Political Fashion: Sarah Palin, Cindy Mccain, and Michelle Obama
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On the style of the women in the presidential campaign. Why does the style of female politicians play such an important role in media coverage? Why aren’t the men’s style choices scrutinized like the women’s are?
As I sit watching the news of the presidential race, I have noticed a very disturbing trend. The women’s clothes and general style are nearly always commented upon! In fact, Cindy McCain has been compared to Jackie Kennedy several times as a style icon. I think if any woman had $300,000 to spend on one evening’s outfit they would look good — regardless of the woman! I think it’s completely ridiculous that Mrs. McCain could wear$300,000 while her husband espouses change and says that Obama is an elitist. I don’t see Mrs. Obama wearing $300,000 outfits!
Furthermore, who cares really what they are wearing? Does it matter that Cindy McCain was wearing an Oscar de La Renta dress or Chanel pumps in any political forum? Perhaps it’s interesting trend wise or design wise as to the new colours of the season. Does the discussion need to be held in a political forum? In a world where image matters almost more than substance it is very disturbing that only the women are being scrutinized in this matter.
Could Sarah Palin possibly be the Vice President of the United States if she is “frumpy”? She is quoted in Vogue as saying: “A reporter once asked me about it [her appearance] during the campaign, and I assured him I was trying to be as frumpy as I could by wearing my hair on top of my head and these schoolmarm glasses.” She definitely has a penchant for the up do.
Cindy McCain is described as wearing more traditional, conservative and classic designers — perhaps because of her age and wealth. Her style has gone many transformations through her husband’s campaign. She has changed her hair cut to include a wisp of bangs and has been wearing bolder and bolder colours. I think that she perhaps consider what kind of message is sent out wearing such expensive, couture, over the top designs. She wouldn’t want be “elitist” like the competition!
Michelle Obama has a more modern and subtle approach to her fashion than McCain. She wears bolder prints and more subtle colours which are perhaps more achieveable for the “average” woman. At least she doesn’t appear as “untouchable” as Cindy McCain. She is definitely creating a style all her own — conservative but modern at the same time.
All three women are strong, independent and powerful women. All three are mothers and all three have stepped into the political arena in a huge way. Every piece of their lives are being examined and judged but does it have to go as far as what kind of shoes they’re wearing? Has anyone heard what John, Barrack or Mr. Palin has been wearing shoe wise? Does anyone even care? Of course women’s fashion is infinitely more interesting than men’s!
5 Comments
“I think if any woman had $300,000 to spend on one evening’s outfit they would look good ” – so true. However, I am not sure that agree with you about Ms Obamas clothes not being expensive. They look expensive to me….just like Ms. McCains does. Then again, like you, I dont see where eithers clothes have any substance to the the politics of their husbands.
Thanks for your comments! I agree that Mrs. Obama’s clothes are definitely designer and probably priced well above anything I’d want to spend. However, I seriously doubt that she wore $300,000 worth of it at once. You’d think that she’d know better. She’s also more inclined to wear more modern designer’s — sometimes little known which of course, would make them less expensive than Oscar de la Renta or Chanel. Both Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Palin are trying to be representatives of the people. Your average, ordinary soccer moms appealing to the middle class women. I’m not sure they’re average or ordinary but they’re certainly trying to give that perception.
Trust me, average moms don’t wear $300,000 outfits on no accords.
Michelle Obama dresses like a potential first lady who will change women fashion when she enters the White house. Women will probably start wearing dresses again. Dresses are more feminine
Thanks for your comments! I totally agree that Michelle Obama could change women’s fashion. Her style is eclectic mixing modern and traditional designers and pieces. She makes fashion more accessible to the average woman unlike Cindy McCain who imo dresses atrociously over the top on most occasions. I’m just hoping that Sarah Palin doesn’t start influencing women’s fashion too much with that ridiculous, always in place, up do and heavy librarian glasses. I have heard that her glasses are becoming a more popular style though. She is definitely NOT fashion forward.