Washington's Greatest Scandal: Crimes Against Fashion

I was desperately trying to pack a bag, at 6AM, in my pajamas, while looking for a half drunk bottle of milk for my two-year-old lost somewhere in our bed. I froze. I was going to the premiere of a TV show I created in LA and I had nothing to wear. I needed an outfit, my roots done and a different body with spray tan pronto! But I live in D.C. and D.C.'s style is best personified in a peach Ann Taylor suit, unfitted Eileen Fischer jacket, an anemic hosiery shade and Merrill walking shoes.

You see, this is a city where Watergate was broken, wars have been declared, wire-tapping is rampant, and the biggest crime of all? No fashion sense. We're situated right between New York and Miami, yet somehow Christian Louboutin jeweled heels and Narciso Rodriguez fitted skirts aren't dropped from the sky like food rations. I shouldn't complain, we just got a Barney's CO-OP, not a Barney's, the CO-OP (granted, it's right across the street from Chico's which gets more traffic), but it's a step, a Birken-step in the right direction.

Washington hasn't always been a sea of Talbot's hand-me-downs and faux pearl studs. Jackie Kennedy injected much needed sparkle to the White House as well as the nation's sense of dress. She was probably the only First Lady whose fashion was mimicked in mini jackets and pill hats. Can't recall a single woman owning the Barbara Bush polyester powder blue mid-calf suit. We'll see if Michelle Obama or Cindy McCain will change a city devoid of vogue. Even that would have to filter through the halls of congress and the Hill and I'm not sure those gals are ready to turn in their Brooks Brothers shirts for one made by a gay Japanese designer they can't pronounce.

When I lived in L.A. a few years ago, the style was more of a Jennifer Aniston cargo pants (granted, $600 ones), fitted tank and Balenciaga bag. You're rich, but as an artist you choose to do yoga and surf over going to your production company or meeting with your financial advisors. Then there was a shift to the Britney look--here is my belly button (and all the goods)-- just before I left. I went to a few parties where Kleenex and scotch tape was the designer du jour. But somehow in L.A. you can put a net over a bikini with some gold stilettos and it's considered dinner party attire. Even if Larry Flynt became president, I don't see this trend winding its way up the Potomac. Even the hookers and mistresses in D.C. don't dress that provocatively. Remember Gennifer Flowers? Yes, they all dress like stewardesses.

Back to my dilemma (the wardrobe, I found the bottle of milk, thanks). I have two looks in D.C.: disheveled Mom trying desperately to hold onto her youth and well-informed wife-of at the Kuwait Embassy reception. So basically, it's Juicy sweatpants and black taffeta. Neither of which will do working the red carpet. Enter the precocious, Hannah Montana-loving, iPod-obsessed five-year-old who dresses like she resides in Malibu. "Is that what you're going to wear?" she asked as I held up a shredded Dolce & Gabanna dress from an outlet that I still hadn't figured out how to wear. She didn't miss a beat and took to my closet with an extreme sense of mission. I recoiled. Ten minutes later an outfit was placed on the floor. A fuschia dress, fishnet stockings, diamond heels (that make me walk like a newborn colt), and diamond hoop earrings. Granted, I had seen a similar look on her Barbie, but who's competing?

I wore that exact ensemble in L.A. and was repeatedly asked who my stylist was. With the tilt of an eyebrow I said, "She's amazing and she's in D.C.!" Yes, I'm trying to change my city's image with baby steps. Baby Manolo steps.

Comments

[inatc]

Ali, I so appreciate your efforts and passion to keep style alive in D.C.! In fact, I wonder if something as simple as a bad pantsuit could be standing between Hillary Clinton and the Oval Office? And does it matter?

This really is the election of the 21st century. It is exhilarating. Just four years ago it seemed impossible to consider that a "person of the opposite gender" and a "man of color" would be vying for the position of Supreme Commander of one of the most influential countries in the world. It may not be the first time Hillary Clinton has perceived herself as a Commander in Chief, but it is the first time she has tried to convince her voters to view her as President of the United States. And perception is everything. The way in which Hillary is perceived by others and how comfortable she is in conveying her personality and message is critical. She must distinguish herself to the country and to the world as a leader who has dynamism, intelligence, confidence and authenticity.

So what seems to be the problem?! Why does Hillary seem self-conscious, dated, and physically uncomfortable in her current attire? Ironically, this outdated image she is projecting fails to coincide with her message of "experience plus change."

In On Beauty and Being Just, the philosopher and literary critic, Elaine Scarry, acknowledges that "¦beautiful things have a forward momentum, the way they incite desire to bring new things into the world: infants, epics, sonnets, drawings, dances, laws, philosophic dialogues, theological tracts". She goes further in pointing out that if a person or a thing isn"t aesthetically gratifying, there is aversion and avoidance.

It makes sense then that when someone presents as visually pleasing, we want to pay more attention to his message. This does not mean that he or she has to be the most handsome or beautiful; what it means is that we perceive that person as confident and fully engaged in her effort to share with us her expertise and talents. Simply put, that is attractive. Our interest is piqued.

