World View
Global Dispatches From ABC News Reporters
ABC News staff around the world report on what makes the news and what doesn't.
RECENT POSTS
MONTHLY ARCHIVES
« Previous | Main | Next »
Where Women in Politics Don't Dress to Impress
September 04, 2008 10:43 AM
Eliza Browning, ABC News, London
London has easily claimed status as one of the fashion capitals of the world, ranking up there with the style epicenters of Paris, New York and Milan.
Some of today’s hottest designers -- Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood -- hail from the British Isles. And this week, supermodels grace the catwalks during London’s fashion week, a biannual event that rivals next week’s show across the pond in New York.
But there’s one realm of couture in which Brits just aren’t keeping up with Americans -- the style of women in politics.
Michelle Obama graced the stage of the Democratic Convention last week in a turquoise dress designed by Maria Pinto, an up-and-coming designer from the Obama’s hometown of Chicago. And in the Twin Cities this week, even Cindy McCain’s magenta-colored cast showcased her proclivity toward bright, vibrant colors.
Compare this to the demure and, dare I say, staid styles of Margaret Thatcher, Sarah Brown and Camilla Parker Bowles. With the exception of Princess Diana, the Brits are not known for their fashion-forward forays.
And this has left some commentators in Britain frustrated. In the Telegraph this week, columnist Sarah Mower wonders why “dowdy” female politicians ignore fashion.
But wait, aren’t we beyond the days of focusing on female fashion choices? Does it really matter what pantsuit Hillary Clinton is wearing or how Sarah Palin wears her hair?
Aren’t we enlightened enough to look beyond A-lines, emeralds and taffetas, to policies, promises and plans?
The sad truth is that we love to look at fashion. Ever since Jackie Kennedy bowled us over with her savvy style, we -- regardless of gender, race, country or party -- will continue to ogle. It unites us. And although Mitt Romney’s suits, Biden’s “comb-over” and John Edwards' haircut inspired endless discussion, women trump men, hands-down, in this realm.
But let’s be clear: Fashion is not just something to distract us from the meatier issues of politics. It’s increasingly used as a tool in the political arena.
Next week, the two darlings of New York fashion, Vogue editor Anna Wintour and “Sex and the City” Star Sarah Jessica Parker, will co-host an Obama fundraiser at $10,000 a ticket for guests to preview designs by such designers as Marc Jacobs, Diane von Furstenberg and Zac Posen.
But things are a bit more reserved on this side of the pond. Mower says the ignorance of fashion’s potential has actually “worsened.” She says British politicians, even though many of them are a decade younger than Hillary Clinton, “willfully look like Harman, Blears et al in their 40s and 50s.”
Think pleats, wool and turtlenecks.
Mower argues these icons actually cast a negative light on the more stylish British women. “Why do they look so much worse than most of us women of the same generation?”
But blame can’t fall on their shoulders alone. When Cherie Blair, the wife of former Prime Minister Tony Blair, tried to step outside the box and wear a sari to a state dinner, she was mocked for donning “ethnic clothing.”
Still, things may be changing.
Sarah Brown, the wife of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, will host a reception Sept. 15 to prepare for next year’s fashion week -- its 25th anniversary. She’s bravely invited about 150 members of the international fashion press to Downing Street to spark interest in the event.
It appears the Brits may be taking cues from the Americans...shhh.
September 4, 2008 in Eliza Browning | Permalink | User Comments (11)
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
The Media is on defense now, they see America turning against them. Anyone that is Republician or Independent, Copy this down and send to all in your email address boxes, we want to reach 5 million people in 2 weeks. BOYCOTT ABC NEWS, BOYCOTT NBC NEWS, BOYCOTT MSNBC, BOYCOTT CBS, jUST BOYCOTT THIER NEWS DIVISIONs. Their sexist, biased, reporting is going to stop,their selective censorship of posts is a prime example of their biases. You can get your news online at good sources like the http://www.drudgereport.com, this site is what the media is afraid of. Also http://www.newsbusters.org is excellent.
The media has been Biased more than 8 years, this started in the 80s. As a journalist you report the news, not MAKE the news. something you people are moving farther and farther from. be sure to NOT buy US or ok mag, these peices of trash are owned by obama supporters and Donors
Posted by: truthnreporting | Sep 4, 2008 10:59:11 AM
Obama was a community organizer in a city that has more people(12 000 000) than the whole state of Alaska(700 000).
It still doesnt take away the fact that McCain`s judgment is under seriouse question.
Posted by: Krista | Sep 4, 2008 11:02:12 AM
I used to be in radio and teevee news, and I know, from the inside, first hand, the Lib bias in newsrooms. It's terrible. News-gathering organizations are filthy with Lib bias.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | Sep 4, 2008 11:03:14 AM
==...McCain`s judgment is under seriouse question.==
That's cuz his judgment doesn't square with the Lib agenda. McCain has no obligation to side with Libs.
Anyway, you weren't gonna vote for McCain all along. So, what's changed that we have to peruade you with anything?
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | Sep 4, 2008 11:05:46 AM
So I guess that we have totally decided to ignore the economy, huh?
Moose burgers, flag pins,and dresses OVER joblessness, forecloseures, and gas prices.
Politics have turned into a Ricki Lake episode......so sad.
Posted by: Debra | Sep 4, 2008 11:17:57 AM
I don't care what they wear...I want to know how they are getting this country back on line....
Posted by: formerhillary | Sep 4, 2008 11:38:59 AM
love the listerin color of the ethnicity motivate Bark's wife
Posted by: sampf15 | Sep 5, 2008 12:53:57 AM
Gee, as long as we're talkin' about secession...
Did you know that NObama supported a bill by Hawaii U.S. Senator Akaka that Akaka admitted could have let Hawaii secede from the Union, hmmmm:
http://www.opinionjournal.com/diary/?id=110008503
In the following tidbit, where it tells us who supported the bill, it says that Clinton and NObama did:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_Hawaiian_Government_Reorganization
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | Sep 5, 2008 10:20:10 PM
So, then, anybody wanna talk about Palin and secession now?
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | Sep 5, 2008 10:27:45 PM
Gee, no wind in them Lib sails now that I posted proof that NObama supported a bill that the author, Hawaii U.S. Senator Akaka, said could have let Hawaii secede from the Union.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | Sep 5, 2008 10:36:00 PM
Keep it up "Mr. Incredible". The blinding light of truth is making these sick libs head back to their dark holes.
Posted by: bombem | Sep 11, 2008 2:25:26 PM
Post a comment
