Peter van Onselen addresses alleged ABC Insiders hoodie fashion crime
Internet erupts over commentator Peter van Onselen’s unorthodox outfit on an ABC political TV show – as he addresses a deluge of cruel taunts that chicly dub his fashion sense ‘midlife crisis’
- Peter van Onsselen wore a hoodie and jacket on Insiders
- Critics said the political pundit’s look was too casual
- The hoodie promoted the HBO TV series Succession
Television commentator Peter van Onselen has dismissed criticism of his dress sense after appearing on Insiders wearing a hoodie under a jacket.
The political pundit wore a blue hoodie emblazoned with the logo of fictional conglomerate Waystar Royco from the comedy-drama series Succession as he joined the ABC show’s panel on Sunday.
Twitter quickly lit up with comments about the unorthodox pairing, with many armchair fashion critics dismissing the look as inappropriate — one even described Van Onselen as a “fashion victim.”
“At least dress casually on a Sunday morning, but a suit and hoodie is just wrong PVO,” one unimpressed viewer wrote.
‘What’s next? They’re sitting there in their underwear because it’s Sunday morning,” added another.
Commentator Peter van Onselen has criticized his dress sense after appearing on ABC’s Insiders on Sunday wearing a hoodie under a suit jacket. Van Onselen’s hoodie advertised the fictional media conglomerate Waystar Royco from the TV series Succession
And this: “Lots of tweets today about PVO wearing a hoodie under his jacket. Fashion criticism aside… Did everyone miss it as a #Succession reference?’
Van Onselen has now acknowledged the reference to the popular HBO series, which is often seen as an exaggerated version of 92-year-old billionaire Rupert Murdoch’s children vying for control of News Corp.
“The latest episode comes out on Binge today,” Van Onselen told Daily Mail Australia. “I’m looking forward to curling up on the couch and watching it.
When asked if he would wear the hoodie for the occasion, the 47-year-old said, “No, it’s in the wash.”
These comments are unlikely to satisfy the more outraged members of the Twittersphere who bombarded the platform with their thoughts:
‘Really PVO??? A hoodie and a jacket? Do you appear on #insiders or do you go for a run?’
“And he calls himself a professional?”
“Some people can make the hoodie-under-a-jacket look work. Unfortunately, PVO is not included.’
A smaller group was more interested in where Van Onselen had found his woolly top: ‘Why is PVO wearing a Succession hoodie on #insiders, but also: where do I get it?’
Van Onselen announced last month that he would be leaving the Ten Network, where he was political editor and co-host of The Project for four years.
In those positions, Van Onselen wore a suit and tie when he was camera, as well as his signature facial stubble.
Twitter users were quick to compare Van Onselen’s attire on Insiders to his more corporate approach to his previous roles.
“You can’t hold on to your sense of superiority if you can’t shave and you’re wearing a suit jacket over a hoodie,” one person wrote.
Some seemed concerned for Van Onselen’s well-being. ‘PVO wears a blazer and a hoodie at the same time on Insiders. Is he doing okay??’ read a message.
Another said, “Midlife crisis is coming.”
Others felt viewers should focus on what the panelists were saying rather than analyzing their wardrobes.
“What’s the fuss about PVO hoodie?” wrote a defender. ‘Like most Australian men on a Sunday. Focus on women’s inequality and poverty, you Twitter dopes.’
“Personally, I don’t give a damn about PVO wearing a hoodie. I must be outnumbered,’ said another.
A smaller group was more interested in where Van Onselen had found his woolly top: ‘Why is PVO wearing a Succession hoodie on #insiders, but also: where do I get it?’
Van Onselen is a professor of political science at the University of Western Australia and also writes a column for The Australian newspaper, which is published by News Corp.
His appearance on Insiders came two days after Mr Murdoch’s son, Lachlan, dropped a defamation suit against Crikey’s news website.
News Corp recently settled another lawsuit with US polling agency Dominion alleging that Fox News made false claims that its machines were used to rig the 2020 presidential election, for $1.2 billion.
As a co-host of The Project and Network Ten’s political editor, van Onselen wore a suit and tie when on camera, as well as his signature facial stubble.