Many members of Congress have to make decisions that can draw negative reaction. But the decision Rep. Jared Polis is under fire for this week has nothing to do with bills or budget committees.

It was Polis’ choice of outfit.

The Boulder Democrat got some unsolicited fashion advice from GQ magazine on Wednesday after catching heat on social media over a CSPAN screengrab that showed him wearing a bow tie with a purple polo shirt on the floor of Congress on Tuesday.

“Fashion is a work in progress for me,” Polis told the Daily Camera.

Unlike a lot of his colleagues in Congress, Polis is not big on suits and ties.

“Back home in Colorado, I always wear a polo or a turtleneck,” Polis said. “It’s not our custom in Boulder to wear ties.”

But the rules of Congress require legislators wear ties, so, when in Washington, Polis has to find some creative ways to showcase his fashion sense.

“It’s a challenge to show creativity, so I don’t morph into everyone else while still respecting the decorum and tradition of Congress,” Polis said. “It’s a fine needle to thread.”

Polis said it’s not the first time he’s tried variations on the polo look.

“I’ve worn a polo with a necktie a couple of times,” he said.

But Polis’ combination of the polo with a bow tie on Tuesday quickly spread through social media.

“I saw Twitter just light up,” Polis said. “Some people liked it, some people didn’t.”

GQ’s makeover offer

One writer at men’s fashion magazine GQ said the look was possibly the “worst Congressional style ever.”

In that same article, writer Dennis Tang offered to make over Polis’ wardrobe.

Polis saw the offer through Twitter, and since GQ had done makeovers for Capitol Hill staffers in other issues, Polis agreed, tweeting out: “Thank you @GQMagazine @GQFashion for the offer to help… I accept and am looking forward to the consultation!!” shortly after the article was published.

“I’m happy to participate and happy to seek their advice,” Polis said. “I do respect their authority as the definitive source on men’s fashion.”

Polis did point out that this is not the first time GQ has had an issue with the fashion sense of someone from Boulder. The magazine in 2011 said Boulder was “a worst-dressed city that looks best naked.”

So Polis said whenever the makeover does happen, he will be careful to make sure GQ doesn’t completely scrub the Boulder flavor from his wardrobe.

“I don’t want to be a clone of everyone else,” Polis said. “I want to certainly do my best to showcase what makes Boulder special. I don’t think Boulder would go for someone who looked like a Wall Street banker representing them in the halls of Congress. I think, as a town, we take pride in our creativity and the fact that we overcome the superficiality of what someone is wearing.”

‘I just want to do Boulder proud’

Polis said that among his colleagues, the outfit actually got some smiles.

“One told me it brightened her day,” Polis said. “Some members told me it was incredible and to stick with it. For others, they were neutral or the jury was still out.”

Polis said Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., and Rep. Krysten Sinema, D-Ariz., are a the top of the fashion food chain in the House of Representatives.

“We’ve certainly got some fashion icons,” he said. “I’m probably at the bottom, but I don’t have any further to fall. I’m looking to edge my way up to fashionability.”

Polis said his outfit on Wednesday got much better reviews on social media.

“I went with a vest, changed up the color scheme,” Polis said. “I’m hoping for solid improvement over time. I’m sure there will be some misfires along the way.

“I just want to do Boulder proud and at the same time command the respect of my colleagues.”

Contact Camera Staff Writer Mitchell Byars at 303-473-1329, byarsm@dailycamera.com or twitter.com/mitchellbyars.