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Published : 07 Mar 2025, 04:11 AM
In the late 70s, when we were at school, there was a story in our Bangla textbook about Sheikh Saadi, a 13th century Persian poet and thinker.
The message of the story was profound, leaving a mark on many.
In short, here is how it goes: a man of repute is invited to a party and decides to appear in simple clothes.
But his appearance is met with derision and he is refused entry and driven away unceremoniously.
The same person goes back home, changes into majestic attire and then comes back to a regal reception.
At the dinner table, the host is surprised to see that instead of eating, the man is putting food on his gem-encrusted robe.
When asked, the guest replies: since the behaviour of everyone changes due to my clothes, it’s fitting to feed it!
There is a very powerful message here: treat a human for what she or he is and not by his material possessions or attractive clothes.
Now, from the angle of philosophy, this makes sense but we all know, in society, if not expensive, proper attire is always an asset.
ZELENSKY DOES NOT WEAR A SUIT
This brings us to the recent White House spat between the presidents of Ukraine and the United States.
What started out as a very polite interaction suddenly waded into rough terrain, triggered by a question regarding President Zelensky’s tendency to avoid wearing a suit whenever he is on state visits.
At the meeting between the presidents, a reporter present asked, in what may be called a very offending voice, if he owned a suit or not.
The same person then added in an admonishing tone as to why Zelensky refuses to wear a suit.
Let us try to put that White House in the context of everyday life.
Would you ask such a pointed question to a person you invited to your place in front of others, even if the clothes she or he wore did not please you?
Well, such acts are not unheard of and are done simply to denigrate others.
This question about not wearing formal clothes was asked to Zelensky about a year ago when he was in an interview wearing a T-shirt and he replied that once the predicament of his country was over, he would dress properly.
Sounds like a very sensible statement to me!
Well, if he had worn a suit and a tie it would not have lessened his position, however, the current choice of his clothes underline the struggle his nation is going through.
In fact, looking dapper with death and destruction plaguing his country would have appeared callous!
In any setting involving international dignitaries, his preference for smart casual with black as the colour, carries the message of Ukrainian stoicism in the face of aggression.
But let’s go back into history a bit to find those who decided to make sartorial statements by breaking convention.
At the UN in 1960, Fidel Castro gave what is believed to be the longest speech, wearing the trademark olive green uniform of the revolutionary Cuban army.
Che Guevara was hardly ever seen in anything else but the olive green combination.
In the 70s, many political leaders from humid countries decided to shun the traditional suit and don the more casual safari suit.
In Zaire, now DRC, the Abacost was made the national dress in the 70s - a word shortened for a bas le costume meaning “down with the suit”.
This was part of a wider authenticity programme aimed at reducing influence of attire with colonial ties.
The then head of state Mobutu wore this during his state visits.
In Indonesia and Malaysia, the formal dress is not a suit but the traditional silk shirt with elaborate designs over formal trousers.
In Bangladesh, both former president Ziaur Rahman and HM Ershad were Safari suit enthusiasts.
Their love for the two piece comfortable dress percolated to all levels of government and civil administration, thus making it the official attire from the top boss to the office service staff.
Post revolution Bangladesh has a Nobel laureate as the head of state who has defined a new style by donning clothes made by local artisans.
Muhammad Yunus is meeting foreign dignitaries in his attire of comfort.
I do not think if the occasion rises, he will change his preference to please any head of country.
DICTATING CLOTHES IN THE LAND OF THE FREE?
There’s no denying that a formal suit and tie exude elegance and dignity.
However, it’s also a fact that when everyone tries to fit into a template, originality suffers.
The USA is believed to be a nation where libertarian values are not only cherished but encouraged.
Or, has there been a radical shift recently?
All throughout the 80s, when the staple TV entertainment in Bangladesh featured American TV shows like A Team, MacGyver, Knight Rider, Fall Guy and the lot, the liberal creed of the country in all affairs from religion to education to clothes captivates young Bangladeshis.
In a way, it’s the love for US TV shows, featuring liberal values, which triggered the “USA for higher education”craze in the 80s.
These Bangladeshis later formed the foundation of the large US-Bangla diaspora.
Coming back to the White House drama, the word formal attire has evolved so much that what Zelensky was wearing could very well pass as formal because it was all black without any exposure of arms or chest.
I am not sure if there’s a dress code stating “suits are a must” to see the US president at the White House.
Would the Saudi crown prince be derided if he did not wear one?
I am sure, if he ever goes to meet Trump he will be in his national dress and certainly not a suit.
And it’s also certain no impudent reporter will have the guts to inquire if he owned one or not.
Actually, this question related to the suit, if asked in a humorous tone, could have eased the situation more and added a little bit of conviviality.
Zelensky maintains he will wear one when the war ends and, if Trump had said, it would be a pleasure to buy him one, the atmosphere could have become so much friendlier.
Unfortunately, these questions were posed deliberately to trivialise another head of state whose country is fighting an aggression.
One wonders, how common Americans are interpreting this sort of bullying behaviour at the White House?
Anyway, Zelensky is in Britain now where the feeling is much cosier.
With cheers outside Number 10, it was evident, Britain has no problems with his clothes.
In International politics, small issues snowball into big ones influencing global image.
Well, it seems for the time being it’s a triumph for the Union Jack.
By the way, Zelensky is also meeting King Charles!
Perhaps the king will add another soothing layer adding: “I say, Mr president, when this ghastly business is over, I will send you my tailors (Gieves & Hawkes)!”
[Towheed Feroze is a former journalist!]