Due to vast, incessant international media coverage and immense public interest, Hillary can no longer afford to separate appearance from who she is. The way she presents herself is more important than ever. Especially for the woman who"s the first one paving the road to the White House whether it happens now or later. In setting a precedent, Hillary has a responsibility to consistently convey her expertise and dynamism. A Commander in Chief needs to command attention. When someone looks authentically comfortable with herself, she immediately radiates all of those essential leadership characteristics.

What is becoming more and more clear is that in today"s visual world what someone says is not enough to keep our attention. We are visual beings who have a visceral reaction to what we see. Visually, at the moment, Hillary"s personal style communicates status quo: status quo appearance¦status quo ideas. The voting public is asking "will what we see extend to¦status quo leadership¦status quo execution¦status quo future?"

This does not mean that Hillary, in communicating "forward" thinking, should have to dress a "part." There are definitely very simple options that both communicate her forward thinking and make her feel comfortable and confident enough to passionately communicate her ideas.

Whatever misconception is holding Hillary or Hillary"s team back from having her look her message needs to be corrected. Today"s very talented and serious American designers would offer a quite appropriate resource of contemporary classics at a reasonable cost. An Americana chic, if you will, would allow her to represent both her fresh message and fresh American talent to the rest of the world. Michael Kors could certainly provide her with a figure flattering chic pantsuit. Or there is Vera Wang"s expertise in making a woman look femininely empowered for special events. And, of course, there are always Ralph Lauren"s well-groomed casual yet appropriate collections that would be perfect for travel or more informal situations. Another idea that might feel inspiring to Hillary is showcasing Linda Loudermilk"s sustainable apparel, reinforcing her environmental commitments. And it"s a good bet that Taryn Rose could present her with contemporary comfortable footwear that would get Hillary through her challenging days ahead in easy going style. Other notably capable American designers include Proenza Schouler, Marc Jacobs, Tory Burch, Narciso Rodriquez for Liz Claiborne, Brian Reyes, Carmen Marc Valvo, Rodarte, Bradley Bayou, Behnaz Sarafpour, Peter Som for Bill Blass, Chaiken, Zac Posen, Bryan Bradley for Tuleh, and of course Lela Rose from Texas.

The selection of gifted American designers is vast and would undoubtedly be able to support Hillary in visually communicating her message and feeling proud, empowered and confident enough to verbally communicate it.

Hillary is partaking in a long and arduous interview process with the American public, the press and the international world at large. Conscientious attention to her appearance becomes a metaphor for pride in being a world leader, pride in being a transcendent progressive Democratic leader, and pride in being a leader of women everywhere. No longer is attention to appearance thought of as narcissistic. On the contrary, it is considered a responsibility. Hillary must dress her message of informed change as she speaks it!

So, continue to stay away from Chico's, Ali! A good sense of style must prevail!

[VictorLudorum]

no bobs supporting raybans and low cut striped lycra tops over colorfull pants and driving convertibles?
"hi babe ,im routing for george bush's corporate lawyer ,you know everyone at capitol hill? .......................

[TheWesternBreed]

"D.C.'s style is best personified in a peach Anne Taylor suit, unfitted Eileen Fischer jacket, an anemic hosiery shade and Merrill walking shoes."

I'm guessing that this is bad? But when will HuffPost give the guys a sports section where we can debate the wing-T offense or the designated hitter?

[slank]

Please lighten up. This is a delightful, tongue-in-cheek piece and thoroughly enjoyable, particularly if you have been to DC!

[4Hope]

Thanks, Ali! Much needed respite from the all-consuming political babble.
But here's what I've been thinking about today's fashion. (Disclaimer first: I'm 61 & wore the suit,pearls & pillbox & believe that there is a big difference between style & fashion.)
I don't think there is any fashion sense today. What I see on the runway & on the streets of American cities is trash! It looks like most women got their clothes out of dumpsters! They are fashion-sheep! They wear whatevah they are told to wear by designers who are women-haters!
Why don't they wear nylon stockings anymore? Those sexy, lovely things? Why do they let their toes hang out to be crushed or infected with germs? Why do they think their bare legs are pretty &/or sexy? it looks like they just came in from the fields....peasants !
Why is it wrong to have things MATCH? My eyes & my brain can't take the chaos! Jeans, lace,high heels, too much jewelry, t-shirts under fur & to top it off...a gargantuan, hideous purse/bag/THING! or else, as you describe, that slouchy, depressed Vera Wang Eileen Fisher, D.VonFurstenberg look...the 'drag me off to the shrink, I'm SO bored' look....& this stuff is outrageously expensive!
More women should read "The Emperor's New Clothes" & then get a full-length mirror....

[shrake]

Welcome to Huffington Post, Ali!

Your D.C. neighbor and fellow blogger,

Scott Shrake

[lillianjane]

I'll get right on this and write to my Senators. They think Iraq and the housing crisis are important, when it's actually the dearth of Manolo's in their closets. What a vapid post.

[camb94]

Great post. I lived in DC in college and couldn't get past the fact that they still think the "preppy" look is stylish. Then I went back a few years ago and was amazed to find that they STILL thought that.

[Melissa]

Give the D.C. women a break. I don't think fashion is one of their priorities.