Barack Obama, somewhat famously, is a guy who knows what looks good on him. During his time in the White House, Obama’s wardrobe of tailored suits and tuxes were as understated as they were expertly dialed-in, making him one of the best-dressed presidents of the last century.
Obama has maintained that lofty standard in his post-presidential era, donning a woodsy double-denim ensemble to big up America’s national parks, subtly incorporating a Black-owned athleisure brand into his 2022 NYE fit, and rocking a superlatively crisp navy Armani two-button with an expertly knotted silk tie for his appearance at the DNC. But the latest addition to the 44th President of the United States’ wardrobe is as iconic as it is unexpected: a black and red Filson Alaskan Guide shirt courtesy of would-be Democratic VP (and die-hard flannel guy) Tim Walz. (And yes, that’s Bradley Whitford, a.k.a. Josh Lyman, skulking in the background.)
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Walz, a candidate who is as celebrated for his folksy midwestern dadcore wardrobe as for his support of reproductive freedom, has made a rotation of barn coats, buffalo plaid shirt jackets, and camo hats a cornerstone of his brand on the campaign trail. Walz’s sincere appreciation of these American workwear classics hasn’t been lost on Obama, who quipped, “Those flannel shirts he wears don’t come from some political consultant,” at the DNC in August. “They come from his closet. And they’ve been through some stuff!”
And so it came to pass that backstage at a recent rally in Madison, Wisconsin (the heart of flannel shirt country) Walz presented a suited Barack Obama with his very own Alaskan Guide shirt, a black-and-red-checked staple of the Filson catalog since 1996. Cut from 8-oz. cotton flannel and available in half a dozen woodsy plaids, its tight-woven twill fabric and sturdy seams have made it the choice of woodsmen and off-duty urbanites for nearly three decades. As a more lightweight alternative to Walz’s beloved Filson Mackinaw shacket it’s a versatile layering piece and a useful addition to any wardrobe, presidential or otherwise.
