Just a few days before Donald Trump's inauguration, Joe Biden handed out farewell gifts. On January 4, he presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the US, to a host of individuals who have left their mark on culture, sports, commitment or politics in the country. The 19 lucky recipients included Hillary Clinton, Anna Wintour, Lionel Messi, George Soros, Magic Johnson and Bono.
Ralph Lauren was also a member of the group. At 85, he became the very first designer to receive this award, created in 1963 by John F. Kennedy. From now on, the designer will be able to accessorize his outfits with this imposing medal adorned with a gold star enameled in white and blue. But that's not all: To brighten up his look, Lauren will also have a service ribbon and a miniature medal pendant. Finally, on a more casual, everyday level, he'll be able to wear a badge hanging from the lapel of his jacket.
Lauren had obviously dressed up for the occasion. He wore a gray and black tweed blazer, characterized by its three-button fake buttoning (the top button is not functional, as the buttonhole is in the lapel) and by a quilted breast pocket, found on traditional hunting jackets. It was in this pocket, secured by a flap, that hunters stored their most precious possessions: Bullets and flasks of alcohol.
Biden was no disappointment, either. His outfit of the day was a reminder that pinstripe suits first appeared in England at the end of the 19th century, and were quickly snapped up by London bankers wishing to distinguish themselves from the normals, who wore insignificant plain suits. The combination of a small half-Windsor tie knot and a generous silk tie allowing for pleats and folds (favor unlined models to achieve this result) is still a rich idea for middle-aged men.
While we're on the subject of neck accessories, let's take a look at the official standing next to Lauren. She wore a very surprising one. Scratched or buttoned at the back of the neck like a bib, the necktab in question is an integral part of the ceremonial uniform worn by women in the US Army. It replaces the tie worn by men. Should they consider themselves winners? Not so sure, given the potential result and the difficulty of keeping the two sides of the necktab parallel to the two sides of the collar, as required by regulations.
Translation of an original article published in French on lemonde.fr; the publisher may only be liable for the French version.