Shahid Khaqan Abbasi's attire at the UN meetings states a lot

His attire appears a bit undignified for a statesman of his position and raised a few eyebrows

LAHORE: Since ancient times rulers have used clothing and style to communicate their wealth, power and authority - from the red-heeled shoes worn by Louis XIV to Jinnah’s favoured caps to Chairman Mao's simple worker's uniform.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi attended the United Nation General Assembly session in New York on Tuesday where he had meetings with different head of the states and political figures but he was seen wearing a suit and white collar shirt without a necktie that would traditionally not complete the outfit.

It appeared a bit undignified for a statesman of his position and raised a few eyebrows. Agreed, politics is no place for avant-garde fashionistas, though it is still possible to dress well and follow international dress codes when representing one’s country in a gathering of world leaders.

No doubt, politics is a serious institution about substantive issues, rather than a popularity contest based on what the contenders look like but there are certain dress codes which need to be followed regardless, especially on a serious platform of the United Nations where the Prime Minister of Pakistan is going to address the world leaders.

Fact is that the right attire can be mighty powerful political currency as all eyes will be on him tomorrow when he delivers a very significant speech, his attire will speak volumes as well. If the PM is not comfortable with a necktie he could easily opt for a waist coat or Sherwani which is our national dress and looks equally elegant.



Political leaders all over the world have made impact with their attire, whether it was former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak who had his name woven into the pinstripes of his immaculate suits or Hamid Karzai’s flowing cape and hat combo which has remained unchanged for a decade now but when American fashion designer Tom Ford describes him as “the chicest man on the planet”, it is probably wise to keep wearing the same outfit but for someone like PM Abbasi, it will be advised to follow the international dress code when addressing the General Assembly session amongst the top leaders of the world.

Munib Nawaz, who is known for customising men’s suits for many celebrities and political figures spoke to The Express Tribune and said, “What our prime minister has given an impression is that I am a rock star, I am above all and no rules apply on me.

I am not sure if that is giving a positive or negative impression to the rest of the world. Dress code on such a huge platform like the United Nations represents your personality, your culture, even your beliefs. Rule of thumb is that any political leader cannot represent his delegation or a country with an open collar shirt.

You have to either wear a shirt with a necktie or a waist coast or at least a scarf but you cannot keep your shirt collar wide open when in a gathering of world leaders. If millions of tax payer money can be used to take this trip to the United Nations, a five thousand rupee tie could have been purchased too”.

Rizwan Beyg, Karachi-based fashion designer also told The Express Tribune, “Yes I agree, It is not befitting for a head of state to be dressed so informally .Our own sherwani is just as elegant and formal had he opted against wearing just a simple jacket over a shirt”.

Japan’s Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe emerged from a warp pipe at the Rio Olympics dressed as Mario but the stunt was part of the closing ceremonies where the host nation, Japan, for the next Olympics 2020 was introduced. Abe wore a red Mario cap and was briefly clothed in Mario’s overalls but he had a suit on underneath.

For centuries, and all around the globe, strict laws have governed what people wear. From caliphates to communist republics and even in the democratic west, a moral war is waged on world leaders' wardrobes.

Given the harshness of the spotlight into which Mr Abbasi has just shuffled, it might be reasonable to suggest he could have been forgiven for minor sartorial oversight but generally, one is not taken seriously without a tie.

When Marilyn Monroe quipped that all it took to conquer the world was the right pair of shoes, she perhaps knew more than she was letting on. Shoes, suits, ties all play some role in the lives of people who have conquered - if not the world, then at least parts of it.