They call them "Mom Jeans", the high-waisted, loose-fitting denims favoured by women across America. But as Mitt Romney has proved time and again on the campaign trail, they aren't restricted to women. Saturday Night Live coined the term "Mom Jeans" in 2003, reviving the term in 2010, a nod to their prevalence despite constant ridicule. And if there is one person who knows about riding high in the face of adversity it is the American politician, a figure who time and again has favoured denim to send out a message to his fellow countrymen and women. Nothing says "I'm an All-American guy" like the rugged blue of a pair of jeans, and, as these pictures show, male presidents, VPs and office aspirants often reach for a trusty bit of stonewash when they want to brand themselves as a man of the people.

Barack Obama throws out the first pitch of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game on July 14, 2009 at Busch Stadium in St Louis, Missouri. Photograph: Tim Sloan/AFP/Getty Images

A year into his presidency and Barack Obama made the first pitch at Busch Stadium in St Louis, Missouri in a plain windcheater and straight-legged Levis. It is testament to his natural style that Obama makes the Little League Dad look into something passable. Let's just skirt over the trainers, OK? (Photograph: Tim Sloan/AFP/Getty Images)

Jimmy Carter on The Jay Leno Show in 1995. Photograph: Nbc/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank

By 1995, Jimmy Carter was well out of office. So we have to assume that when it came to the trucker hat, red scarf and stonewashed denim, as seen on The Jay Leno show, he really meant it. (Photograph: NBC/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank)

George Bush on vacation at Crawford Ranch in 2007. Photograph: Charles Ommanney/Getty Images

Speaking of sincerity, here's George W Bush in 2007 on vacation at his Crawford ranch in Texas, taking a break from cutting down trees in jeans that have clearly seen better days. Now this is a man who knows the power of fashion lies in the whole outfit. On their own, knee-holes this big say: "I thought New Kids on the Block had the denim thing just right." But the cowboy hat, military T-shirt and hiking boots give off one overriding message: real presidents get sweaty. (Photograph: Charles Ommanney/Getty Images)

Al Gore at a fundraising gala at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville, Tennessee, 2000. Photograph: Mike Nelson/AFP/Getty Images

Ah, double denim. A long-harboured weakness among great men the world over. At a Nashville saloon in 2000, Vice-President Al Gore went all matchy-matchy in what we can only assume was a gesture of solidarity with country music fans across America. Somehow, he even got the thumbs up from Tony Bennett. (Photograph: Mike Nelson/AFP/Getty Images)

Bill Clinton on the campaign trail in 1992. Photograph: Action Press / Rex Features

On the campaign trail in 1992, Bill Clinton donned some massive yellow gloves and lent a hand on a construction site. A man who toils needs a lot of pockets, and nothing adds the common touch quite like jeans and a utility belt. (Photograph: Action Press / Rex Features)

John McCain addressing his constituents aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt. Photograph: Mai/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

Here's John McCain in 2002, addressing his constituents aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt. McCain doesn't just set off his jeans with a white polo shirt and navy-blue cap, he puts his hands in his pockets. This is the denim equivalent of cracking open an beer and catching up on the game. A sartorial masterstroke. How did this man not win the 2008 election? (Photograph: Mai/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image)