For college basketball fans, the rivalry between Duke and the University of North Carolina is the most promiment in the league. Fans pay exorbitant prices to watch the two teams face off year after year, but Wednesday night's game, Duke's top prospect Zion Williamson suffered a sneaker malfunction which prompted a knee injury. As Blue Devils fans wallowed in the game's premature setback, one of the courtside attendees grabbed headlines of his own for his custom game-day attire.
While attending last night's game at Cameron Indoor Stadium, Barack Obama sported a custom Rag & Bone bomber jacket with the number 44 embroidered onto the sleeve. In addition to wearing a notably cool New York brand, the president donned black pants, a black sweater atop a grey button-up and Allbirds shoes. As Duke fans observed Obama gracing photographers with his trademark pensive glances, the gravity of Williamson's injury began to fade.
Since exiting the Oval Office, the 44th president has certainly expanded his stylistic radius. Having been photographed in leather jackets, backwards hats, and semi-buttoned up shirts that scream "hot dad," his exit from the White House has allowed him a bit more creative freedom. Last night's particular ensemble was a fit worth flexing.
Marcus Wainwright, Rag & Bone founder and chief brand officer, told GQ that while the 44 was a subtle detail, Obama flawlessly pulled it off. "Not many people could have pulled it off that way. He's got style.”
Although no details have been released regarding how Obama got into contact with the brand, Wainwright confirmed that the jacket was custom made during the president's second term. “I wasn’t expecting him to wear it in public," he explained. "I thought maybe he's wearing it on the weekends or at home. I was hoping that he was wearing it.”
Although surpassing the effortless cool of Obama's "44" is literally impossible, taking a page out of his playbook doesn't have to be. The embroidery-less Rag & Bone jacket is available for purchase here.
