Suited for power: Barack Obama v John McCain

Two-buttoned suit jacket? Check. Starched white dress shirt? Check. Colgate smile? Check. This outfit epitomises Obama's super-slim, super-chic, classic style Photograph: LM Otero/AP

Obama steps out on Earth Day at Iowa University, his smooth and easy style complemented by a tailored shirt Photograph: Scott Morgan/Getty

He's graced as many magazine covers as top supermodels, even making it onto the front of Men's Vogue. And it's unsurprising - Obama's style is unrelentingly sharp. This tailored charcoal and steel combo is once again spot on Photograph: Rogelio V Solis/AP

Abandoning his customary slim-cut tailoring, Obama wraps up on primary day in Illinois with an oversized, single-breasted coat, accompanied by his wife Michelle and daughter Malia Photograph: Scott Stewart/AP

A united front: Barack and Michelle Obama colour coordinate at the South Carolina primary night rally Photograph: Jason Reed/Reuters

Leaving The Late Show with David Letterman, Obama replaces his trademark cherry- or crimson-coloured tie for a striking, glass blue version Photograph: Brad Barket/Getty

Off-duty Obama swaps his sharp silhouette for sludge-coloured trousers and an oversized shirt at Iowa's state fair. He looks every bit the relaxed family man - despite the grandad shirt aging him decades Photograph: M Spencer Green/AP

He's the Republican party's presidential candidate, so what made John McCain accessorise his starched suit with a tomato red cap? This outfit is more fit for a baseball match than a visit to an airbase in Baghdad (minus the bullet-proof vest, of course) Photograph: HO/Reuters

Flattering broad shoulders, military buttons and a cool, neutral palette shave years off McCain's seven decades Photograph: Roy Dabner/EPA

Spot on: the McCains dress every inch the Republican leading couple with this ink-coloured boxy suit and in-vogue violet two-piece. The only colour lacking is in McCain's pasty, drained-looking complexion Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters

Is that presidential candidate John McCain, or a heckler in the crowd? McCain dresses a little too dowdily, even for a Michigan town hall meeting. Forget the McCain blogette, someone tell Meghan her father needs help in the style department. And pronto Photograph: Bill Pugliano/Getty

A crumpled, ill-matched suit, ankle-flapping trousers and crease ripples. McCain's style has seen better days than this campaign event in South Carolina. Photograph: Charles Dharapak/AP

A well-fitting tux and splash of boot polish. McCain scrubs up well for the 29th Kennedy Center honours dinner with his wife, Cindy. Photograph: Greg Mathieson/Rex Features

McCain injects his trademark boxy silhouette suit with a brash splash of colour as he visits Gordon Brown in London. Somehow the canary yellow, silvery grey and blue combo works Photograph: Luke MacGregor/Reuters