https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-a-political-post-but-how-hillary-clinton-ended-the-clothing-conversation Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 28 Apr 2026 14:33:08 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-a-political-post-but-how-hillary-clinton-ended-the-clothing-conversation#post-1606187 Sat, 23 Jan 2016 18:34:22 +0000 rachylou 1606187@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mrs. Obama is so good, she's an honorary Brit in my mind, hehe :)</p> <p>A person's ability to wheel and deal, and what they'll wheel and deal for, is so important. But I do remember my American Government teacher pointing out the importance of the ceremonial aspect of Chief of state. It's a fundamental aspect of leadership. The emotional brain is always in the driver's seat. The rational brain is co-pilot only. There's no getting around that. I think that's the lesson of Mr. Spock... Lol. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-a-political-post-but-how-hillary-clinton-ended-the-clothing-conversation#post-1606031 Sat, 23 Jan 2016 13:43:53 +0000 Staysfit 1606031@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>UmmLila, this is an excellent topic and I thoroughly enjoyed reading the article about Hillary Clinton's attire. I also enjoyed the links posted by Kkards to the articles about Rubios boots. Psychology research shows that what we wear, and the first impression we make is lasting, and may have more impact on people's impressions of us than we want or care to believe. These concepts certainly apply in the political domain. As much as we wish people would judge politicians upon character, their potential for effectiveness, their previous voting record, their previous achievements and failures, etc. it usually comes down to their appearance and how their appeal resonates emotionally. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-a-political-post-but-how-hillary-clinton-ended-the-clothing-conversation#post-1606019 Sat, 23 Jan 2016 13:06:51 +0000 LaPed 1606019@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>rachylou It's not just Carly; I'm pretty sure the whole republican party in one way or another is trying to convince us that someone with business savvy is best suited for the role of head of state.</p> <p>Clinton has her own commitment troubles -- in terms of whether she presents a hard edge or a soft one. Seems to be an ongoing tension in her political career.</p> <p>Michelle O has set the bar pretty darn high for women on the american political stage. we've seen nothing like her since Jackie and probably won't again for some time... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-a-political-post-but-how-hillary-clinton-ended-the-clothing-conversation#post-1605983 Sat, 23 Jan 2016 10:02:11 +0000 rachylou 1605983@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Also, did anyone ever complain about Liddy Dole? She went the Maggie way, and I feel like no one really commented. But maybe they did. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-a-political-post-but-how-hillary-clinton-ended-the-clothing-conversation#post-1605740 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 20:54:06 +0000 rachylou 1605740@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think the British do this best. The Duchess of Cambridge has a very clear role in terms of what type of leader she is and the principles of dress are already laid out. Oh they tweak for the times, but the principles are long established. We know who she is, she knows who she is, done.</p> <p>Carly is on shaky ground because she's trying to play the business card while trying to become a head of state. You have to commit in life and style. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-a-political-post-but-how-hillary-clinton-ended-the-clothing-conversation#post-1605730 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 20:31:39 +0000 Janet 1605730@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Amen, Gaylene. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-a-political-post-but-how-hillary-clinton-ended-the-clothing-conversation#post-1605728 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 20:30:26 +0000 LaPed 1605728@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ah, Tyroshenko! Yeah, there's a woman with a signature look. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-a-political-post-but-how-hillary-clinton-ended-the-clothing-conversation#post-1605725 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 20:25:56 +0000 rachylou 1605725@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The Donald is unhelpable. Let's do Ted Cruz. Starting with less lipstick. Hehe.</p> <p>Pyramid Scheme Carly reminds me of Johanna Weir, the cooking lady.</p> <p>I liked the Ukranian PM who came to the bad end. At first I thought her Heidi braids were weird, but then I saw the light and wisdom. Total trademark.</p> <p>Btw: suspicious Google effect... Type in 'Ukrainian female politicians' and it gets changed to 'Russian female politicians.' </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-a-political-post-but-how-hillary-clinton-ended-the-clothing-conversation#post-1605717 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 20:04:44 +0000 LaPed 1605717@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree, some of Donald Trump's outfits have nearly made me fall out of my chair -- enormous red ties that come down past the crotch?!! Talk about a power tie. Ugh...</p> <p>And Gaylene, I'm sort of with you. I feel like Hillary Clinton's use of her attire as an extension of her political strategy makes her feel less relatable, less like a real person. I think it's sad to see someone become a wholly political animal, but I have a feeling it's impossible to survive in that environment (esp as a women) without a very thick veneer., and maybe it's better to feel no personal/sentimental connection to one's outward appearance. I have similar thoughts on Carly Fiorina, who's also been attacked over and over for her age and looks. Regardless of their respective ideals, these are both courageous women to be playing what is still a man's game and making it this far.