The company's back-to-basics strategy has helped win back formerly disillusioned customers who had strayed after the company began introducing trendy lines without much regard for its 34-year-old core business of blue jeans and other simple clothing staples like khakis and cheap shirts.

FORBES: Investment Gurus Dump Banks, Buy Comfy Duds

Being the junior partner in a moderate government had weakened the appeal of Mr Haider's party to its core constituency, disgruntled blue-collar workers and others, such as small farmers and shopkeepers, who feel threatened by modernisation.

ECONOMIST: Austria's collapsing government: Back to square one | The

This is not to say that Austin itself--that is, its urban core area--does not try to trot out its blue, and "green, " trimmings.

FORBES: New Geographer