Primary colors

In the main photo on her campaign website, gubernatorial candidate Grace Ross is wearing a green turtleneck and colorful jacket. Was she, the Green-Rainbow Party candidate, being cheeky? Or was it a subconscious decision to wrap herself in colors reflecting her environmental and gay-friendly stances?

``It definitely wasn't an accident," says Ross's media coordinator, Colby Peterson . ``Grace has always been a flamboyant dresser."

Indeed, whether the Massachusetts gubernatorial candidates are donning rep ties or pearls, tweeds or pinstripes, voters can learn a lot about them just by looking at their attire.

Christy Mihos , the convenience store magnate and independent candidate who seeks to challenge the political establishment, has fun with his clothes and refuses to wear the political uniform of navy suits, white shirts, and red ties.

Democrat Chris Gabrieli , who has dumped almost $7.5 million of his own money into his campaign, had no trouble dropping some cash at Brooks Brothers to upgrade his wardrobe from the casually dressed world of venture capitalists. He also traded in his outdated, oversize eyeglass frames for less obvious ones. Today, Gabrieli looks much more refined (think the aforementioned navy suits, white shirts, and red ties) than during his 1998 failed congressional bid, when he was apt to wear Bill Cosby-like sweaters.

As for Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey , there is so little of interest to say about her off-the-rack department store slacks, skirts, and clip-on earrings that it is clear she wants Republican voters to focus on what she says, not what she wears. (Katie Couric, take note.)

Attorney General Thomas Reilly, a Democrat seen in many of his political ads wearing a tie but no jacket, is obviously trying to bridge the gap in public perception between his being the state's top lawyer and being a guy who understands what it's like to have to work for a living.

And then there is Deval Patrick , the Democratic candidate who speaks often of his humble beginnings in a Chicago housing project. For the last 15 years, the former corporate attorney and chief US civil rights enforcer has been buying his suits -- and many ties -- off the rack from J & T Custom Tailors , a second-floor walk-up on Pearl Street in Boston. Antonio Natola, the Italian immigrant who has run the business for 40 years, says Patrick prefers conservative three-button suits with side vents and real buttonholes on the sleeves. Natola appreciates that attention to detail; perhaps that's why the clothier has a banner for Patrick on his storefront and a bumper sticker on his car.

Mihos has also been a loyal customer -- at Louis Boston. He's shopped there since 1971. ``I don't buy a lot of clothes, but when you buy something there, it's very traditional and it stays somewhat new for decades." Mihos said that when he launched his gubernatorial bid, advisers said he needed to switch his wardrobe to navy suits, white shirts, and red ties. ``I won't do that. I just will not do that. I'll wear navy suits, but I won't wear a red tie. It's so political." In the end, Mihos says, he dresses in what he likes, tries hard to be presentable, and even irons all his own shirts, because he's particular and because he enjoys it.

Mihos aside, most candidates blanch at discussing what they wear, writing it off as a trivial matter not worthy of public discussion. But any campaign veteran who's witnessed candidates subjecting themselves to having their nose s powdered or hair sprayed before a TV appearance will eventually admit that image is everything.

Take Gabrieli. He ditched his khakis and polo shirts for suits and crimson ties -- he is a Harvard graduate, after all -- an acknowledgment that voters expect their governor to at least look the part. And donning a suit is a way of expressing the gravity of the election. Still, Gabrieli is quick to loosen up when he wants to come across as more personable.

``He really likes to roll up his sleeves and not wear the jacket when he's doing a lot of retail campaigning and town hall meetings," says Gabrieli spokesman Dan Cence.

Ross, a causal dresser at heart, also had to go shopping -- sparingly-- to improve her campaign wardrobe.

``To be honest, we've recycled the same outfit a few times, but it's about function, what the outfit's doing that makes her look responsible, without a ton of cash involved," says Peterson. ``We're running a low-income campaign. We can't afford expensive suits like the other candidates might be able to afford. We're doing what we can with what we have."

As for Healey, who's married to a venture capitalist who has pumped $2 million into her campaign for governor, she may have the money to shop at the priciest boutique in America, but apparently not the time.

``It's the same rotation of suits -- skirts and pants," says Healey spokeswoman Laura Nicoll , adding that Lord & Taylor is a typical destination. ``The lieutenant governor looks for a wardrobe that will sustain long days on the campaign trail." Thus, her heels are never too high, her hair never too fussy, her accessories never in the way.

``I think Kerry Healey adapted the Hillary Clinton practical pantsuit approach, but without the zip Hillary" -- who frequently tied a bright sweater around her neck -- ``managed to give it," says Mary Anne Marsh, a Democratic strategist at the Dewey Square Group who is not working for any candidates in the race but did work on Shannon O'Brien's successful 1998 campaign for treasurer.

``That said, and I think Shannon O'Brien would tell you, the fact that Massachusetts has only elected one woman [on her own] to statewide office [it was O'Brien], I don't think that invites taking a lot of risks."

As for Reilly, he shops at Eastern Clothing of Watertown. Store owner John Airasian says he has been helping Reilly for years pull together suits, shirts, and ties. Reilly wears two- or three-button suits by Joseph Abboud, Tallia, or Hart Schaffner Marx. His ties are silk, also often by Abboud.

``He pretty much leaves it to us," said Airasian, who considers Reilly a friend as well as a customer -- one whom he is voting for.

His opponents in the Democratic primary might chide Reilly for being too hands off in other areas of government, but Reilly's spokesman, David Guarino, says his wardrobe still reflects who he is.

``There's no doubt that Tom Reilly dresses for success, but after four years of `image is everything' in the corner office, Massachusetts is ready for a working - class guy who will roll up his sleeves. Tom's wardrobe is a lot like Tom."

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE CANDIDATES' STYLES OF DRESS?

Cast your vote at www.boston.com/yourlife/fashion .