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-a-political-post-but-how-hillary-clinton-ended-the-clothing-conversation#post-1605711 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 19:40:06 +0000 Gaylene 1605711@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Personally, I just wish Hilary would wear what pleases her and quit the whole stylist game.</p> <p>The whole "critiquing Hilary's wardrobe and hair" movement has moved way beyond any help she might gain from a stylist. It's about disparaging her through her appearance instead of her ideas. I'll support an Angie intervention for Hilary when Angie also gets to take a crack at Donald Trump. To my non-American eye, he needs a style intervention even more than Hilary. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-a-political-post-but-how-hillary-clinton-ended-the-clothing-conversation#post-1605692 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 19:00:58 +0000 rachylou 1605692@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh I'd love to see Angie style Hilary. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-a-political-post-but-how-hillary-clinton-ended-the-clothing-conversation#post-1605652 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 16:44:02 +0000 Anonymous 1605652@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I, too, wish Angie would style her! I think she could learn a thing or 2. That said, she can't win. No matter what she wears, she will be criticized. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-a-political-post-but-how-hillary-clinton-ended-the-clothing-conversation#post-1605651 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 16:39:45 +0000 LaPed 1605651@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's interesting that Hillary is finally starting to dress in typical New Yorker black, after many years of pastels and brights, which may not do much to flatter her but did become something of a signature. I suspect she's trying to "toughen up" her image as the race tightens up.&nbsp;</p> <p>I think it's easier for men to brush off critiques of their attire because they are all for the most part adhering to a fairly standard and unchanging set of gender norms. For women, it's more complicated because standards of what's acceptable keep morphing. Depending on geography and generation and cultural/religious background, any given outfit may or may not be acceptable. Height of heel, length of skirt, amount of make-up, depth of shirt collar, etc. And voters in Iowa will most likely be holding Hillary to a different standard than those in New Hampshire and Nevada, etc. So she's in a hard position of trying to be all things to all people, rather than just being herself. A male candidate can put on a black suit and no one will start arguing about whether it's a "good color" for him, because we're all so accustomed to seeing all sorts of men wearing black suits. (I think my husband looks ridiculous in a tux because the contrast is really too stark for his natural coloring but most people would never notice because all they see is a sharp-looking tux.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-a-political-post-but-how-hillary-clinton-ended-the-clothing-conversation#post-1605648 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 16:05:58 +0000 Laurie 1605648@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would love to hear how Angie would style Hillary... &nbsp;I always feel like her clothes do not flatter anything about her, and that better cuts and fits would subtly make her look so much more polished. &nbsp; &nbsp;I did not watch the last debate, but that photo in the article is sort of surprising. &nbsp;I mean, she was on international TV. &nbsp; Pretty darn casual.<br />It's true, women can't win in this game. &nbsp;Yet. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-a-political-post-but-how-hillary-clinton-ended-the-clothing-conversation#post-1605581 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 11:43:30 +0000 kkards 1605581@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>well, not sure if its progress or not, but what male politicians wear is also now part of conversation&nbsp;<br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/01/marco-rubio-boots">http://www.vanityfair.com/news.....ubio-boots</a><br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/01/07/rubios-boot-choice-draws-curiosity-jabs-from-republican-rivals.html"><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/01/07/rubios-boot-choice-draws-curiosity-jabs-from-republican-r" rel="nofollow">http://www.foxnews.com/politic.....publican-r</a>...</a></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-a-political-post-but-how-hillary-clinton-ended-the-clothing-conversation#post-1605563 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 10:03:31 +0000 RoseandJoan 1605563@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nobody wishes to be reduced to the sum of their parts, if the talk on style becomes a distraction from the message then something has to change.</p> <p>In the UK we have a new leader of the Labour Party who is far further to the left than the vast majority of politicians. I feel the UK press has used his dress as another way to undermine his credibility within the establishment. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-a-political-post-but-how-hillary-clinton-ended-the-clothing-conversation#post-1605495 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 04:02:46 +0000 rachylou 1605495@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Btw, I do think people talk about male political leaders' clothing ... But men, for whom variety is not appreciated, have a well established power uniform and women, for whom variety is, don't. So the talk runs out quickly for men. But do you remember the red power tie? How much chat went into who wore one, who didn't? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-a-political-post-but-how-hillary-clinton-ended-the-clothing-conversation#post-1605490 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 03:57:21 +0000 rachylou 1605490@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think the relationship between clothes and power is fascinating. I feel like the people who really run the world usually wear the most obscuring clothing. The people who keep calm and carry on, keeping it ticking... This is because they need to engender calm and often because they need stealth to operate efficiently and effectively.