Dressing for Diplomacy: How Clothes Shape International Meetings

In the world of politics, what you wear can speak volumes. This was clear during the recent meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy's choice of attire has evolved since his last visit to the White House. Last time, he opted for a casual black Henley shirt, no jacket, reflecting his wartime leadership style. But that meeting didn't go smoothly. President Trump criticized Zelenskyy for not showing enough gratitude for U. S. support. A reporter even questioned why Zelenskyy wasn't wearing a suit, suggesting it was disrespectful. This time around, Zelenskyy made a change. He wore a black canvas blazer over a collared shirt, still no tie, but looking more formal. This time, the reporter who had criticized his previous outfit called him "fabulous. " Even President Trump agreed. Zelenskyy playfully noted that the reporter hadn't changed his suit, while he had. Clothes in politics are never just about fashion. Sam Schube, who writes about fashion, pointed out that every outfit a politician wears sends a message. For example, Winston Churchill wore an air-raid suit to the White House in 1941, reminding Americans of the seriousness of the war in Europe. Zelenskyy has been working with a Ukrainian designer to blend his wartime style with more formal attire. This shows he's dressing for both battle and high-stakes diplomacy. He even called this recent White House visit "the best one" yet. While clothes don't define a person, they can certainly influence how meetings go.