Fashion Whip is a political style column in The Huffington Post by Lauren Rothman and Christina Wilkie. Rothman is the founder of Styleauteur.
WASHINGTON -- What does it take to land on The Fashion Whip's list of the best dressed people in American politics?
Simply put, it's power dressing -- the kind that moves crowds and makes voters and congressional colleagues take a second look. This is a list of politicians who cultivate their power through their public image -- and this being politics, it's always deliberate.
Power dressing in politics is not just about what (or who) you are wearing -- it is also about how you communicate your message. Body language, charisma and the ability to carry oneself well factor heavily into the overall look. You have to own it. This list of politicians includes heavyweights with decades of experience in the public eye, as well as a healthy dose of newcomers -- all of whom have the political clout to move (and sway) people.
In a place where many of the most powerful roles are occupied by men, freshman Rep. Frederica Wilson's (D-Fla.) matching cowboy hat and suit ensembles (Wilson reportedly has a room where she keeps more than 80 hats!), and the sharp panache of Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) exemplify the unique way these women occupy their own political stage. Among the 'gents, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney are high-budget veterans, and the standard they set influences relative newcomers like Reps. Cedric Richmond (D-La.) and Aaron Schock (R-Ill.), who have an impressive collection of designer suits between them.
Click through the slideshow for the trademarks and tactics that shaped and maintained Washington's reputation for power dressing this year.
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Whether he's wearing a perfectly tailored tux or a pale green Hermes tie, John Kerry is the dean of Senate dressing. He's also authentically himself: Kerry is a wealthy, patrician New Englander, and he's not afraid to dress the part. Cheers, dahling.
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In my humble opinion, to be counted among the "best dressed", your clothes must LOOK GOOD on you, and you must look impeccable and appropriate MOST of the time. Style is not Stylish, if from time to time the person looks frumpy, overdressed, underdressed, ill-fitted or uncoordinated.
Style must also be NOTED over time by more than a couple of columnists trying to be clever. Who would have thought of most of these people as style trendsetters before they saw this list? Very few I'm guessing.
A decent occasional picture puts you on a well-dressed list.
Wearing expensive labels facilitates being called well-dressed.
With a couple exceptions, the men spent all their money on suits and nothing on tailoring, a significant indicator of being well-dressed. I am "schocked" that Schock would spend 5K on a Zegna suit and then nothing on tailoring his shirt cuffs. Rubio, too, although he commits the cardinal sin of the floating jacket collar. Kerry's shirt and jacket sleeves too long. We can presume that Romney has better tailoring. Richmond wearing a jacket cut for another body type. Ironically, it is Paul Pelosi who is best-dressed of all. All the men should have Alan Flusser on speed dial.
Bachmann still has a long way to go. Her suit proportions are totally off with a too short skirt, too long jacket and even longer jacket sleeves. Ayotte channels the Hill fashions of the 80's and is stuffed into a too-small suit. Don't even get me started on Clinton and Wilson. "Power dressing" for women does not involve large amounts of white (seen as aloof), loud colors, ruffles, short skirts (or other skin-baring clothes) or jewelry/accessories that detract from your message.
Out of the 13 politicians, it is only a handful who have passable, not laudable, wardrobes. There are much better examples in DC.
& Mrs C is really smart & has done a good job!