</p> <p>On the other hand, there are those certain moments when you need to move masses of people in a big way. You're not looking for stealth and calm. You want a figurehead that can sway. You want all eyes on the figurehead who will poise the crowd for action. In a giant crowd, no one will be able to see the leader. At best they'll only see the leader's clothes, their flag. You need to fly one flag and only one, or people won't be able to spot them.</p> <p>Tv is a fascinating cross roads because it allows MASSES to see YOU. You have a real decision to make about the way you'll execute. No, tv is really a cliff. It's fraught.</p> <p>My mother always says Hilary has no style because she doesn't know who she is. I actually think that's a fair criticism in political terms. I don't get the sense she's ever decided to put it all on the line as to 'running the world or figurehead?' She goes back and forth. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-a-political-post-but-how-hillary-clinton-ended-the-clothing-conversation#post-1605487 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 03:52:29 +0000 Gaylene 1605487@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting question, UmmLila. I doubt that a blank-slate is ever possible, but not-worthy-of-comment might be, especially if one doesn't fit within the current parameters of media-driven attractiveness.</p> <p>Hilary Clinton is an older woman, with an older woman's face and body, who has been subjected to some rather nasty comments in the press regarding her appearance and her fashion choices. The Duchess of Cambridge is young, very slender, and attractive woman; her clothes might be criticized, but her image is rarely ridiculed in the same way. Like the Queen, Hilary might think that the less people comment on her appearance, the better. Maybe the plain, black suit is a way of taking back control. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-a-political-post-but-how-hillary-clinton-ended-the-clothing-conversation#post-1605478 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 03:21:34 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1605478@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Is it possible to truly be a blank slate, clothing-wise? I see some tension between what we project (or want to project) vs. what others project upon us. </p> <p>Do you really take control in the plain black suit? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-a-political-post-but-how-hillary-clinton-ended-the-clothing-conversation#post-1605471 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 02:37:01 +0000 Anonymous 1605471@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's kind of sad that women in politics can't wear anything interesting.<br />I think of Rona Ambrose (Canadian federal politician) and how she wears the most boring suits imaginable, but you can tell that she's inwardly stylish because of her nicely done hair and possible work on her face (not that this is an indicator of style--just an indicator that she cares). Also, she has a cowboy boyfriend and wears a leather jacket and booties when off duty.&nbsp;</p> <p>But you know, I think the precedent for dull and forgettable clothing was set by men.&nbsp;Stephen Harper (former prime minister) makes this hilarious-for-him joke about his wardrobe:</p> <p>"The past year has been a long and challenging journey, but not one I have made alone. Throughout the difficult campaign and the days since, fraught with trials and tribulations, someone was with me every step of the way; traveling all the miles, living in hotels and on the bus, getting tugged and harassed by crowds both friendly and hostile. But never leaving my side. So let me just say: Thank you, dark blue suit.” </p> <p><em>— From Harper’s 2004 speech to the Parliamentary Press Gallery Dinner.</em></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-a-political-post-but-how-hillary-clinton-ended-the-clothing-conversation#post-1605470 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 02:35:54 +0000 Gaylene 1605470@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think women can't win when it comes to their appearance in situations where they want to be assessed for their brains instead of their bodies, hairstyles, and wardrobes. Maybe "boring" IS the answer so the public eventually loses interest in the subject of what is on the outside. </p> <p>There is nothing FUN about fashion when it gets in the way of your life and your goals. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-a-political-post-but-how-hillary-clinton-ended-the-clothing-conversation#post-1605467 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 02:13:11 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1605467@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Is an interesting piece that explores what we wear and don't wear to be taken seriously -- and what is lost by erasing signs of personality in clothing presentation. </p> <p>"That to me was the biggest advance: not complaining about fashion, not denying it, not ignoring it, but milking it for what it was worth. For what it could do for you: support your message. Underscore it. Add to it.</p> <p>People are interested in clothes. So what? They want to talk about them? Fine, let’s talk. If that’s the way to grab attention and engage — if that’s an entry point to a broader conversation and deeper connection — it’s at least as valid as discussions about, say, what sub sandwich is your favorite.</p> <p>And that is a lesson worth learning, one I would pass on to my daughters. It is one I wish female politicians — and I hope there will be more and more of them — would learn (male, too, for that matter). But it’s no longer being taught."</p> <p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/21/fashion/hillary-clinton-pantsuit-style-2016-campaign.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Ffashion&#038;action=click&#038;contentCollection=fashion&#038;region=stream&#038;module=stream_unit&#038;version=latest&#038;contentPlacement=9&#038;pgtype=sectionfront" rel="nofollow">http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01.....ctionfront</a> </p>