Before he became Mayor of San Francisco, style icon Willie L. Brown Jr. served for 30 years in the California State Assembly, half of that time dominating California politics as its Speaker. The photos in this post are in a rough chronological order covering the last twenty years.
Brown loves clothes, and has more than 100 suits in his wardrobe, including the light gray three button that he wore on a visit to Hong Kong. In his recent biography, Basic Brown: My Life and Our Times , Brown devotes several pages to his dress. One of his recommendations is that the first advisor chosen by a man starting a political career today should be a wardrobe consultant.
That's because he believes that public figures should be aware that they are on camera around the clock, and ought to pay constant attention to how they look (a lesson that the current Mayor, Gavin Newsom, has taken to heart). Brown, who often wears blazers like the one in the photo, frequently changed his clothes four times a day in order to be dressed correctly for each occasion. I do not at all doubt his belief that the photos of the one time he looked bad would be certain to be the ones chosen for publication by an unfriendly editor.
Are there flaws in his look? Of course. I wish, for example, that he didn't tie a half Windsor. But overall, Willie Brown adds considerable style to the City of San Francisco, which can use all it gets.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Style Icon: Willie Brown
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13 comments:
Ah, another post on the "Politician Style" theme. Willie Brown is a pretty despicable character, IMVHO, even if Wilkes thinks highly of him (WB is a good customer, after all). Perhaps if he spent less time focusing on his clothing... What can we expect next, an analysis of Stalin's pocket squares or what kind of knot Pol Pot used? ;)
Wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning Laguna?
Laguna,
If anyone can find a photo of Uncle Joe in a navy blazer and grey flannels, I wouldn't mind seeing it at all.
I like how in the 3rd picture his socks complement his tie. And I like how he does not feel the need to wear pins on his lapel.
Happy April.
Willie can definitely dress. While I disagree with many of political positions (I am a Southern Californian after all), I give him kudo's for sticking to his convictions. No one can say he flip-flopped on the issues. Although, he is the poster child for term limits.
I'm surprised you didn't pick the Governor to analyze, Will. From other blogs/websites, his sartorial flair and personal style seem to be the hot topic.
My apologies, Will, I forgot that Willie Brown is an apt choice for an April 1st post.
Sometimes things can work on more than one level.
I'm a novice at (clothing) style and would like to know what knot you prefer Mayor Brown to wear on that image.
Thanks and great website to learn the fundamentals of dress style for a man
Diego, the four in hand is the knot favored by most well-dressed men. It's just a bit more relaxed and casual.
laguna beach trad,
I defy you to justify your comparison of WB and either of the murderous despots you mentioned.
Why limit oneself to the four-in-hand knot when you recommended Tomas Fink's book "85 ways to tie a tie"? Or is the recommendation for Mayor Brown, specifically (and in that case, why)?
Sartorial regards,
J
I was wondering why you do not care for the half-windsor? Is it with Willie Brown's specific shirt collar or do you not favor that knot generally?
I find the half-windsor too regular. It looks like the wearer is trying too hard, and that flies in the face of the dégagé air that defines the really well dressed man.
But I'm not exclusively a four in hand man. I'll throw an extra wrap around the knot when the toe is too long, or thinly lined.
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