Tan Suit Brigade: Stars Honor Obama's Style

Comedians Stephen Colbert and David Letterman playfully paid homage to a memorable fashion moment at the June 18 dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. Both stars arrived dressed in tan suits, directly referencing former President Barack Obama's famously debated tan suit from a White House press conference in August 2014.

Obama himself acknowledged and approved of the sartorial tribute. "I love that tan suit," he commented, as Obama Foundation Board Chairman Martin Nesbitt, also clad in tan, took the stage. Nesbitt explained the inspiration, stating, "It was inspired by a very good friend of mine, who made tan suits famous." The lighthearted moment underscored the enduring cultural impact of the former president's style choices.

The tan suit incident from 2014 had previously drawn criticism from some Republicans, who viewed it as a sign of a "lack of seriousness." Colbert himself had humorously addressed the controversy on "The Daily Show" in a 2019 segment. For this event, Nesbitt and Colbert paired their tan suits with striped ties, while Letterman opted for a more casual ensemble with a taupe blazer. Other notable figures, including Representative Bill Foster and former NBA player Isiah Thomas, also participated in the tan suit trend.