There's a gender-based double standard going on in politics these days. It's found in many countries but, recently, has been thrown into stark relief in the US.

I'm not talking about what you think I'm talking about. I am not talking about salary. I am not talking about maternity/paternity leave. Nor am I talking about Hillary Clinton's it's-not-fair-they-are-all-obsessed-by-my-trouser-suit-and-don't-care-about-my-opponent's campaign complaint. I am, however, talking about clothes.

Specifically, I'm talking about the fact that Michelle Obama has but to wear an outfit from an obscure designer or website and their fortunes shoot off into the stratosphere (between Jason Wu, Isabel Toledo, Maria Cornejo and J Crew, she's single-handedly publicising the independent American fashion industry). Yet Hartmarx, the parent company of Barack Obama's favourite tailor, Hart Schaffner Marx, has been in Chapter 11 since January – just after the new president showcased their products during his swearing-in.