{"id":142407,"date":"2013-11-11T12:00:30","date_gmt":"2013-11-11T17:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.prosebeforehos.com\/?p=142407"},"modified":"2014-04-25T10:07:18","modified_gmt":"2014-04-25T14:07:18","slug":"7-ridiculously-stylish-dictators","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.prosebeforehos.com\/savannah\/11\/11\/7-ridiculously-stylish-dictators\/","title":{"rendered":"The 7 Most Ridiculously Stylish Dictators"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Dictator<\/p>\n

So, OK. They’re oppressive despots. Their records on human rights abuses are absolutely atrocious. They’ve led with an iron and unquestionable fist and many have died prematurely because of it. All of that is readily understood. But can we step back from the horrors of authoritarian rule for a minute and assess these dictators’ sartorial swagger? Well, surely. <\/p>\n

Muammar Gaddafi<\/h2>\n

\"Dictator<\/p>\n

Successfully blending Bono’s penchant for ocular accessories and Elton John’s eye for color, Libya’s own Muammar Gaddafi is not one to shy away from making a bold fashion statement, no matter how humdrum the occasion. Donning the occasional beret or black mesh robe when surrounded by style simpletons like Nicolas Sarkozy and Barack Obama, the late leader’s backwards approach to democracy is balanced by his forward-thinking choice in apparel. Perhaps it was this clothing-based confidence that led Muammar to suggest that the United Nations be moved to Libya in 2009<\/a>. What a dreamer.<\/p>\n

\"Dictator<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Dictator<\/p>\n

Robert Mugabe<\/h2>\n

\"Dictator<\/p>\n

Robert Mugabe quite literally has a style worth stealing. In 2009, the Zimbabwean dictator had his entire multi-million dollar wardrobe stolen by a covetous cabal of Mugabe detractors. With pattern choices so outlandish that even Pucci would blush, it’s easy to see why Mugabe’s apparel was thieved. While Zimbabwe is mired in an economic quagmire and insane degrees of inflation, Mugabe’s style remains inimitable and unscathed. Besides, in spite of Kanye’s shameless self-promotion, we’re not sure if anyone but Ro-Mu has an ego large enough to successfully sport a shirt with his face ironed on to it.<\/p>\n

\"Dictator<\/p>\n

\"Dictator<\/p>\n

\"Dictator<\/p>\n

\"Dictator<\/p>\n

Vladimir Putin<\/h2>\n

\"Dictator<\/p>\n

We can hear you crying from a mile away: Vladdy is a democratically-elected president; he is no dictator. The multiple reports of “carousel voters” and election rigging are just pathetic attempts of Putin haters (hey-o, Hill Dawg<\/a>) to bring down Vladimir’s “Blueberry Hill”-singin’ brawn. And I mean, we get the concern. From flying with migratory birds to discovering two ancient Greek urns in the treacherous depths of the Black Sea, Vlad’s flawless style is as functional as it is aesthetically pleasing. A common misstep among fashion noobs, Vlad realizes that your apparel should be as dynamic as your pastimes; it shouldn’t define them. Keep on keepin’ on, Vlad.<\/p>\n

\"Dictator<\/p>\n

\"Dictator<\/p>\n

\"Dictator<\/p>\n

\"Dictator<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Mswati III<\/h2>\n

\"Dictator<\/p>\n

You think you don’t have time to dress well? Try being the world’s last absolute monarch. This Swaziland king has the onerous task of appointing the nation’s prime minister, cabinet members and judges and still<\/em> finds the time to swag out. While the African despot’s views on rape, sex and women send chills down our spines, his style elicits nothing short of admiration. As comfortable in pinstripe as he is in the plucked feathers of an exotic bird, Mswati is a fashion icon more versatile than all-wheel drive. Kudos to you, Mswati.<\/p>\n

\"Dictator<\/p>\n

\"Dictator<\/p>\n

\"Dictator<\/p>\n

Kaiser Wilhelm II<\/h2>\n

\"Dictator<\/p>\n

Attention all under-employed 30-somethings of Williamsburg: Kaiser Wilhelm II wore your quirky mustache better than you, and he actually had a reason. He was the effing king of Prussia. While many associate the phrases “narcissist”, “bipolar” and “instigator of World War One” with the dearly departed kaiser, his tastes in grooming and regal accoutrements were more worthy of awe than they were scorn. So devout in his fashion faith, before devouring his plum pudding the Prussian royal would dress as a British admiral. <\/p>\n

\"Dictator<\/p>\n

\"Dictator<\/p>\n

\"Dictator<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Mobutu Sese Seko<\/h2>\n

\"Dictator<\/p>\n

The deceased dictator of Zaire truly mastered the art of “animal print in moderation”. While so many err in overly festooning themselves in leopard, zebra or snakeskin, Mobutu Sese Seko successfully embraced the exotic in an accessory form. The venti Starbucks cup to Mary Kate Olsen’s waif-like frame, Sese Seko’s animal print hat served as the African dictator’s right hand man when even his military wouldn’t protect his own head<\/a>. And hey, anyone who can make Richard Nixon look remotely cool is worthy of study. <\/p>\n

\"Dictator<\/p>\n

\"Dictator<\/p>\n

\"Dictator<\/p>\n

\"Dictator<\/p>\n

Kim Jong-Il<\/h2>\n

\"Dictator<\/p>\n

No list of fashionable dictators could be complete without the inclusion of Kim Jong-Il. Equal parts androgynous, industrial and minimal, the North Korean ruler’s day looks aren’t that dissimilar to your average Helmut Lang spread<\/a>. Utilizing the “less is more” approach to his signature style of welfare and fashion, the luxe legacy of the late dictator’s oversized shades, love of blacks and neutrals and perennially nonplussed expressions lives on in socialites traipsing about the streets of New York’s Upper East Side.<\/p>\n

\"Dictator<\/p>\n

\"Dictator<\/p>\n

\"Dictator<\/p>\n

\"Dictator<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

So, OK. They’re oppressive despots. Their records on human rights abuses are absolutely atrocious. They’ve led with an iron and unquestionable fist and many have died prematurely because of it. All of that is readily understood. But can we step back from the horrors of authoritarian rule for a minute and assess these dictators’ sartorial […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":553,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[220],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe 7 Most Ridiculously Stylish Dictators<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"From Kaiser Wilhelm II to Muammar Gaddafi, these dictators prove that you can mercilessly oppress without sacrificing your swag.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.prosebeforehos.com\/savannah\/11\/11\/7-ridiculously-stylish-dictators\/\" \/>\n<link rel=\"next\" href=\"https:\/\/www.prosebeforehos.com\/savannah\/11\/11\/7-ridiculously-stylish-dictators\/2\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta 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