The pocket square was a particularly distracting flourish. Paired with a tie, a pocket square tends to make a man look more formally attired. But without that accompaniment, it can look almost jaunty and rakish -- like Sinatra or Dino in Vegas.
Hussein's style choice throws the viewer off balance. Is his modest paean to the Flamingo a simple reflection of his hair-dyeing, gold-leaf-loving, frightful vanity? Or has he decided to beat the "occupiers" from within their own system? Take it over, or mock it?
December 2, 2005
Saddam on trial -- in a Western suit with a pocket square but no tie!
Robin Givhan wonders what that means:
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24 comments:
Even with tie, Saddam could never be a member of this group!
Not even a bowtie
Ties are a tool of the oppressor.
If I had a time machine, I would go back and kill the inventor of the tie.
So yeah, call me objectively pro-Saddam on this one.
To steal the slogan from the Army: Saddam is a Rat Pack of One.
and for the Saddam biopic?...Nick Nolte, right? Remember his arrest photo? Oh, yeah, baby...
Robin Givhan is an ass.
I am a local subscriber to the WP. Robin is an out of control columnist that tries to read lots of politics into fashion statements.
My favorite was her critique of the Robert's children at the appointment announcement in the WH. For those of you who have forgotten, that is the one where John Jr was doing the dancing and Mom and older sister were looking askance. Robin made a huge deal of complaining about the classic and overdressed kids. My view and those of many were that the kids were dressed in what used to be called :Sunday Best".. a totally appropriate dress for appearing as a 4 YO at the WH IMHO.
Robin is an opinionated blowhard.
Perhaps it's a different subconscious message: I look like you. Please don't put a noose around my neck.
May the court correct the lack of tied material around Hussein's neck swiftly, if momentarily.
I've always equated ties with wearing a noose. Perhaps he does too.
In his position, I'd be reluctant to wear a noose any sooner than forced as is...
It's not so important what he wears, but much more important what he SAYS!
Saddam's wearing of American style clothes is probably a plea for American style justice. Given the alternative, which he certainly deserves, I think it is a smart move.
The best thing about that article was the Clooney/Saddam resemblance, lol.
I think it probably has something to do about not allowing him something to commit suicide with by hanging. He probably doesn't have a belt or shoe laces.
I agree Allen. Has anyone had a look at his feet to see if he has laces on? Where is the Manolo when you need him?
I think Saddam looks rather comfy and sporty.
His clothes are saying, "Let's wrap this baby up and get on with some good clean fun and cocktails afterwards,... oh, and pump up the Kenny G."
Like if you removed his head, he looks like he could be anybody's uncle in that outfit.
I've got a bottle of Dom I'm saving for his execution date.
"Saddam's wearing of American style clothes . . ."
How is a pocket square sans tie "American style?" I've never in my life seen any man wear a suit with pocket square and no tie. Now, sportcoat with pocket square but no tie, sure. I've done that myself on occasion, because I am horribly affected. And I've even seen people in suits with no ties, though that was in Japan and Korea, not the US. But "American style" would be showing up in jeans and a tailored blazer or something, wouldn't it? I suppose there may be some rarefied subsection of American society for which a suit without a tie but with a pocket square is normal, but I've never come across it.
Anyhow, he needs an ascot to complete the look. An ascot, and a buttonhole. It will go so well with that one picture where he's kitted out in hunting gear (complete with a little hat -- a trilby, maybe?) brandishing his rifle.
It pains me to say it, but I would have found this sooo clever when I was in college. What equisitely discursive irony! What sassy semiosis!
How dated and insufferable.
Just curious: did this article remind anyone else of that "West Wing" episode in which C.J. was bedeviled by a fashion reporter/writer who was "playing at" being a serious White House reporter?
It sure did me ...
(C.J. got her good, too.)
Balefegor, this is a good point:
"How is a pocket square sans tie 'American style?'"
When I wrote Western style dress it made me think of shirts with snaps and snail trails and cowboy boots. So...
So forgive me if this is a little off-topic, but when I clicked to the Washington Post story, I see there is a link back to the Althouse Blog. (I'm new to the blogosphere and this is the first time I've seen a MSM paper do this.) I'm wondering about this relationship.
MSM posts a story; Althouse blogs; MSM links back to the blog on the original story. I guess its good in a way because the Washington Post is tipping its cap to you Ann. However, from what I've perceived about some blogger attitudes towards the MSM, maybe the Washington Post linking back to you is pulling you into the stream a little too much.
The fourth layer of back and forth is that now someone (me) is posting about the MSM's link back to Althouse.
Is the Washington Post co-opting blogs or is this just an example of the dynamic environment that is the Internet?
The Manolo would outfit him with slippers.
The Manolo: "Sadam, I give you the slippers with the earth tone colour, to match the terra firma of your soon to be bed."
Sadam: "WTF?"
PWS: WaPo has that set up automatically through Techorati. It does reward bloggers for blogging about them, but it doesn't screen for positive or negative. I think it's nicely blog-friendly of them. It gives them a nice jump on the NYT, which stymies us with TimesSelect and links that die.
What is a "pocket square"? A handkerchief in the breast pocket arranged to show a thin edge?
The Drill Sgt sez: Robin Givhan is an ass.
Seconded.
After Givhan's Roberts & Family column was published I remember reading someone who said something to the effect: "What the Hell does she know? Anyone who was married to Mike Tyson..." and I forget the rest. But it was a real zinger.
And belatedly, DS, thanks for your input on my "Plow their fields with salt" comment in another thread. That was exactly what I meant.
Good to hear Saddam is in trial.I see Saddam wearing tailcoat.
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