Hold your horses: Macron also brings French style to China
There are plenty of guys who would benefit from a lesson in Macron’s discreet apparel, we have broken down his approach into a handful of helpful hints
French President Emmanuel Macron is headed to China where he will engage in a tête-à-tête with President Xi Jinping about everything from climate change to the “Belt and Road Initiative”. But enough of the substance - what about the style?
It’s less than a year since Macron took office, when he was being roundly criticised by the French media for appearing too élitist for the egalitarian ideals of La République.
So he dressed down: gone were the US$1,400 Lagonda suits; in came more modest, off-the-rack numbers from Jonas et Cie. Macron has shown that even when he has political checkboxes to tick, he can still cut a diplomatic dash. And as there are plenty of guys out there who could benefit from Macron’s lesson in discreet apparel, we have broken down his approach into a handful of helpful hints:
1. Keep it simple. Macron’s suits are all about understatement. You won’t see glittering silk linings and flash detailing in these outfits – and they’re all the better for it. Put them with a pair of Oxfords (in France they’re called Richelieu) and you’re all set.
2. Be consistent. The look that Macron has cultivated is precise and measured across the board. Everything fits; everything is in its place. Tomorrow’s outfit won’t look wildly different from today’s. And while he’s left flamboyance behind him, he’s never seen committing a fashion faux pas.
3. Get the blues. Whether you’re wearing HK$5,000 or HK$5 million, nothing says no-nonsense like the plain navy suits Macron opts for.