Weatherproof® launchES “style vs. substance” survey

Are Americans Choosing Style Over Substance When Voting for a Candidate?

NEW YORK, NY, August 4 2010 –Weatherproof® has launched a “Style vs. Substance” survey which will measure the influence a politician’s personal style and physical appearance has on the American public. Are Americans more concerned with the amount of hair he has or his amount of experience? The poll, which is now posted on The Huffington Post’s Style section (huffingtonpost.com/style) will also reveal which politician Americans find the most stylish. To participate in the poll, log onto www.huffingtonpost.com/style.

“We want to know if Americans are choosing style over substance when voting for a candidate,” said Freddie Stollmack, president of Weatherproof®. “I believe that political candidates are fast becoming our nation’s premiere celebrities, with their personal style scrutinized and critiqued like a movie star attending an Academy Awards ceremony,” he added. Weatherproof® has become a favorite among American politicians. President Barack Obama was recently photographed wearing a Weatherproof® coat while posing in front of the Great Wall in China.

Said Anya Strzemien, Senior Editor at The Huffington Post. “When I launched The Huffington Post Style section in August 2008, America was in the throes of election fever and politicians (not to mention their spouses) had become our nation’s biggest celebrities. As such, there was an intense amount of interest in what the politicians and their spouses were wearing. Since Obama’s inauguration and the arrival of, shall we say, a hipper culture in Washington, that interest has not died down. I’m curious to see how this fascination with political style influences the way Americans vote when they return to the polls this fall — and in 2012.”

Style has historically played a role in politics; no one will argue that John F. Kennedy’s movie star looks helped him in the 1960 election and politicians today are routinely featured on Vanity Fair’s best dressed list. A photo of young congressman, Aaron Schock, in a red bathing suit and posted on the gossip site TMZ.com (after he was voted “Hottest Freshman” by Huffington Post readers) is further evidence of style playing a big role in today’s politics.

About Weatherproof®

Weatherproof® is a leading value-driven brand in men’s, women’s and children’s apparel. Started in 1990 by Freddie Stollmack and Eliot Peyser of David Peyser Sportswear, the first collection revolutionized the fabric industry in menswear with the introduction of microfiber. From that starting point, the collection evolved into wools, leathers, microsuedes, faux shearlings, and water resistant polyester “ultra-tech” fabrics. In addition to their men’s, women’s and kids collections, the company has twelve licensees including pants, hosiery, hats and gloves, activewear, dress shirts, footwear, bedding, gift items, luggage, slippers and umbrellas.