Sam Forstag marked his victory in Montana’s midterm election in a look far removed from the usual election-night business-casual outfit: a hickory-striped work shirt, jeans, a large Western belt buckle and weathered brown forestry boots. The 32-year-old Democrat defeated his Republican opponent to win a House seat, addressing supporters in Missoula after a campaign focused on issues including affordable housing, healthcare and money in politics.
Forstag’s style draws on his eight years with the US Forest Service, where he worked as a wildland firefighter, including four years as a smokejumper. The clothing also fits local norms: in Montana, jeans and work shirts are considered business-casual by many, so he did not need to adopt a different look for the campaign.
His outfit also evokes the romantic Western aesthetic associated with Ralph Lauren. Forstag wore his shirt partly unbuttoned over a red thermal henley and tucked it into his jeans, pairing the look with sturdy boots. The result connected his own work history and Montana’s practical dress codes with a style often seen in the designer’s collections.
Sources: GQ.