Going back to the appearance of women in politics, and the scathing gaze that is directed at their superficial composition, this article highlights the various ways in which women in politics around the world use fashion as a way of regaining control of their bodies, their identities, and the way they want to be perceived by the public. It's frustrating that such a paradox exists; women need to pick their outfits intentionally in order to communicate their earnestness. But this intentionality allows critics to make judgments on their motives in politics (i.e. how they dress indicates their political intentions). Women must not look too feminine, but also not overly masculine, for that is forcing her into an image she is not. I wonder how much of this is also simply the nature of women's fashion versus men's; there is generally a wider array of style available to women. Regardless, I think the article's hopeful glance into the future of politics offers us another way to upend what has already been upended: "when it is not a matter of a tradeoff between patriarchy and ambition, the wardrobe choice of a woman in politics can be an asset. When Ocasio-Cortez wore big gold hoops to President Donald Trump's State of the Union address, she tweeted that it was so that "next time when someone tells Bronx girls to take off their hoops, they can just say they're dressing like a congresswoman." When Sudanese anti-government protestor Alaa Salah wore the traditional toub to her singing protests, she channeled the Nubian warrior queens who led armies into battle."
On one hand, I find it frustrating that women are once again held to standards/ expectations disregarded for men and that a woman's appearance is, in our society, viewed as reflective on their persona. However, I do see the silver lining behind this as alluded to in this post on how taking advantage of this notion of putting on an image through style can be positively twisted as a mode of expressing self-confidence. I can understand and appreciate how a woman's wardrobe choice in politics especially can be an assets through its ability to make bold statements, and am happy that women can make uplifting a sometimes frustrating paradox.
ReplyDeleteThis discussion of women's fashion in politics reminds me of the 2019 State of the Union Address, to which all of the congresswomen wore white to honor "suffragist white." There was huge media attention on this, and I think it was a really powerful move by these women to call attention to the work of women activists, especially at a speech by the head of an administration which has often been under fire for its handling of women's issues.
ReplyDeleteSo while I completely agree with your notes on the double-standard for women when in comes to fashion in the political sphere, it's also empowering to recognize the way that women can intentionally use fashion as a form of protest and patriarchal resistance!
See more on the congresswomen wearing white here:
https://time.com/5518859/state-of-the-union-2019-white/