The shoes you wear are an important insight into who you are as a person. Perhaps this is why U.S. Presidents pay special attention to their footwear, not only to official gatherings but to private parties.Over the years, Presidents have been known to have favorite sare often custom-madeand cost a pretty penny. This type of investment in footwear has remained and continues to remain characteristic of U.S. Presidents’ lifestyles.
Footwear is more important for Presidents than you may think
Footwear is important for Presidents for a range of reasons. As head of state, they are required to travel extensively, and oftentimes, they are seen walking across the giant grounds of the White House or public events not just at home but also overseas.
Acomfortable shoe allows a President to walk confidently and assert due authority,personality traits that are crucial in matters of national and international diplomacy. Presidents also spend a lot of time in cars and jets, driving and flying to places on urgent business. If they don’t invest in a good shoe that would last them hours or even over a day if needed, they would not have a comfortable ride and needless to say, they would not be in the right headspace to conduct important business and meetings.
U.S. Presidents have also historically been older in age, which further highlights the importance of having a comfortable shoe to wear. Any kind of trip or a slight miscalculation while taking steps could result in a grave medical issue that would not only be a cause for national concern for governing reasons, but it could also cause irreparable damage to the President’s health. This, of course, is applicable to all seniors and not just Presidents. You can find out more about the importance of having the right footwear for seniors here.
Good footwear also allows Presidents to stay in shape. They can walk comfortably on giant grounds or jog for hours without feeling like their feet may be cramping. There is also a sizable link betweenexercise and mental health, which means that if Presidents are taking time out to jog or walk for leisure, they are more likely to be in the right headspace to govern the nation and make important policy decisions.
In this blog, we’re going to talk about a few well-known Presidents and their favorite shoes that they’ve worn over the years.
- Ronald Reagan
Ronald Raegan was the 40th President of the United States and an icon in areas of culture and politics. He spent a lot of time picking out the perfect shoe for himself to really paint a picture about the kind of leader he was. And there is no doubt that he had an unbelievable impact on people all over the U.S., including those who had been uninterested in politics before. He knew this, and with his shoe choice, he told a story.
Reagan’sfavorite shoe was the black Oxford-style shoe that he wore on a number of occasions, including his inauguration ceremony. This shoe was jet black, and it was made from stylish quality leather that had stacked heels and a striking blue sole that anyone could see from a distance.
- George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush was the 41st President of the United States, and boy, did he make a statement with his shoes. In private gatherings with friends and family, the man was often seen sportingunique cowboy boots. The color and design were different each time, and they truly helped him express his own individuality in a job that required him to be so incredibly serious and precise allthe time. His shoes allowed him to be goofy and to share a little bit of that goofiness with the general public.
Bush also tried his best to let his playfulness sneak out without breaking any rules in official settings. He would often be seen wearing a pair of colorful and looney socks under a no-nonsense black shoe.
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Barack Obama
As the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama was the embodiment of a cultural reset in more ways than one. Not only was he the first black President of the U.S., but he was also seen as a guy most people could relate to due to his approachability and significant pop culture and media presence.
Obama also chose to make a statement with hisshoes. When he was hanging out with his friends and family, he would be seen wearing the latest and most in-demand sneakers. He also wore sneakers with suits to semi-official gatherings. On official calls, Obama would stick with black lace-up shoes that were sleek, shiny, and pointed at the end. It gave him an edge and made him look sharp at the same time.
- Donald Trump
Donald Trump was the 45th commander in chief of the United States. A lot can be inferred from the shoes he chose to wear. Trump exclusively worecustom made Italian shoes, with special measurements that he sent all the way to Italy. The choice to do just that tells us a lot about his personality, particularly the aura of distinctiveness he portrayed, and higher-end quality he expects as a result of it.
- Joe Biden
Joe Biden is the current President of the United States, and his most worn shoe in office so far is incredibly similar to what Obama used to wear -sleek, lace-up shoes that depict a no-nonsense attitude.
When he was still running for office, though, Biden was hardly seen in fancy shoes. At the time, his go-to shoe was a pair of comfortable loafers. That shift in itself tells us a lot about the changes Presidents need to make to their personal lifestyles in order to sell an official image.
Final thoughts
U.S. Presidents have always used shoes as a symbol for expression and brand identity, whether in subtle tones or more overtones. Of course, these shoes always required a ton of upkeep and maintenance to keep them in good shape. You can check out shoe care tips for your own shoeshere. The bottom line is that shoes have been one of the main mediums used by U.S. Presidents of the past tell their personal stories -- and that continues to remain true today.
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