In Spain, attention to politicians’ appearances has always stood out, but this time the discussion has gone beyond the usual. The catalyst was an unexpected analysis of Santiago Abascal’s image, the Vox party leader, who has recently undergone a noticeable style transformation. For many Spaniards, this is more than a matter of fashion—it’s about how politicians are perceived in different regions of the country, especially in the run-up to elections.
The public appraisal of Abascal’s appearance echoed across the country and immediately sparked a wave of emotions. Fashion expert and sociologist Pedro Mansilla did not stick to standard remarks. Instead, he delivered a detailed breakdown, comparing the politician’s current style to the characters of the cult British series Peaky Blinders. This approach did not go unnoticed: the discussion swiftly spread beyond fashion circles, becoming a point of debate on social networks and television.
An unexpected twist
Mansilla noted that Abascal had abandoned his usual ‘señorito’ image, which emphasized elegance and gestures reminiscent of old Spain. Instead, the Vox leader has started appearing in clothing associated with rural life: heavy jackets, work shirts, and, most notably, the iconic cap, which immediately caught the attention of journalists and viewers.
The expert did not overlook this accessory either, calling it a ‘relative’ of the Oxford caps that gained popularity thanks to the Peaky Blinders series. According to Mansilla, this choice is no coincidence: it emphasizes the politician’s desire to appear closer to ordinary voters, especially in regions where traditional values and a connection to the land still play an important role.
Reaction and comparisons
However, not everyone reacted unequivocally to Abascal’s new style. Mansilla ironically noted that the Vox leader had ‘switched from a horse to a tractor,’ hinting at a shift from an aristocratic image to a more populist one. At the same time, the expert stressed that the politician is willing to try on any image if it helps him win support from voters in regions such as Aragón.
Particular attention was drawn to the comparison with former minister José Luis Ábalos, whose style of dress was often the subject of jokes in the Spanish media. Mansilla admitted that such a turn in Abascal’s image surprised him and even ‘left him baffled.’ For many Vox supporters, such comparisons may seem less than flattering, while for opponents they become grounds for new debates.
Impact on politics
The question of how much appearance influences a political career in Spain has once again come to the fore. Mansilla noted that even small details, like the style of a jacket or the way a cap is worn, can become symbols and shape how a politician is perceived by the public. In Abascal’s case, the expert believes it is an attempt to distance himself from the image of the ‘imperial nostalgist’ and move closer to that of an ordinary worker, which is especially relevant amid growing competition for votes in rural areas.
There was no shortage of humor: the show’s host sarcastically remarked that the new jacket forces the politician to ‘stick out his chest’, as cabaret stars of the last century once did. This comment only fueled interest in the topic and sparked a new wave of internet memes.
Public reaction
Debate on social media remains lively: some support the politician’s efforts to be closer to the people, while others see the change in image as an attempt at manipulation. In any case, the story of the cap and the unexpected comparisons will be discussed in Spanish society for a long time to come, and Abascal himself is unlikely to remain indifferent to such colorful characterizations of his new style.
