While on his way to a climate change conference in Milan, Italy, former President Barack Obama impressed many with his stylish and relaxed appearance.
Obama was seen wearing snazzy sunglasses while waving and smiling at fans in Europe’s fashion capital, reports the Daily Mail.
With an unbuttoned collared shirt and the notable lack of a tie, the former president looked at ease.
His “cool” appearance prompted a flurry of comments on social media.
Some were both delighted and amused by Obama’s look.
“He’s stunning,” wrote one fan on the Daily Mail website.
“Such a beautiful man, such a beautiful life, such a beautiful world, cue the butterflies! ;),” quipped another.
“Someone call Vogue,” joked a third person. “He unbuttoned the top collar and wore sunglasses. He’s such a fashion icon. Remember when he wore those Mom jeans like only he could? So fetch. So iconic. He deserves another award.”
Other comments were not as lighthearted.
“He’s never going away,” commented one reader. “His narcissistic needs will haunt our smartphones for years.”
“He may be cool but he was a terrible president,” added a second. “He and his lame policies are part of the reason that Donald Trump won (thank goodness).”
The former president will be presenting a keynote speech about climate change for the “Seeds and Chips — The Global Food Innovation Summit” conference. Later, Obama will participate in a question-and-answer session with former White House chef Sam Kass.
His two-day stay in Italy also includes a meeting with former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, who is now the head of the Italian democratic party.
“The two leaders were close partners and became good friends while in office,” a spokesman said.
Obama will also meet with others from various sectors at a dinner hosted by the Institute for International Political Studies.
A day before he arrived in Milan, Obama captured national attention again for his plea to Congress about the future of health care, Reuters reports.
“As everyone here now knows, this great debate is not settled but continues,” Obama said while making his acceptance speech after receiving the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation’s Profile in Courage Award. “And it is my fervent hope, and the hope of millions that, regardless of party, such courage is still possible. That today’s members of Congress, regardless of party, are willing to look at the facts and speak the truth even when it contradicts party positions.”
Sources: Daily Mail, Reuters / Photo credit: Chuck Kennedy/White House, EPA, AP via Daily Mail
