formal, or more special over the other. A woman may add a beautifully made scarf and some jewelry to make an outfit fancier. Likewise, a man could wear a shirt of an unusual color, but with a traditional cut, and then he could add fancy french cuff links to make the shirt appear both modern (color) and formal (cut and cuff links), dressed up version. The variations are, like with a dress, too many to list.

Actually, I'm not sure myself, but I think this is accurate.

[Chibikim]

I dont care if he wears a birthday suit....(Which I REALLY would not mind) the man will still look good. He's tall, lean and sexy. Oh and on December 9th look for Ebony magazine! He's on the front! Dont forget Essence also. Two different covers! Add that to your pin up collection ladies. I know I will.

[Cybernautrix]

Where is Q u e e r Eye for the Straight Guy when you need 'em!

[functor]

Hello my friend Cybernautrix!

Have you solved that million dollar mystery?....I mean why majority of your "community" is overwhelmingly.........., well, You know what 'am saying...lol

I got some answer if you want to listen patiently.

[SPQR1052]

Our President-elect will look absolutely stunning in a new tux. Bank on it.

[hortonhearsawho]

I'm wearing a tux that night also...commerating my President, well, ours okay.

[GiannaX]

He is a gorgeous man, inside and out.

[daisydukes]

Obama is going to look fine..... really fwhine in that ux. It is by time that O gets himself a few tuxes. He will be attending many an occassions home and abroad. We do not want our prez to look well worn and cheap. He needs to throw in a few pairs of shoes as well. Michelle has good taste both in her own and her girls' clothing. It should be just fine if she dons a desinger dud for her inauguration ball, she deserves and earned it. Whomever designed that Election night dress needs to be sidestepped...really bad choice but there are lessions to learn. I saw some awesome dresses some designers have in mind for her that were posted on Huffpost last week. Can't wait to see them both all decked out.

[Seattlelite]

Obama spring for some new shoes while your at it. We appreciate your frugal-ness but this is a special occasion go for it :)

[NotMcCain]

I love how they LIVE such middle class values.

Michelle looks gorgeous at Oprah's ball. I hope she has that designer (or friend) advising her for the inaugural--not whoever was involved with the red-black dress.

Obama in a tux....how handsome can handsome be?

[ChangeNeeder]

I have heard discussions on how frugal the man has been with shoes and clothes in the past.

I really dont' have a problem with him buying a Union USA made tux. He is representing a turnpoint in our nation. I really want him to look good and feel good about what he is wearing.

And it's still way cheaper than what Cindy and Sarah were wearing at times.

----
On another note, a survery was done among women about whether they preferred seeing a man in a birthday suit, or a business suit. Business suits and Tuxs won hands down.

[doctorwang]

Maybe they are wearing the wrong birthday suit? Mine has broad yellow and orange stripes with BIRTHDAY BOY emblazoned across the front. It also has 8 inch gold platform shoes and a huge cone shaped hat with glitter on it. It never fails to get looks from the ladies. Too bad my birthday only comes once a year..........

[canucklivinginUSA]

LOL

[TivoliEclipse]

Union made? The quality of that Tux will be as poor as a made in America vehicle.

[conniec]

You prefer your clothing come from off-shore sweatshops, made by children?

[lenzorizzo]

Give me an Italian tailor anytime.

[Indie2008]

"Country First" , anyone?

[JessWonderin]

You no doubt appreciate 40 hour work weeks, paid vacations, health care, safety laws, and maybe "overtime"??? . . . thank a "union"

still pi$$ed that Palin failed EVEN with a $200,000 wardrobe . . . . ?

[TivoliEclipse]

But quality and work ethic is lacking in spite of and perhaps because of Unions who take care of themselves and Union members, but American made products are essentially poor which is why the US Auto Industry will go the way of the dodo. It's over baby!

[wearyvoter]

Don't forget, inaugural balls provide work for caterers, cooks, florists, waitstaff, pastry chefs, maintenance workers.

[wendynyc]

He is setting a wonderful example for all of us - we need to support American workers and fire their bosses that are not able to design or bring quality products to market - sigh... I"m talking about our auto industry.