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Published
Dec 12, 2011
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Fashionistas fault Gingrich's sense of style

By
AFP
Published
Dec 12, 2011

WASHINGTON - Newt Gingrich may be the opinion-poll leader among Republican presidential hopefuls, but his style of dress fails to impress the daily diary of the US fashion industry.


Newt Gingrich - Spencer Platt/AFP

Women's Wear Daily gave the paunchy former speaker of the House of Representatives a C-minus in its "man of the week" feature Thursday, saying "there's almost nothing right" about his casual shirt-and-slacks outfit.

"The black belt separating the pastel blue short-sleeve dress shirt from the beige pleated slacks accentuates his less-than-svelte middle," it said, deconstructing a photo of the politician holding a hand over his heart.

Trying to be helpful, the WWD website (www.wwd.com) suggested that a dark V-neck sweater would "minimize his girth without compromising his accessibility" while darker color trousers would be "always slimming."

It also advised Gingrich, who is seeking the Republican nomination to challenge President Barack Obama in the November 2012 elections, to steer clear of "voluminious" slacks that would be "more appropriate for a Palm Beach lady who lunches" -- a reference to frumpy but wealthy retirees in Florida.

Other Republicans previously graded by WWD have included Rick Perry, who earned a B-plus for understanding "the power of a sharp suit," and Herman Cain, who got a C for "fashion choices (that) do nothing to clear his name" from sexual harrassment allegations that led him to drop out of the race.

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