Fashion: In presidential STYLE

One thing is for sure: Both potential First Couples of the United States are well dressed.

John McCain and Barack Obama both appear to be going for a commanding presence, while at the same time competing to see who can roll up his sleeves on camera more often. Their wives have been the subject of photo spreads in Vogue.

With four months left until Election Day, there is a lot of political posturing to come, and fashion plays a role in establishing personality and authority. With each wrinkled shirt or strand of pearls, you have to wonder: How carefully planned was that?

Barack Obama and John McCain agree on one thing -- the knot in their ties. According to Brad Sherman, general manager of the Minneapolis menswear store Hubert White, both candidates use a four-in-hand knot.

"It's the simplest to tie with a little crook to the dimple. It's not symmetrical and the dimple is off to the side. It has more of a realistic look to it," Sherman said. "It's the only knot we use in the store."

Whatever the outcome of the election, we can all look forward to what the president and First Lady will wear to the inauguration.

The McCains

"The McCains have a very conservative and consistent look, which is consistent with his message," said Constance White, eBay's style director.

He was the subject of a minor fashion controversy last December for his tendency to wear sweaters under his jackets. Robin Givhan of the Washington Post wrote: "John McCain dresses like Mr. Rogers." Of course, that might be a positive association for some voters: Who had a more comforting persona than the cardigan-wearing "Won't You Be My Neighbor" Rogers?

While McCain has shed the extra layer for the summer, his clothes are often too baggy in the torso, too tight around the neck and a smidge rumpled. It could be his attempt to appeal to the everyman who also rarely achieves a perfect fit buying off-the-rack. But ultimately, it might not have the desired effect. "McCain could be a tad more stylish. It would help him come across as more youthful," said White.

That same advice does not hold for Cindy McCain, who never has a hair or thread out of place and usually radiates high, albeit conservative, style. She wears such exclusive high-end American designers as Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera. She wore a pale pink suit on the cover of Newsweek and a perfectly tailored and pressed navy pantsuit on "The View" in April.

"She looks like a Barbie Doll -- always impeccable, so well-coiffed," said White. "She obviously cares a lot about her appearance."

When Barack Obama rolls up his shirt sleeves, he does it so cleanly it's as if they came pressed just that way. "Despite anything Barack might say, he looks like a quintessential metrosexual," White said. "It's part of his appeal to youth. It's consistent with his message."

Obama is a reflection of modern fashion sensibilities. Donatella Versace's spring 2009 menswear line, presented a few weeks ago, was inspired by the "type of man that Obama represents," according to an opportunely timed publicity statement.

Obama had his own wardrobe scandal last fall when he decided to stop wearing the American flag pin -- but not for long.

Michelle Obama knows how to use her wardrobe for diplomacy. When her husband claimed the nomination in St. Paul, his tie was blue. Her sheath dress was purple -- a unifying blend of red and blue -- which she wore along with her signature pearls, but added a wide black belt that looked like it came straight off the set of "Sex and the City: The Movie."

Her more couture pieces come primarily from working with Chicago-based designer Maria Pinto, but she doesn't buy all high-end. On "The View" last month, she wore a black and white floral dress by Donna Ricco that retails for $99, embellished with an oversized flower brooch, a relatively feminine and affordable choice that received widespread media attention. (Note: Nobody was clamoring to find out where to buy Cindy McCain's pantsuit.)

Sara Glassman • 612-673-7177