He wears this red velvet jacket thing, with a belt, over a dress shirt and tie. It's sort of like a short robe. I don't know if I've ever seen one before, but I think this is a smoking jacket.
What the hell is the point? If you're going to relax, take off the tie and unbutton the shirt. I don't get it. If you're going to be in a robe, kick back, put on a t-shirt, and put on a robe.
Anyone know what the purpose of this smoking jacket is?
I think the point is that Nixon *Couldn't* relax, so he keeps the shirt and tie on even in the middle of the night.
sharewell are you asking what's the point of a smoking jacket or what's the point of Nixon wearing one late at night? I think the previous poster answered that one well - RMN couldn't relax. This was commonly discussed - there are pictures of him on the beach in dress shoes. As for smoking jackets, they were more popular when men 'retired' to 'the drawing room' (where one withDREW) for a brandy and a cigar... you might have to put your outerwear back on to speak with guests or conduct affairs, or you might be able to completely end your day... so this was a nifty little in-between.
shareIn addition to what nosnojsirhc said, the belt of the jacket was uneven throughout the film, with one end short and the other almost dragging to the ground, which I think reflected quite well Nixon's discombobulated state of mind and attention span.
share