Anthony Albanese receives light-hearted dressing down for Contiki-tour look during Great Wall of China visit

Anthony Albanese has received a light-hearted dressing down for dressing down on his visit to the Great Wall of China on Wednesday.

Some media commented that he looked more like a Contiki-tour traveller than a Prime Minister, in stark contrast to his fiance Jodie Haydon who received plaudits for her costume choices throughout the six day trip.

She made a fashion nod to her hosts at the Great Wall by wearing a $599 short-sleeve midi-dress with a floral print and mandarin collar by Leo Lin.

“As an Australian-Chinese brand, we are thrilled to see Jodie Haydon wearing Leo Lin in Leo’s home country,” said Laura Good, head of brand at Leo Lin.

Walking alongside her, Mr Albanese opted for a light blue polo shirt and baseball cap of his beloved South Sydney Rabbitohs.

There were also comments on social media deriding his casual attire as unstatesman-like. But others pointed out it would be too stuffy climbing the steps in anything more formal, especially on a hot day.

There were negative comments about him looking even more blokey — wearing a Hawthorn Football Club shirt — when visiting visited a panda conservation centre in Chengdu on Thursday. But what is an Australian PM meant to wear to the zoo?

Mr Albanese, who was similarly chided for wearing an Akubra to Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration mass, will no doubt care more about whether his trip achieved its delicately navigated political aims.

Some commentators pointed out his casual style, akin to many other Australian men in their 60s, and approachable ordinary-bloke persona was part of his political appeal and a factor in his stunning election victory in May.

His predecessor Scott Morrison endured his own fashion critics and was accused of having a “daggy dad” dress sense, when not in a suit. He also never lived down the loud tropical shirt he wore while holidaying in Hawaii during the 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires.

Like Mr Albanese, Mr Morrison was fond of polo shirts and baseball caps, albeit for the Cronulla Sharks.

Another former Liberal PM Tony Abbott had an excuse for his frequent over-exposure in budgie smugglers and lycra — it was an authentic accoutrement of his sporting hobbies.

Former Foreign Minister Julie Bishop was a leader in fashion diplomacy on the international stage. The Perth politician and social queen made a point of supporting Australian designers at home and abroad.

On the male side, few Australian leaders have looked as effortlessly stylish as former US president Barack Obama, who frequently appeared in GQ, Esquire and Vanity Affair.

Paul Keating and Malcolm Turnbull and Paul Keating came closest, with their bespoke suits giving them extra presence when representing their country.