Robin Givhan: Sotomayor's Suits Reminiscent Of '1980s Lady Power Broker'

Washington Post:

This week, Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor did not appear to have been swayed by the fashion industry's argument. Not in the least.

Her wardrobe, as she sat for her daily grilling by the Senate Judiciary Committee, did not reflect the fashion industry's constant refrain. In fact, it did not even appear to have been influenced by the 21st century. Instead, Sotomayor's clothes evoked authority in the manner of a 1980s lady power broker.

Read the whole story: Washington Post

Comments

[QuietLightTraveler]

We focus on a woman's looks and style because when you think about it most of society doesn't really value a woman seriously for much other than that, at least on a superficial level. That being said, the female judges I have experienced, have been really bad, not for their appearance, but for their performanc­e..

[hollyhund]

I was thinking the same thing...es­pecially the day she wore the red with black...tr­ue '80 power statement!

[jeniferdaniels]

very 80s and i just read an article telling women to wear a jacket just like this on an interview.­..I was mortified!

[PatA]

What does Sessions suits remind you of?

[Doc0976]

Thank you for that, PatA! I love this comment!

I guess we need to exercise a little forgiveness since Robin can only wrap her head around fixating on the fashion sense of those who have so much more to offer than their wardrobes. Why can't we leave the fashion critiques for the Hollywood types and fashionistas that pound the catwalks? Even socialites will do! But seriously, the op-ed pieces on political fashion sense fall flat because no one tunes in to Senate confirmation hearings to see what the latest and greatest is for Fall 2010.

Robin, please leave the fashion commentary to the red carpet. They are the ones that get paid to look good.

[Weirdwriter]

Damnstraight. I want a Superior court judge I can trust for intellectual ability, experience and, yes, empathy, not how great her wardrobe is.

The men don't get this scrutiny, why should she? What's next, propose a makeover for M.s Ginsberg?

Twaddle.

[jdt67]

Why the hell does this matter? Why must we always reduce women to the clothes they wea?

[NotStarvingArtist]

There's nothing wrong with her suits, but I do wish she would get a professional hairstylist to makeover her hairstyle.