Alan Au

Alan Au

Posted: August 15, 2008 06:51 AM

Is 5'7" John McCain Dressing For Defeat? (PICTURES)

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There has not been a President in The White House who has stood shorter than 5'8" since President McKinley took office in 1897. At 5'7" John McCain is up against more than just 6'3" Barack Obama, he's up against an American population that has consistently demanded that their guy be the bigger guy.

Does McCain seem to care that 10 of the last 15 elections were taken by a taller candidate? His dress sense indicates not. Instead of styling himself in a way that compliments his height, McCain repeatedly dresses for defeat, sporting styles and outfits that accentuate his short stature.

Had he been campaigning in the era before the ubiquity of television he might have better luck. 11 of our first 25 Presidents were under 5'8", whereas zero of the remaining 17 have stood shorter than 5'9". While the camera may be reputed to add 10lbs, McCain and his style team seems to be banking on the fact that it will also add several inches.

With his oversized suits, grandfatherly sweaters and shirts that swim around his sleeves McCain's sartorial blunders are often magnified by his impeccably styled wife Cindy, who does dress like she belongs in The White House. Look at any un-posed long shot of McCain and his entourage. Can you find him? No. Try looking for Cindy first, then for him in proximity.

In a world dominated by visual images, McCain has the fortunate opportunity to have what every shorter actor wants on camera... a female costar that can make him look taller. McCain can look at least 5'9" standing next to his lovely wife, if dressed in the right wardrobe. However, all too often it just looks like he's trying to ride her coattails into the White House.

With all that said, it's easy to criticize generalities, so below I have provided a spotters guide to McCain's fashion faux pas. Enjoy.

2008-08-14-1.jpg
Most of his shirts fit like this--and they're all too big. The shoulders are too wide, the body is too big and the sleeves are too full. It makes him look smaller and sickly like he's lost too much weight.

2008-08-14-2.jpg
John's McCain's jackets tend to be too big. It's unlikely it's because he needs it for his gut. They're just poor choices. The shoulders are too big and the sleeves are way too long. Look at how his sleeves are folded just to have it at the right length.

2008-08-14-3.jpg
The shoulders on this suit are too wide, making him look smaller, and his sweaters make him look like a grandfather, not a presidential candidate. The sweater says "I need to keep my old bones warm, even in the dead heat of summer." If he's truly in need of a little warmth, a 3-piece suit would be a better choice. He can stay warm and still look more presidential. A vest is a much better option.

2008-08-14-4.jpg
John McCain's suit jackets are too long. He clearly should be wearing a short size, not a regular size. The longer jacket and lower button stance is too low for his frame. Not to mention the jacket is still too wide in the shoulders.

A more suitable cut for his frame and stature would be more of a trimmer fit. It would elongate his body and make him look taller and a trimmer cut would also make him not look so stout. A man can be short and proportioned, but McCain's clothes currently do not reflect that.

2008-08-14-6.jpg

John McCain can also find better fitting casual wear that won't make him look so wide. Beyond the fact that McCain eeds to dress sharper because he's the shorter candidate, he also needs to step it up because he has a beautiful slender wife. Until he dresses better, she steals every shot they are in together. After all, they should look like the first couple already. She already looks like the first lady.

Alan Au is Marketing Director & Vice President of Jimmy Au's for Men 5' 8" and Under in Beverly Hills, California.

There has not been a President in The White House who has stood shorter than 5'8" since President McKinley took office in 1897. At 5'7" John McCain is up against more than just 6'3" Barack Obama, he's...
There has not been a President in The White House who has stood shorter than 5'8" since President McKinley took office in 1897. At 5'7" John McCain is up against more than just 6'3" Barack Obama, he's...
 
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Can't CindyLou afford a style cosultant for her maverick??? The wrinkled, dishevled look went out in the 60's.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:00 AM on 08/16/2008
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This is nonsense like Faux News saying 0bama is too thin to be president. There are plenty of reasons why McBush should not be president but this is not one of them. To be more accurate McBush is 5'6" and 0bama is 6'2", you must be using NBA heights.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 06:21 AM on 08/16/2008
- rini I'm a Fan of rini 37 fans permalink
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Yeah, but it is a fact that there are unconscious reasons that people vote and height is one of them. They think of Obama as stronger and more imposing because of his height.

Of course, this time, I'm glad about this. If McCain were taller and a hawk he could potentially look strong to people who don't understand history or the facts of the war. Instead, his height makes him look like a little Napoleon, with issues.

Hmm, perhaps there is a truth to this.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 09:23 AM on 08/16/2008
- JulieSA I'm a Fan of JulieSA 165 fans permalink
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His medical record says 5'9". I met him once, and he was taller than I am, unless he was wearing lifts. I'm 5'8".

