In the last three days alone, I've read half a dozen articles about politician's wives' or women politicians' sense of style. Why do we scrutinize Michelle
Obama and Nancy
Pelosi and comment on, say, their legs or their beautiful pearls more than their political views, but never talk about Bush's tie or
Obama's shoes?
Style mavens know that first--and second--impressions count. A First Lady--and lady politicians--will always come under scrutiny from the fashion press. That's the way it goes. With campaign season in full swing, we pick apart every hemline, every string of pearls, every inch of fabric, looking for clues to the woman behind the fashion.
"Everyone knows that people respond to the way you look when you run for office,"
André Leon Talley, an editor-at-large for Vogue told the International Herald Tribune. "A black Camelot moment is the right moment for the
Obamas," he added. "And so the
faux pearls, the A-line dresses, the Jackie flip are obviously all part of how her image strategy has evolved."
An article in the Boston
Hearld entitled "Hail to the Chic: Cindy or Michelle?" says that Michelle
Obama and Cindy McCain exude a confidence and flair not seen in national politics for a long time.
“They’re total
fashionistas,” said Susan Mullins, president of
BackBay-based image consulting firm Susan Style. She praised both women for dressing stylishly, yet age-appropriately. Fashion criticisms of the two women are minor, said Mullins, who wishes both women were less TV camera-concerned about wearing prints. And while both love pearls, Mullins wishes
Obama would “spice it up a bit.”
“I love her Wilma pearls,” she said, referencing her
oversized ones reminiscent of “The Flintstones” character. “But my suggestion is doubling them up.”
Ginger Burr of Total Image Consultants in Lynn agreed about
Obama’s conservative jewelry choices. “Michelle has the opportunity to have a little more fun, be a little more adventurous,” she said.
Burr said
Obama’s bolder belt statements - “they’re not wimpy, they definitely have substance”--make her look comfortable in what she’s wearing.
“It makes her approachable,” she said.
Seems when it comes to politics, clothes--and pearls--really do make the (
wo)man.
In the last three days alone, I've read half a dozen articles about politician's wives' or women politicians' sense of style. Why do we scrutinize Michelle Obama and Nancy Pelosi and comment on, say, their legs or their beautiful pearls more than their political views, but never talk about Bush's tie or Obama's shoes?
It's the New Year! You know what that means? The holidays are over and you can start buying presents for you! But, hold your horses...before you splurge on a new cashmere sweater, Joe's jeans or pearl necklace, you must first organize your closet. After all, how do you know what you need when you can't see what you have?
Jeweler. For the conservative career gal, small, diamond or pearl-studded hoops are the way to go. For the glamour gal--think J.Lo--big, dramatic hoops are in style. Two I like:
Think you have to spend big bucks at the Macy's counter to get quality makeup? Not necessarily. Foundation? Sure, spend the cash. You need to match your skin tone, and you just can't do it with the supermarket brands. Some lotions are worth the dough, too, especially if you have problem skin. But eyeliner? My sources tell me that most eye pencils, no matter what the brand, are manufactured at the same plant in Germany. Whether this is true or not I'm not sure, but I do know my 99 cent Wet & Wild eyeliner is every bit as good as my $12.50 Clinique pencil. So pick up a few eyeliners at the grocery store for a few dollars, and put the rest into your Creme de la Mer savings plan.
