How to Dress Like a Prime Minister

WA Premier Mark McGowan, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, BHP CEO Mike Henry, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Australian Minister for Resources Madeleine King visit the BHP Nickel West Kwinana Nickel Refinery in Perth, Australia, on Oct. 22, 2022. (Richard Wainwright/Pool/Getty Images)

Commentary

Welcome to the world of Australian politics, where cosplay isn’t reserved for Comic-Con enthusiasts but has become a staple extravaganza for the nation’s Prime Ministers.

“Clothes maketh the man” is the mantra guiding them as they parade their finery like peacocks on display. Yet, in this world of tailored illusions, it’s less about policy and more about projecting the perfect image to charm the masses.

With a salary nudging a cool $587,000 (US$391,770)—more than the UK PM, and nipping at the heels of the U.S. president—our Australian leaders are not only well-compensated but are also fabulously kitted out, with perks like free lodging on the Kirrbilli waterfront with a bird’s eye view of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, a mansion in Canberra, and a private jet thrown into the deal.

The Anthony Squires Suit Legacy

One would think that with such generous compensation, the prime minister would naturally favour sartorial elegance: perhaps an impeccable Anthony Squires suit, a garment that’s wrapped itself around the shoulders of nearly every leader since Robert Menzies’ reign in 1949.

Well, almost every prime minister, that is, except for a certain Paul Keating, who preferred Zegna suits, and Julia Gillard, who, being a woman, couldn’t be tailored in Anthony Squires.

But alas, not all follow suit with the precise precision of Squires’ scissors.

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Despite strutting through at least two fashion shoots, our current PM has a taste that leans more toward the ideologically charged.

This was a man who, in the 80s, fancied cosying up to the good old Marxist-Leninist crowd and their comrades from the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front.

That dubious lot, aligned with the geopolitical greats of the day—the Soviet Union, North Korea, Nicaragua, and Cuba—might’ve been the perfect companions for a jaunty romp through the international halls of revolutionary fervour.

The Chairman Mao Suit

So, one can’t help but ponder: might this chap not feel rather more at home in a classic Chairman Mao suit, the pinnacle of proletarian chic, than in the dapper folds of Squires’ legacy?

The portrait of ideological purity, a sharp crease and a well-fitted collar, would undoubtedly make for a spectacular sight, though perhaps not one that'd earn a place in any glossy Anthony Squires catalog.

The High Vis Vest

However, despite such ideological inclinations, he too has succumbed to the irresistible lure of high fashion, appearing in no less than two sizzling fashion shoots.

But what does it truly take to dress like a leader of this sunburnt country?

Forget the boardroom; it’s all about hard hats and high-visibility jackets if you want to shine at a press call.

Scott Morrison and Tony Abbott were often spotted in the classic hi-vis orange, while Anthony Albanese recently sported a high-vis with the Rio Tinto logo—a fashion faux pas that did not go unnoticed.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is seen during a tour of the Visy Recycling Facility in Brisbane, Australia, on Oct. 12, 2020. (Darren England/Pool/Getty Images)

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (C), Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida—and BHP CEO Mike Henry (R)—hold jars of nickel sulphate during a visit to the BHP Nickel West Kwinana Nickel Refinery in Perth, Australia, on Oct. 22, 2022. (Richard Wainwright/Pool/Getty Images)

The Budgy Smugglers

Sports events offer yet another arena for political fashion statements. John Howard, ever the cricket aficionado, would don the sacred green and gold of the Australian cricket team, his enthusiasm as palpable as the crack of bat on ball during a fiery test match.

Scott Morrison, meanwhile, would swagger into the stands clad in the blue and black of the Cronulla Sharks, his jersey as much a political statement as a show of undying team spirit.

Then there’s Tony Abbott, a spectacle unto himself, frequently spotted in his snug swimwear at surf lifesaving events, or pedalling fervently through charity rides.

His athletic exploits were not just about keeping fit but parading his vigour and virility—a true gladiator in the coliseum of public approval. Each jersey, each pair of trunks, a carefully organised piece in the grand chess game of political imagery.

Peruvian Ponchos and Hawaiian Shirts

And of course, there’s the APEC wardrobe—the pièce de résistance of political cosplay.

Who could forget Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull in Peruvian alpaca ponchos, or Julia Gillard’s bold foray into Hawaiian shirts? Even John Howard had his moment in the outback-chic Driza-Bone coats.

But the dressing up doesn’t stop at APEC. Our current PM once donned a turban, an ensemble that perhaps left more of an impression than his Kokoda Trail gear, and not necessarily for the right reasons.

‘Politics, Show Business for Ugly People’

As Claire Kimball, former communications director for Tony Abbott once remarked in the Australian Financial Review, “Politics is show business for ugly people.”

And indeed, in this show, the wardrobe is as crucial as any policy debate.

Most politicians may have backgrounds where fashion was the least of concerns, but in the high-stakes world of politics, it seems they are now playing dress-up on a global stage, navigating the fine line between statesmanship and spectacle.

So, the next time you see our PM, whether in bespoke suits or in APEC-inspired attire, remember: in the corridors of power, every day is a runway, and every outfit is a carefully crafted statement.