Obama Relaxes Weekend Dress Code At White House

Much fuss was made over Obama's jacket removal on his first day in the Oval Office because he was breaking a rule of the Bush administration: wear a coat and tie at all times. (David Axelrod later explained it was because the president likes to crank up the thermostat.)

But the Bush dress code remained in place on weekends, whereas his successor has implemented an even more informal weekend style.

From The New York Times:

Over the weekend, Mr. Obama's first in office, his aides did not quite know how to dress. Some showed up in jeans (another no-no under Mr. Bush), some in coats and ties.

So the president issued an informal edict for "business casual" on weekends -- and set his own example. He showed up Saturday for a briefing with his chief economic adviser, Lawrence H. Summers, dressed in slacks and a gray sweater over a white buttoned-down shirt. Veterans of the Bush White House are shocked.

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Comments

[NoDoubt08]

What does the shedding of a suit jacket in the oval office have to do with the price of putty in Peru?
We all witnessed first hand 43's disregard for the constitution he swore to uphold in his executive overreach of power and disdain for freedom.
I'll take a 'jackets off and thinking caps on' approach to work anyday.

[RationalDubSteppa]

The only reason conservatives like to play dress up is because it makes them feel smarter than they actually are. Really intelligent people do not have to play make believe because they've got the real thing going for them.

[DMHendrix]

Why does it make any difference what anyone from the Bush administration thinks about how the Obama administration dresses? I have read and seen several reports on how they are so upset about this change...who the hell cares? Dressing in a suit doesn't make you smarter...that, along with a lot of other things, should be obvious.

[babyboomerorig]

Maybe Bush thought that his policies would be out-shown by the formal attire in the Oval Office. His people say Obama's being disrespectful, but I don't understand where that comes from when Bush would refer publically to other leaders by their first name...THAT'S disrespectful.

[DenveRockwell]

Yes, and making up nicknames for other world leaders is COMPLETELY out of line.

Pootie? Are you serious?

[RationalDubSteppa]

Well Conservatives in America are actually that gullible where if they see some one in a suit they automatically believe that person to be smart. It's why they get taken time after time after time by the GOP who in 25 years have done zip for the population in general.

[Karma7]

I'm okay with everything - except jeans

[RationalDubSteppa]

Your joking right?

[grf67]

Why would the bush administration have a weekend dress code? Was bush ever there on a weekend? Did anybody in the bush administration work on weekends? Wasn't everybody in Crawford or Camp David?

[doug108]

The wingers have no idea what to do with a charismatic Democratic president who is also the coolest MF to take the Oval Office ever.

Also, you should check out Harry Shearer from January 25. He does a bit about Limbaugh's 'I hope Obama fails' comment. The Podcast is free. The bit comes about 23 minutes into the Podcast. Very funny.

[TruthMatters09]

Boy, next he'lll be bringing out his ghutrah and igal.

[doublels]

Bush vets...get over it. You have a President who chooses substance over a formal style.

[Leota2]

This is stupid. Who the hell cares what anyone wears if they are trying to
fix the mess the idiotic suited Bush administration has gotten us into.
Maybe if the previous POTUS had worn some competence instead of a suit
coat --we'd not be so effed.

[XME]

The great thing about being president is you decide the dress code...otherwise, all presidents after Washington would be expected to follow his dress code, NOT Bush's.

[Martampa]

Why is time wasted by the press writing about this nonsense. I would rather a man or woman who wears jeans and t-shirt and does the country some good. There is nothing good that can be said about the suit and tie wearing Dubya except good riddance.

[thelipstickfemme]

Ok, stop comparing him to Bush.

I don't care what the man and his staff wear. It is clear that they are getting things done. Clothes don't stop one from getting their job done, (well unless they are attempting to walk in spiked high heels in knee deep snow he he he). Ok, seriously, let is alone...it is a new day, and the folks voted for Change! This is change, so stop complaining you silly media folks.

[doublels]

You're absolutely right because there absolutely is no comparison between Obama & Bush...none, zip, nada. Who cares what the Emperor in a Suit wore?

[frogbreath]

The President refects the norms and manners of his people. Dressing casually on weekends is pretty common in the US, but I can see if you are going to church or a public place you might want to dress better.

[popizzy]

I think the President's rules are fair, but the problem I have is that these people (media folks) keep comparing him and his White House/Oval Office policies to Bush's policies. But who cares??? Bush is gone, his era is over, its a new day so please STOP COMPARING THE PRESIDENT TO BUSH.

[waitforme]

It isn't that we don't care because Bush is gone; we don't care about the comparison because everything Bush stood for was worse than awful. His insistence on dressing up is not only irrelevant but ludicrous as a model.

Certainly someone who is working alone or with staff should dress the way he wants to; when meeting heads of state or other fancy visitors, well, then, put on your jacket and tighten your tie, I suppose; I don't know; I've never been a man. What do the women there wear? Do they always have to wear high heels to walk back and forth along those long corridors? I do hope not. Shouldn't everyone be able to wear jeans on weekends? Why are they there on weekends?

[afgail]

Why stop? Bush was all about spin and lies so he had to keep up the outward appearance of rectitude. Bush was the epitome of the empty suit. Obama is all about substance.

[walk0nwalls]

Welcome to the 21st old people, it's good to be here.