You can tell a lot about a man by his tie — and what the Republican cravats tell us is that Herman Cain is eccentric, Newt Gingrich is conservative and Mitt Romney just wants to be noticed.
Former pizza honcho Cain sports a signature flashy gold necktie at every GOP debate. His campaign spokesman, J.D. Gordon, said the bold choice is a significant part of the candidate’s image. “Mr. Cain is a firm believer in the ‘Gold Standard,’ ” said Gordon. “His selection of ties reflects that philosophy.”
Former Speaker of the House Gingrich has opted for a drab maroon tie at nine debates, while Gov. Rick Perry wore a bright, solid red tie — the iconic color of the Republican Party — four times consecutively.
At the 11th debate last Tuesday, Massachusetts Gov. Romney steered clear of his go-to baby-blue tie collection, which stylists call a “safe color” because it flatters almost everyone. Instead, he opted for eye-catching diagonal stripes — an effort to distinguish himself from the dark suits.
The 3-inch-wide swath of color dangling from a candidate’s neck is the only memorable piece of clothing a male politician can flash — and his one chance to show he has any flair for fashion.
And the GOP men are blowing it.
Across the board, the red-state candidates are behind recent trends in tie width, according to fashion mavens.
“The new standard tie width is 2 1/2 to 3 inches,” said Tyler Thoreson, head of men’s editorial and creative at Gilt Groupe. “The current candidates are wearing 3³/-inch-wide ties.”
They’re also missing the mark on the color of the season.
“Lavender is the newest, hottest color, but I haven’t seen one candidate have the nerve to wear it,” said Sarah Palin’s former stylist, Lisa A. Kline. Jon Huntsman, sporting periwinkle, came closest on Nov. 9.
Stylists said the candidates’ neckwear looks like staples purchased at Brooks Brothers for about $100 a pop.
This year “red is being overused,” said Kline. “There’s been a solid theme going on with most of the candidates, and Romney likely wore stripes last week in an effort to stand out.”
Political consultant Mike Feldman, who worked on the Clinton-Gore campaign in 1992, said his basic rule of thumb for candidates and fashion is “do no harm.”
“Conservative and careful win out over trendy and bold,” said Feldman, dismissing the idea of a politician in a hip, skinny tie. “ ‘Trendy’ is not an adjective you want associated with your presidential candidate. A fashion decision is not a voting issue, so conservative is the safe bet.”
As the only woman sharing the debate stage, Rep. Michele Bachmann already stands out. But her fashion choices sometime miss the mark, according to style professionals.
“She’s a well-dressed woman, but her fashion is inconsistent and she doesn’t have a signature look,” said Kline, who criticized Bachmann’s shoe collection, as well as her choice of metallic outfits during the day.
While Middle America might appreciate a fat, red tie, New York fashionistas are eagerly awaiting a more cutting-edge nominee.
“If in 2016 we see a candidate wearing a 3-inch wool tie,” said Thoreson, “that’s when you’ll know a new generation of candidate has arrived on the scene.”
MITT ROMNEY
The ex-Massachusetts governor tends to favor a light blue tie with a subtle pattern. It’s the safe, boring choice.
“Blue looks good on everyone,” says stylist Lisa A. Kline. But last week, Romney broke out diagonal stripes that distinguished him from rivals
HERMAN CAIN
The former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza is the only candidate who’s not a politician—and his neckwear shows it. Cain wears a gold tie to every debate, calling it his “power color.” Stylists say the color is flattering, but can come off as ostentatious.
NEWT GINGRICH
The former speaker of the House has a reputation for thinking he’s the smartest guy in the room—and that guy doesn’t have to catch headlines with his sartorial flair. Gingrich has sported an unremarkable maroon tie at the nine debates so far.
RICK PERRY
Fashionistas say the Texas governor’s style is typical of a self-made man. “The flashy ties, the French cuffs, the feathered hair, that big ring he wears—Perry is proud to tell the world he’smade something of himself,” says Tyler Thoreson of Gilt Groupe.