Zelensky’s dressing in a black shirt was interpreted as an important sign

“I decided to give up and put up with it”

One of the main topics of discussion on social networks over the past couple of days is that Zelensky has changed his style. Instead of the usual pseudo-military sweatshirt, he appeared in a black shirt. MK is looking into what happened to the President of Ukraine.

Since the beginning of his presidential term, Zelensky has become a hero of memes because of his “outfits.” Either red panties, or a T-shirt with the inscription “Come to the dark side,” or women’s sneakers. After the start of the SVO, he chose a military style: khaki T-shirts and jumpers, army-style trousers. A petition from Ukrainians even appeared on the website of the head of state asking Zelensky to return normal business suits. And finally, in his last televised address, he wore a regular black shirt. With two buttons undone, social media users said it gave his look a “relaxed” look. Did you really listen to the petition? Maybe this is a hint at the end of the counterattack or mourning for its unsuccessful outcome?

Telegram channels are already joking that at this rate, the President of Ukraine will arrive in a business suit for the meeting with Joe Biden, scheduled for September 21. But seriously: could this black shirt be some kind of signal to the public?

Political scientist Vladimir Zharikhin told MK what Zelensky’s new look could mean: “At first, this find with a military style against the background of civilian suits looked quite inventive. But after some time, everyone got tired of this image and began to look not like an organic continuation of a person who is busy defending his homeland, but like a stage costume. Therefore, apparently, now its image makers have decided to gradually switch to a more traditional civilian uniform.

However, I think he was a prisoner of style. Judging by the reaction to the shirt, any transition to civilian clothing may turn out to be an unnecessary hint for Zelensky in the current situation: supposedly he has decided to give up, make peace, start negotiations, etc. That is, on the one hand, the same Americans are putting pressure on him, they say, stop acting like mummers, you must look like a statesman. On the other hand, this may be an unnecessary signal for the population of Ukraine.”