The real reason why Donald Trump never wears jeans and prefers full business attire

The real reason why Donald Trump never wears jeans and prefers full business attire
When it comes to fashion, Donald Trump has always played by his own rules (Getty Images)

PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: When it comes to fashion, Donald Trump has always played by his own rules.

Unlike many other public figures, it seems the president-elect's wardrobe never made room for America's denim obsession—even when casual, rugged looks were all the rage. Here's why you’ll never spot Trump in jeans and what that says about his style choices.

Donald Trump has no love for denim

While '90s denim trends have made quite a comeback in recent years, Donald Trump’s campaign clearly did not get the memo. Unlike the baggy jeans, mom jeans, and even ripped styles we’re seeing everywhere, Trump has always stuck to his tailored suits—whether he’s at a rally or on stage at Mar-a-Lago.

Sure, he dresses down for the golf course, but even then, it’s a polo shirt and slacks—nothing that screams "casual Friday" (maybe it does for him).

ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND - JULY 10:  Donald Trump plays a round of golf after the opening of The Trump Int
Donald Trump plays a round of golf after the opening of The Trump International Golf Links Course on July 10, 2012, in Balmedie, Scotland (Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) 

It’s an undeniable contrast to some of his fellow former presidents. We’ve seen Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and even Barack Obama sporting jeans while in office. They’ve rocked denim at various public events, possibly trying to give that relatable "one of us" vibe.

But Trump? Not a chance. Even at traditionally casual events like the White House Easter Egg Roll, he stuck with his signature look: a full suit and tie.

It’s clear that Trump’s aversion to jeans isn’t so much about ignoring fashion trends as much as it is about maintaining a specific image. As Trump’s longtime butler, Anthony Senecal once spilled to Buzzfeed (via The Independent), "You’ll never just see him in a T-shirt and jeans—he’s going to be in a suit."

Former first lady Melania Trump and Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump walk off the stage after a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden on October 27, 2024 in New York City. Trump closed out his weekend of campaigning in New York City with a guest list of speakers that includes his running mate Republican Vice Presidential nominee, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), Tesla CEO Elon Musk, UFC CEO Dana White, and House Speaker Mike Johnson, among others, nine days before Election Day. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Melania Trump and Donald Trump walk off the stage after a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden on October 27, 2024, in New York City (Michael M Santiago/Getty Images)

Senecal even recalled that Trump used to own a pair of jeans for ski trips, but "when the skiing stopped, the jeans disappeared." They simply vanished from his wardrobe.

The polished and formal approach to dressing appears to be a family trait as well. Trump’s youngest son Barron Trump seems to have inherited his father’s preference for sharp attire. Melania Trump shared in a 2013 interview with ABC News that even as a little boy, Barron loved dressing up like his father. "He likes to dress up in a tie sometimes like Daddy," she said.

While she didn’t specifically mention jeans, she made it clear that her "Mini-Donald" was definitely "not a sweatpants child."

Barron Trump is seen at the funeral of Ivana Trump on July 20, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by JNI/Star Max/GC Images)
Barron Trump is seen at the funeral of Ivana Trump on July 20, 2022 in New York City (JNI/Star Max/GC Images)

Strategy behind Donald Trump’s signature look

While Donald Trump’s aversion to casual wear might be rooted in his desire to keep things professional, there’s more to it. Some of his fashion choices seem to be about strategically shaping his appearance. Over the years, the former president’s style has often been the subject of online chatter — particularly his choice of excessively long ties.

In Chris Christie’s memoir 'Let Me Finish', he revealed that Trump once admitted to wearing his ties long because he thought it was “slenderizing,” reported The Guardian.

Donald Trump dances off stage at the conclusion of a campaign rally at the J.S. Dorton Arena on November 04, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina.  (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Donald Trump dances off stage after a campaign rally at the JS Dorton Arena on November 4, 2024, in Raleigh, North Carolina (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Trump’s obsession with projecting a certain image doesn’t stop there. In August this year, social media had a field day when a photo of Trump’s interview with Elon Musk started circulating online. The photo showed Trump’s suit jacket bulging awkwardly at the shoulders, sparking mockery online.

Menswear expert Derek Guy chimed in on the situation, breaking down why Trump might be opting for this outdated accessory. Guy explained that Trump’s tailoring is done with the intention of concealing his weight. "Trump’s shoulders are relatively narrow compared to his waist, which gives his body a somewhat rectangular shape," Guy noted.



 

By adding heavy padding to his suits, Trump hopes to create a more balanced and powerful silhouette. According to Guy, padded shoulders can make his "silhouette look more powerful, authoritative, and formal."

Even though Trump’s style might seem a bit outdated or overly formal to some, it’s undeniably consistent. And while many of us might embrace a good pair of jeans or a casual weekend look, Trump isn't one to budge; It’s a suit-and-tie life for him, and he seems perfectly happy keeping it that way.

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