Obama to Wear Union Made Tuxedo to Inauguration

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According to the website Unite Here President-Elect Obama has chosen to wear a union made tuxedo from a local Chicago union factory, Hart Schaffner Marx. The site also states that Mr. Obama also wore one of the factory's suits at the Democratic National Convention.

The NY Times reported in a Dec. 8 article that "Mr. Obama is starting to put his own touches on the day." Source.

Unite Here President Bruce Raynor Stated in the same article: "From his conversations, which include some with Mr. Obama, Mr. Raynor said he expected the inaugural to be “upbeat and optimistic, not opulent or excessive.”

He also told journalists at WWD that “As soon as he got on the phone, he told me he was working on his new tuxedo from Hart Schaffner Marx,” Raynor said. “He said after 15 years, it is time for a new one.” 

According to WWD, "The Chicago-based men’s wear firm, founded in 1883, was one of the first clothing companies to enter into a collective bargaining agreement with a union in 1911. "  Source.

In another bid for ethical practices, the Times reported the campaign is "Trying to curb the influence of money in government, Mr. Obama has banned contributions to his inaugural from lobbyists and corporations and is limiting individual contributions to $50,000."