Paetongtarn joins female world leaders under fire from the fashion police

Since assuming the top job last August, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has faced tough scrutiny from not only political critics but also the fashion police.

While pundits question the 38-year-old political novice’s ability to run a government, style experts have denounced her embarrassing “fashion faux pas”, especially while representing Thailand overseas.

Critics have called Paetongtarn's outfits “funny-looking”, pointing to peculiar designs and strange garment combinations. Some have rebuked her for wearing oversized jackets or trousers at formal functions.

Even Government House officials have joined the criticism, according to media reports.

The prime minister recently drew flak for wearing heavily patterned loose pants and pointed-toe shoes to work – something conservative bureaucrats called “inappropriate”.

However, Paetongtarn’s fans have defended her fashion style, saying she favours simplicity over formality.

They also argue that people should focus on her work and performance, not on what she wears.

Early positive reviews

Shortly after Paetongtarn became Thailand’s 31st prime minister in mid-August, foreign media outlets such as the South China Morning Post (SCMP) and VnExpress offered positive reviews of her dress style.

“Paetongtarn’s style has always leaned towards the more conservative and classic side. Despite trends like cropped tops and figure-hugging dresses, [she] has always maintained an elegant and demure look.

Still, she’s managed to fuse her preference for designer brands with an image that’s more understated and suited to a public servant,” wrote Hong Kong-based lifestyle journalist Gloria Fung in the SCMP.

Vietnam’s VnExpress said: “Paetongtarn has a taste for sophisticated styles and is frequently spotted in outfits, bags, and shoes from top fashion brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Miu Miu, Hermes, Gucci, and Celine.”

It added that she also likes to make bold fashion statements, such as wearing an asymmetrical coat to a meeting.

‘Improper’ fashion choice

However, the Thai fashion police were less kind towards the country’s second female prime minister, who was appointed leader of the ruling Pheu Thai Party in October 2023 at 37.

Kiccha Buranond, a Thai-born fashion guru who now lives in the US, criticised Paetongtarn’s dress sense during her trip to Peru in November to attend the 31st summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) bloc.

He slammed the Thai leader’s dress as she emerged from her aircraft in Lima as a fashion faux pas and inappropriate for the occasion.

PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra arrives in Lima, Peru.

Kiccha likened Paetongtarn’s arrival in Peru to a foreign tourist wearing shorts and a T-shirt to visit Bangkok’s revered Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

“I was disappointed with the dress she wore when descending from the plane. She should have offered more respect to the host country,” he wrote on Facebook.

Moccasins and pants with a frayed hem is an improper outfit choice for a leader at a red-carpet reception, he added.

Silpakorn University lecturer Sibordee Nopprasert, who researches leaders’ attire, urged Paetongtarn to find a balance between her image as a fashionista and her duty to represent Thailand on the international stage.

“Regardless of how fashionable you are, you must not look out of place,” he said. “As the country’s leader, the image you present is important. And what you wear is more than just clothes.”

‘Unbearable and embarrassing’

Former senator and media guru Somkiat Onwimon said he was “shocked” by the way Paetongtarn was dressed as she disembarked a Royal Thai Air Force plane to be greeted by a Malaysian guard of honour at the start of her official visit to Thailand’s southern neighbour in December.

“It’s really unbearable and so embarrassing,” said Somkiat, who is also a staunch critic of Paetongtarn’s father, ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

The Thai leader was wearing a short-sleeve collarless jacket, pants, and open-top shoes as she stepped off the plane and onto the red carpet beside her husband, Pitaka Suksawat, who holds no government position.

Thai PM arrives in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Somkiat expressed dismay at the scene, claiming Paetongtarn had violated protocol for a state visit.

Former Democrat Party MP Rachada Dhnadirek also criticised Paetongtarn for wearing “distressed” pants during her Peru trip to attend the APEC summit.

“Why did she dress like that? Pants with frayed hems too! There are so many beautiful outfits she could have chosen to look like an elegant leader,” she commented on Facebook.

Paetongtarn’s Facebook fan page, “Ing Shinawatra Forever”, rebuffed the criticism, saying that the PM wore the pants to promote equality among the sexes and fashion with simplicity.

“At international forums, the focus should be on national interest and negotiations on trade and investment,” the post said.

Former Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat agreed that fashion choice should not be among the key performance indicators for a prime minister. For him, the KPIs for a leader should be vision, work attitude, and their ability to prioritise.

Challenges for female leaders

Fashion designers point to the challenges female politicians face when it comes to their choice of clothes.

Michael Kors, who designed dresses for US Vice President Kamala Harris, said that women in political office tend to attract far more public scrutiny of their fashion choices than their male colleagues.

“When I think of male politicians you notice the person, not what they’re wearing – though hopefully it’s impeccable," the award-winning American designer told Harper's Bazaar last September.

“It’s very difficult for women in political office to find a balance, especially if you love fashion. If you love it too much, they will say something and if you don’t love it enough, they will say something,” Kors said. “My experience with women in the public eye is that they know themselves and they know their brand.”

Dressed in style

While many international female leaders are criticised for their fashion choices, others have won praise from experts for their attire in office.

These include former UK prime minister Margaret Thatcher, New Zealand’s ex-premier Jacinda Ardern, former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, Kamala Harris, and former Finnish PM Sanna Marin.

“Thatcher's tailored skirt suits exuded a much-needed air of determination and authority, establishing a sense of power in every room she entered,” said Veranda.com.

“At the same time, [Thatcher] did not shy away from displaying her love of feminine and glamorous details in her dress. She often softened her looks with a cherished string of pearls or a pussycat bow blouse peeking from underneath her jacket.”

The UK-based Woman & Home online magazine said in an October 18 article that Ardern became renowned for her style and “a role model for working mums and busy women who wanted to look good and still be taken seriously.”

Meanwhile, Clinton had made the pantsuit her signature look, it added. “Over the years, she's sported an array of colourful and well-tailored suits.”

The magazine said Harris had mastered the art of powerful dressing. “Her go-to uniform sees her merging structured blazers and matching trousers or jeans.”

As for the Finnish ex-PM, Woman & Home said: “While professional and accomplished, Sanna also never shied away from her glamorous style, loving to showcase bold lip and statement accessories.”

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