Such an appearance can also serve as a signal to supporters.
Shiny suits, shoulder pads, and excessively long ties in bright colors — a dress code that can hardly be called typical for an American president. Some criticize Donald Trump for his lack of taste, while others see his dressing style as a protest or a calculated continuation of his political image. How Trump's style became an important part of his public image and what his unconventional color choices signify is discussed in this RTVI.US article.
Contrary to the rule that the end of the tie should touch the belt buckle, Trump prefers to leave the front part longer. At the same time, the back part of the tie often turns out to be too short to secure it in the special loop, but here too, Trump found a solution — in some photos, it is visible that he tapes the narrow part at the back with tape.
The most common theory as to why Trump ties his tie this way is that the elongated tie visually elongates the silhouette. Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie recalled in his memoirs that during the 2016 election campaign, Trump advised him to wear long ties to look slimmer. Christie was his opponent in the 2023 Republican primaries as well, but he dropped out of the race both times and supported Trump, who ultimately won both elections.
"The ratio of tie to belt is an element of men's fashion that rarely draws attention. Trump's approach breaks traditional rules but creates a recognizable silhouette," writes Color Psychology.
On the other hand, a long tie can be perceived as a demonstration of masculinity and dominance, notes Richard Ford, author of the book Dress Codes: How the Laws of Fashion Made History.
Such an appearance can also serve as a signal to supporters who value the leader's straightforwardness and ostentatious simplicity, reports Newsweek. Through this visual communication, Trump builds an emotional connection with voters and strengthens trust.
"Trump's ties tell us something about his social and political connections. He has made the image of a tasteless mogul a sort of brand. Many of his supporters welcome this because they appreciate his lack of sophistication — they see it as a refreshing change compared to traditional politicians born with a silver tie clip in their long, elegant fingers," notes Ford.
Colors of the American Flag and Leadership
Trump's frequent choice of red ties paired with a blue suit resonates with the colors of the U.S. flag, emphasizing the patriotic sentiment of the wearer. Additionally, red is the color of the Republican Party.
As Color Psychology writes, red also embodies power, confidence, and proactivity. For a businessman turned politician, such a choice seems justified and logical. In combination with dark suits, a red tie creates a striking contrast and attracts attention. This allows Trump to stand out among politicians who often blend into the background of dark blue suits with ties in more subdued shades.
Polls show that voters often characterize Trump's tie choices as "clear" and "uncomplicated" — qualities that align with his political positioning. Sometimes Trump appears in purple, yellow, or blue ties.
This year, during his address to Congress, his younger son Barron Trump, unlike his brothers, chose a blue tie. Some publications emphasize that such a choice should not always be interpreted as a clear political signal: Barron has repeatedly appeared in public wearing a blue tie — including during his father's campaign rally in July 2024 and at the inauguration last January. At the address, the politician's son-in-law Michael Boulos also preferred a tie in shades of blue.
Custom Suits from Brioni
As Newsweek notes, Trump prefers suits from the Italian brand Brioni. Many other elements of his wardrobe, including Oxfords, are also made abroad. The official souvenir website featuring the president's merchandise, Trump Store, states that Trump's classic red ties are produced in the U.S., however, Times of India suggests that they are supplied by the Italian brand Italo Ferretti.
According to The Guardian, the bulky jackets may be an attempt to correct his figure, but the choice of models with shoulder pads is harder to explain. Brioni emphasizes that the president's suits are custom-made, and "the silhouettes and fabrics meet his personal requirements."
In the 2004 book Think Like a Millionaire, Trump called Brioni his favorite brand for shirts and suits. In the "Best Ties" category, he highlighted Brioni and Hermès.
"Over the years, I have worn a lot of great shirts, but now I prefer Brioni (the same brand as my favorite suits). Brioni shirts have a fitted cut, so they fit perfectly and look great," he wrote.
In addition to the fact that Trump's classic ties are made of 100% silk, he also prefers suits made from shiny fabrics. Many also note that his jackets are too big for him, while his pants are both too wide and too long. According to The Guardian, this gives him a "fairy-tale look," while Esquire is convinced that Trump simply dresses in the dark.
"One might think that Donald Trump has exhausted all ways to completely ruin his appearance. The suits are way, way too big. The fabric is too shiny… he even tapes his ties together. It is completely obvious that the President of the United States dresses in the dark," points out Esquire.
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