Blog #23: Fashion and Politics

Style, confidence, and competency all seem to go hand in hand. Some of the women lawyers in our reading have learned to use their sexuality to their advantage. They have learned to use their charm to get what they want and they have learned how to survive in a male dominated occupation. These lawyers have progressed from dressing “frumpy” and in dull colors because that is what they thought was expected of them to dressing in the latest fashions that accentuate their bodies and their minds. They found that when they changed their way of dressing they also changed the way they thought about themselves and the way co-workers and clients saw them (English, 2003). I find it odd that so much is attributed to one’s fashion sense. It is as if the Law Degree does not mean anything. I was surprised that the NPR had a whole segment on Michelle Obama’s style and the difference that it makes on her status to the public. The radio broadcasters commented that American women like that Michelle Obama dresses like a professional working woman that shows off her curves (Fashion Laws of Politics). Americans also want to be able to relate to the First Woman. When she was on Jay Leno and commented that her ensemble was bought on-line from J. Crew the audience went crazy. It was also stated that Michelle Obama needs to be very conscientious of what her clothing says to others. This means that her style needs to show that she is not submissive, but she is not threatening either. Women are under constant scrutiny. What makes it worse is that no matter where you go you are always going to get contradicting style issues. In “Gender on Trial”, the older litigators feel that the younger lawyers dress to sexy and that it gives the wrong impressions. Judges have even gone as far as telling women lawyers that their skirt was too short (English, 2003). When are we going to be past all these double standards and value what is really important. It is not about the clothes a lawyer wears, it is about their credentials and accomplishments that should earn merit.