Business Casual at the White House

Sign Of The Times

Updated Apr. 25, 2017 4:24PM EDT / Published Jan. 29, 2009 2:35AM EST

Pete Souza / White House via Getty Images

President Obama raised eyebrows after taking office when the first picture of him at his desk in the Oval Office depicted him (gasp!) without a jacket, a departure from President Bush's strict dress code. According to Obama's senior advisor, David Axelrod, the change reflects Obama's Hawaiian roots—specifically, his preference for high temperatures. "He likes it warm. You could grow orchids in there," Axelrod said. Obama has loosened other clothing restrictions as well, encouraging "business casual" on weekends among staff and wearing a sweater over a buttoned-down shirt to briefings. Bush aide Dan Bartlett said that he would "get chewed out for 15 minutes" by the president if he showed up to work in similar attire.

Read it at The New York Times

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Business Casual at the White House

Pete Souza / White House via Getty Images