'Speaking Chic to Power'

[shoesense]

What did you think of the recent NYTimes article on style on the Capitol Hill? The article applauded Nancy Pelosi's choice of wardrobe, which apparently is a breath of fresh, fashionable air for congress-types. Of course, not cutting edge or forward in any way, but definitely chic and getting the message done (I'm a woman, hear me roar!). I also got a little miffed that women in politics feel this kind of pressure--which men of course don't, since they pretty much stick to a few elements of the same suit uniform wherever they go (it's not like they're dandies dressing like Oscar Wilde, or even like Karl Lagerfeld, ha!) Nobody would think of conducting a survey of what men wear in congress, right? Or criticizing them for not being 'masculine' or 'stylish' enough! It's hard enough for women to get there and do their job without also being scrutinized and criticized for an alleged lack of femininity, style, etc.
On that note, however, kudos to Pelosi, who knows how to dress for the part--although I do think those pumps are killing her by the end of a day trotting those marble and hardwood floors.

[Shomore]

Hear, hear! I'm also astounded at how she juggles being speaker of the House, a mother, wife, AND grandmother.

Here's another article about ladies shoes in the Capitol.
The Politics of Footwear: No Hose, No Toes - Politico.com. I wonder if one can look at a person's shoes and tell which party they belong to.

[madaloon]

Nancy Pelosi is such a classy woman. Adding to what Shoesense said, Pelosi and other women in positions of power have to look great and attend to their families to avoid criticism.

Oooo! I like. I've been wondering what sorts of shoes they wear on the Hill with their dress codes.

[Shomore]

LOL, the outfit does look like something out of the matrix and the guy's hair is pretty wild for the occasion.

I applaud Condi for stepping out in her own style but I'm also left to wonder if she's been asked to scale back her style. I haven't seen anything written about her clothing choices in ages.

Condi Rice's Commanding Clothes

[Shomore]

And here's Hilary's shoes. I figured that she'd be a Ferragamo girl, but she wore Minnetoka's! With all the campaigning she's been doing, I guess she decided to go with comfort.

Article: Hillary’s FD footwear draws national attention

[anne022196]

hmm, hilary's soes is not my type dude...
some ferragamo are nice but the one you posted is not soo good for me

[r5bales]

While the news agencies use women's wear to fill space in their pages, what the men wear DOES matter. What your congressman wears will make a huge difference in how he is received. The news may not talk about it, but when you get into the senate and lobby groups, the suit and it's fit makes a difference

I have read articles in menswear magazines that address the way President Obama's and VP Biden's suits fit, but not often.

[barbiegirl]

I know women notice other women's clothes. Maybe men do the same thing?