Pezeshkian’s Suit at Inauguration Sparks Social Media Buzz

President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran attended his inauguration ceremony wearing a suit, departing from his usual attire.

This sartorial choice quickly became a topic of discussion on social media and in news outlets, with headlines ranging from "Pezeshkian Finally Took Off His Jacket" to "President's New Style."

Pezeshkian's previous preference for wearing a jacket, even in warm weather and informal settings, had been a subject of public interest and criticism in recent months.

The sudden change to a suit at his inauguration has reignited discussions about the symbolism of political fashion in Iran.

This focus on presidential attire is not new in Iranian politics. During Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presidency, his jacket became a political symbol associated with populism.

Now, with Pezeshkian's election and his typical jacket-wearing habit, the debate has resurfaced.

In Iran, the jacket has come to symbolize a certain type of populism – a political approach where leaders position themselves as champions of the people, often creating an "us versus them" narrative.

Pezeshkian's previous style choices and his engagement in religious ceremonies during Muharram, where he made general comments about people and discussed "us" and "them," have been seen by some as aligning with this populist approach.

The issue of Pezeshkian's jackets was brought into the public spotlight by movie actor Reza Kianian last month.

He posted on his Instagram page: "Please wear a light summer coat instead of that jacket. Jackets are not suitable for summer, and we don't have good memories of 'jackets.' You have to go to New York in a few months.

"What you wear is very important. Please reconsider your attire. You are the honor of a nation. You are no longer just yourself. Let us and the people of the world enjoy seeing your appearance.

"At the United Nations, your photos will be published in all the world's press. Let Iran be portrayed in a graceful way."

However, this post was not well-received by supporters of Masoud Pezeshkian.

They argued that such comments detract from addressing the country's real problems.

The newspaper Iran emphasized that Pezeshkian has been wearing this style of jacket for 20 years, writing: "These comments about the president-elect's clothing are going to extremes these days, while Masoud Pezeshkian's attention is primarily focused on other issues.

"It seems that the most important concern of the president-elect is forming a quality cabinet of efficient people."

Despite this, various articles and news pieces on reformist websites sought to explain and justify the choice of jacket.

Discussions included changing the colour of the jacket and the perceived duality of the extremes' jackets.

Some supporters of the new president believe that critics like Kianian are trying to impose their standards.

Media activist Davoud Heshmati, a supporter of Pezeshkian, wrote: "Defining every aspect, even the type of clothing, for people and expecting others to conform to that framework to be 'beautiful,' 'stylish,' 'modern,' or 'official,' is a form of imposition."

The supporters reject the imposition of clothing standards on the president-elect but have remained silent about the imposition of hijab on Iranian women, particularly since the start of the "Noor Plan" in April.

Heshmati further argued: "Wearing thin jackets for those who prefer sporty and comfortable attire without the need for a full suit is a practical choice. This should not be criticized."

Supporters of Pezeshkian also highlight the functional and cultural aspects of his attire.

They argue that the president's responsibilities are not significantly impacted by his choice to wear a jacket.

They believe the jacket symbolizes authenticity not found in other clothing and argue that pantsuits "are not originally Iranian nor do they have a longstanding connection with our culture."

This issue also surfaced during Ahmadinejad's presidency, with his supporters claiming his attire resisted Western values.

One of the Iranian users on X echoed Reza Kianian's sentiments, suggesting that "people's sensitivity to Pezeshkian's jackets can be attributed to the association with Ahmadinejad's era."

The former president of Iran nicknamed the "man with a spring jacket," remains etched in the collective memory of many Iranians.

His presidency is often remembered for sanctions, economic hardship, and a perceived opposition to rationality.

Though Ahmadinejad later aligned more with global political norms, changed his attire and adjusted some of his beliefs, his jacket continues to symbolize the "eight-year black period."

During his presidency, his nonconformity to diplomatic dress codes was notable.

It was said that despite efforts to persuade him otherwise, Ahmadinejad's choice of clothing was part of a broader strategy to present himself as a relatable, down-to-earth leader.

This approach was further demonstrated by policies such as personally receiving letters from citizens.

A fundamentalist account on X remarked: "Reformers who mocked Ahmadinejad for years now have a candidate who wears an Ahmadinejad jacket, chants about justice, supports the deprived, and speaks in a populist manner."

The issue of supporting the deprived has always been central to populist policies.

Ahmadinejad's promise to bring the oil money to people's tables was a bid to win the favor of the disadvantaged and the poor.

Kamran Dadkhah, a professor of economics, characterizes Ahmadinejad's economic policies as populist.

He said, "Populist policies either genuinely or ostensibly show the lower and lower-middle classes that something positive is being done for them."

Some see similar traits in Pezeshkian's behaviour and rhetoric.

This leads opponents to label his policies as populist, arguing that he is attempting to present himself as a simple, approachable leader, akin to Ahmadinejad, by using symbols like the jacket.

The discourse around Pezeshkian's jacket highlights broader societal and political tensions in Iran.

While some view the focus on his attire as a distraction from more pressing issues, others see it as an important symbol of leadership and representation.

This was not the only comparison between President Masoud Pezeshkian and former Iranian leaders like Ahmadinejad that surfaced on social media.

Supporters of Pezeshkian, however, assert that he bears no resemblance to Ahmadinejad or Raisi.

Heshmati argued, "The spirit of Pezeshkian is not of this kind. He does not see himself as superior to people and does not seek to display superiority even in his attire.

"If we refer to the first decade of the revolution, we see that wearing simple clothes or leaving a shirt untucked was the style that the revolutionaries of the sixties favored.

"Therefore, it is unrealistic to expect Pezeshkian to quickly abandon the values he holds dear and behave differently."

However, Fayaz Zahid, a historian and university professor, commented on X, "Today, I met my dear friend Masoud Pezeshkian.

"Apart from discussing the country's conditions and future strategies, I presented him with my two recent books. He was wearing a nice jacket. It seems he has agreed to add suits to his choices."

Religious figures also weighed in on the jacket debate.