3rd Best President Franklin D. Roosevelt

3rd Best Dressed Man in the White House: Franklin D. Roosevelt

When it comes to naming the best-dressed presidents of all time, there are a great deal of individuals that could easily make the list. After all, dressing for the public eye is of the utmost importance for those who are in the political sphere, and no one wants to lose their chance at reelection because they dressed like a slob. While not everyone who has ever been president will find themselves on a “best-dressed” list, it’s safe to say that no one will argue against Franklin Delano Roosevelt making the cut. Indeed, FDR’s appearance was never once boring during his presidency, and served to differentiate him from many of the presidents that came before and after him. Consider all of the following elements of FDR’s style, many of which you might even be able to incorporate into the way you approach fashion today.



Unique Outerwear
A big part of why FDR is considered to be one of the best-dressed presidents of all time comes down to the fact that he was well-known for wearing unique jackets and outerwear. The Norfolk jacket, for example - while not outwardly strange - was a favorite of FDR during his later years, and he pulled it off with the utmost elegance and sophistication. Roosevelt is also one of the few presidents in history to don a cape on occasion, and there’s no getting around the fact that he looked great doing it. It was these types of ensemble elements that truly differentiated the president from his contemporaries, and they are a big part of the reason he is still considered one of the best-dressed men to ever take the presidency.

Boutonniere and Pocket Square
FDR liked his accessories! Two of his favorites were the pocket square and the boutonniere. But never did he wear both at the same time – something that some actually consider being a fashion Faux Pas. In comparison to JFK’s pocket squares however, FDR liked a more “decorative look”. While JFK preferred the sleek and elegant “presidential” pocket square fold, FDR liked the more captivating “Crown Fold” for his pocket squares.

Neckties & Bow Ties
FDR wore them both! Although the necktie was his go-to accessory, he was no stranger to the self-tied bow tie either. Maybe he borrowed this look from British prime minister Winston Churchill who made the polka dot bow tie his signature look. Regardless of what/who inspired FDR to spot the bow tie, we applaud him for doing so.

Casual Elegance
It’s not uncommon to hear people say that JFK exhibited the most in casual elegance out of just about any president, although FDR certainly deserves to be in the running. The president never dressed in a way that one might consider “stuffy” or pretentious; instead, he took a casual approach to formal fashion, and looked all the better for doing so. Think interesting collar bars, unique lapel facings and subtle, yet effective ties. Because FDR dressed in a way that made him seem like he knew what he was doing without being something other than what the “everyman” might wear formally, he was well-received by many individuals at the time.

Takeaways for the Modern Man
Perhaps the main reason why FDR stands out as being one of the best-dressed presidents of all time is the fact that he simply went for it with his approach to style. After all, it’s not everyday that someone can throw on a cape and truly get away with it. Consider adding similar elements to your look, which can be quite effective when it comes to breaking up monotony. In addition, look for suits that are not overly formal in appearance, yet are still elegant and attractive enough to be work in any situation. For best results, work with a tailor who understands exactly what it is that you’re trying to achieve.

Your Ties-Necktie.com Team