5 style tips to help Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi slay his next foreign visit

It's sad but true: more often than not we're judged based on our appearances.

At least right off the bat, which is why high-profile politicians try to look the part when they're making state visits or attending international conferences; they're representing a whole country, after all.

Yes, it's all very petty and you're probably thinking: what does a person's sense of style (or lack thereof) have to do with his/her politics? And though you'd be right to think it doesn't matter, you can't deny that looking polished does generate positive press.

People still remember the white Amir Adnan sherwani that former Pakistan president General Pervez Musharraf wore to the Agra summit during his trip to India in 2001. He was praised for his sartorial savvy on both sides of the border.

In the same way, politicians who make bad wardrobe decisions often find that they're the butt of jokes — today, this means being the subject of endless memes. Remember Donald Trump with his taped tie?

So when PM Abbasi jet set off to the Big Apple to attend the United Nations General Assembly, commentators on social media were a little puzzled to see him sporting an open collar and an ill-fitted suit. Bad posture worsened his presence on stage, and people generally thought he didn't put his best foot forward.

Things didn't get any better by the time of his CNN interview, where he was seen wearing a plain white shalwar kameez with a terribly boring black vest.

But hey, it's nothing a few tips from us couldn't fix. We asked an expert what the Prime Minister could have done to avoid the criticism he received on social media.

1) Wear a suit that fits you

A well-tailored suit is half the battle. A slim fit just instantly makes you look more sophisticated; in Abbasi's case, look at how his shoulders don't sit right and make him look even more slouchy.

"He should have opted for a sharp and elegant suit with a tie," admits stylist to the stars Ehtesham Ansari. "At times you have to step out of your comfort zone. It's not easy but you have to understand the requirements of the job. I hope to see him in better fits."

Maybe Nawaz Sharif should take his party member to the upscale tailoring store, Scabal in London where he shops.

2) Pay attention to detail

"Coco Chanel said, 'Before you leave the house look in the mirror and take at least one thing off,'" says Ansari. "But in PM Abbasi's case, he should have added a couple of things, like a Pakistani flag pin on his lapel and/or cufflinks."

We agree. Adding personality to your look is never a bad thing. For the PM, perhaps upgrading his rimless spectacles might help too.

Actually, we'll revise that — there is such a thing as too much personality, case in point, when PM Modi wore a suit monogrammed with his own name.

But we don't expect PM Abbasi to get that extra.

3) Wear a tie!

This one is a no-brainer. Generally, if you're making an appearance at the UN or even speaking at its sidelines, you should wear a tie.

The Prime Minister received a lot of criticism for going tieless. To his credit he did have a good comeback ready, saying "I went to school in California. So in California, they said you only wear a tie on the day you get married or [on the day] you die. So it’s neither of those events, so."

But still, our personal belief is that if you aren't blessed with Justin Trudeau's boyish charm — wear the tie.

4) Watch your body language

This isn't strictly sartorial advice, but honestly, body language matters. If you don't stand up straight in that expensive suit, it'll wear you instead of the other way around.

During his CNN interview, the PM slouched in his seat, which made him look uneasy. It also didn't do his outfit any favours — a shalwar kameez isn't terribly structured to begin with, and slouching just made matters worse.

Being more aware of his posture could help PM Abbasi.

5) When in doubt, wear black

The PM redeemed himself somewhat in this simple black sherwani.

Though we're not a fan of the shiny black buttons on this sherwani, the Prime Minister's look is veering in the right direction.