Not that I care. Like you, I don't base my vote for anyone on height or fashion sense.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:31 PM on 08/16/2008
- Eoin45 I'm a Fan of Eoin45 44 fans permalink

You may think you do don't but a lot of studies show that subconciously those things do contribute to your decision. Don't flatter yourself that you are as objective as you think you are. No one, myself included, is.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:02 PM on 08/16/2008
- Eoin45 I'm a Fan of Eoin45 44 fans permalink

"There are plenty of reasons why McBush should not be president but this is not one of them." You need to work on your reading comprehension. It does not say that he should not be president because of his height and dress. It says those things may be hindrances to his being elected. I, for one, hope they are.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:00 PM on 08/16/2008
- Lupin77 I'm a Fan of Lupin77 6 fans permalink

Didn't know he was such a little guy. His wife dresses beautifully - she should give him some tips on clothing and give him a make over if that's possible.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 06:17 AM on 08/16/2008
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I guess we have come a long way, baby, when we can have a male commentator dish about a man who is running for president regarding that man's height and wardrobe the way everybody mocks any woman associated with such a contest. Having said that, obviously, by dressing McCain in larger clothes someone is trying to make him look bigger. However, there are a million and one worrisome and offensive aspects to McCain himself. His height and clothing are not two of them. This is a total waste of time and space!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:49 AM on 08/16/2008
- mollysgran I'm a Fan of mollysgran 3 fans permalink
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He is not 5'7" he is 5' 6". I have read numerous articles that give his height as such.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:59 AM on 08/16/2008
- JulieSA I'm a Fan of JulieSA 165 fans permalink
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His medical record says 5'9". I met him once, and he was taller than I am, unless he was wearing lifts. I'm 5'8".

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:29 PM on 08/16/2008
- YunekFlava I'm a Fan of YunekFlava 68 fans permalink
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This man has enough money to spemd $520 on shoes and can't have his clothing customed? No one would blame him, because he apparently has a problem with his arms and leg. So handle your business man, and look presidential. Talk presidential, be presidential. Wait , hold it, 1 out of two ain't bad.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:45 AM on 08/16/2008
- ZimboChick I'm a Fan of ZimboChick 95 fans permalink
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Methuselah can get his limbs stretched. They are doing wonders these days and he has the money - I mean Sindhee (sounds like a Bollywood pros...) has the money.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:55 AM on 08/16/2008
- flydoghead I'm a Fan of flydoghead 33 fans permalink
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Shoe are very important ...your feet go in them.....

Rockport John Mc

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:44 PM on 08/16/2008
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I think this is a ploy by McCain to "connect" with most of America...there's no way in the world you can have the money that he has,be in the running for POTUS, and NOT wear custom-tailored suits,clothers,etc. (Perhaps not custom leather jackets, but he could afford it) - and he's dressing like that and wearing $500 shoes? No...
Not only that, but I refuse to believe that his wife could be so impeccably dressed and allow him to slog around in those froomp clothes - unless she's in on the ploy.
Notice I wrote "wear" and not "have",because I'm sure that he does OWN tailored clothes...but he wouldn't want to appear "elitist", now would he?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:41 AM on 08/16/2008
- harriscrl3 I'm a Fan of harriscrl3 191 fans permalink

I think his sense of style is atrocious and that has nothing to do with his height. I dont know who pick s his clothes but its just awful mediocre average and just plain Blah.

Carol

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:08 AM on 08/16/2008

Has anybody else noticed McCain's been wearing the same old blue & white checkered shirt everywhere?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:48 AM on 08/16/2008

Check this out signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080524/news_lz1n24mccain.htmlhtml it says that he is 5` 9.5" tall

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:37 AM on 08/16/2008

more like hottest elderly lady....

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:21 AM on 08/16/2008
- tubette I'm a Fan of tubette 8 fans permalink
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LOL!!! unfortunately the majority of voters here are in the same situation or worse..... so his appearance will probably endear him to many obese voters nationwide... remember dudya won on things many people couldn't begin to fathom and so may McCain.... in fact just talking about it will probably get mccain votes. it's not just blue vs red.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:17 PM on 08/15/2008
- MyGuyO I'm a Fan of MyGuyO 42 fans permalink
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Cindy McCain...the biggest elitist of them all!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:58 PM on 08/15/2008
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you mean "hottest first lady"...right? If so, I agree.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:27 PM on 08/15/2008

hotter than barbara bush? i think not...

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:35 PM on 08/15/2008
- YunekFlava I'm a Fan of YunekFlava 68 fans permalink
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Hotter than the next first lady? I don't think so.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:47 AM on 08/16/2008
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I tell you what--she knows how to carry a pant suit! That tweed job is stunning-she looks like a Bond girl! Hillary, take note!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:51 AM on 08/16/2008
- JABean I'm a Fan of JABean 3 fans permalink

Not a McCain fan at all, but he's got all those problems with his arms/shoulders because he's disabled from the POW time. Nothing off the rack will ever look good on him. But, if he had any real smarts or sense of style, he would have his clothes custom made. Short on funds John? Sell a house! Find a tailor!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:46 PM on 08/15/2008
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