The T-shirt is being auctioned to raise funds for children's charity KidsCan. Photo: Supplied/ Beef and Lamb NZ
The infamous over-the-suit T-shirt worn by the prime minister at a Parliament barbecue has gone on sale to raise funds for children living in poverty, in a TradeMe auction.
The black National Lamb Day T-shirt shirt raised eyebrows earlier this week when Christopher Luxon posted a video of himself wearing it pulled on over a dark blue suit with shirt collars sticking up.
The video was spotted and called out in a tweet by Canadian fashion writer Derek Guy, known as 'the menswear guy'.
More than 1.5 million people saw the critique, with replies varying from support for the PM's fashion flare - "Bbq sauce protection" and "it's kinda cool looking", to revulsion, and various claims Luxon should go before a court for the fashion crime.
are you wearing a t-shirt over a suit jacket?? https://t.co/8xumZmWST2
— derek guy (@dieworkwear) February 11, 2025
After which, Luxon posted a tongue in cheek reboot T-shirt-over-suit video - talking candidly about his reflections on the "scandal" - this time wearing a white T-shirt printed with the phrase: "Economic growth - more money in your back pocket".
Luxon said he was making no apologies for the ensemble, but also admitted to "kinda agreeing" with those who said it was a fashion crime.
Guy came back to the party firing, with: "Is that a shift dress over a suit jacket?", and "Prime Minister of New Zealand looking like the fifth member of Dem Franchize Boyz".
is that a shift dress over a suit jacket?? https://t.co/t2Onmju6ac
— derek guy (@dieworkwear) February 14, 2025
Now, the original Lamb Day T-shirt, signed by Luxon, is being sold off by Beef and Lamb NZ to raise funds for KidsCan - a charity that helps provide food, clothes and basic necessities for Kiwi children living in poverty:
"Compared to everything from Friends' Joey Tribbiani to high-fashion runway looks, this one-of-a-kind piece is now up for auction ... A unique chance to own a piece of political fashion history while supporting a good cause," the auction listing reads.
National Lamb Day committee member and Ag Proud chairman Jo Pemberton said the publicity from the PM had been "fantastic" for raising the profile of National Lamb Day: "Fashion and farming don't often collide, but you take your wins when you can. We hope this will raise a little smile and a lot of money for a great cause."
By mid-afternoon Saturday, the auction had reached $600.
Interestingly, Luxon was not the only international politician to be dragged by Guy for his fashion choices - with the Canadian also drubbing the new US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth for standing out by wearing a blue suit in a formal photo of black-suit wearing international representatives at his first visit to NATO headquarters in Brussels.
historically, this color was only worn in chocolate factories https://t.co/Ex5nZk5pzx pic.twitter.com/6noU25g2mA
— derek guy (@dieworkwear) February 14, 2025
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