Barack Obama's Style Through the Years
After a breakup, some people tend to undergo a glow up period. During this time, these newly-liberated people may purchase new clothes, get a new haircut, and attach a permanent smile to their faces in an effort to look and feel better than they did in their previous relationship.
Since parting ways with the White House, former president Barack Obama has been going through a glow up period of his own, one that has drastically elevated his wardrobe and made it clear that he's officially moved on from his time as president and is enjoying his new life in style.
Obama's been spotted sporting everything from backwards hats to sleek, brown leather jackets. Since he's been spending a lot of time on vacation, he's also been captured rocking dark shades, button down shirts with the first three buttons undone, and cargo shorts. Now that the pressures of presidential life have ceased, it appears that Obama is taking time to focus on his wardrobe and glow brighter than he ever has. In honor of his birthday, let's look back at his most iconic style moments, before, during and after his Presidency.
Getty Images1/10Obama's impressive style evolution can be traced all the way back to his college years. Old black and white photographs captured of the president during his time at Columbia University and Harvard Law School, depict a baby-faced Obama donning a straw fedora, unbuttoned collared shirts, a fur-lined denim aviator jacket, and a slightly oversized leather jacket with a large collar.
Getty Images2/10During his presidential campaigns, Obama would occasionally remove his suit jacket and tie and give speeches in a mere button up and suit pant. This look made him appear more relatable to voters, and played off of his youth.
Getty Images3/10During his presidency, Obama's suits remained an everyday staple. However, at this time, he was sporting a slimmer cut and exclusively black and navy with a simple tie.
Getty Images4/10After graduating from law school, Obama's wardrobe transitioned drastically to fit his new life as a corporate lawyer, and later, senator. Dark suits, blue and white shirts, and stripped ties made up the bulk of his wardrobe. When he did step out in casual wear, dad jeans usually made an appearance.
Getty Images5/10On the one occasion in 2014, when Obama attempted to shake it up a bit and rock a beige suit, conservative media dragged his perfectly-tailored suit through the mud. He was criticized for it not meeting the unofficial presidential navy and black suiting dress code.
Getty Images6/10Sometimes Obama was able to get away with rocking a more casual look while in office. When he slid on a pair of dark shades, it was usually to complement one of his cool, laid-back ensembles.
Getty Images7/10When spending time with his family on vacation in Martha's Vineyard or in the backyard of the White House, Obama's style went into full-dad mode during his presidency. Dark straight-leg jeans, light weight polos, brown chinos, and golf-shirts were the norm.
Getty Images8/10Now that he has officially entered his post-presidency glow up period, Obama seems to be getting back to his roots and is definitely looking more and more like the college-aged Obama. He's picked up a new brown leather coat with a slimmer cut and even grabbed a pair of wayfarer sunglasses to add some edge. It's now rare to see him wearing a suit.
Getty Images9/10Over the past few months, it's almost rare not to see photos of Obama with at least three of the buttons on his collared shirt undone, exposing just enough of his chest to make headlines. He's also been spotted wearing backwards caps, and a lot of athletic wear on and off the golf course.
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