Blog 23 Politics of Fashion for Women Lawyers

According to the NPR clip called The Fashion Laws of Politics:Obama-style, Clothing and style can act as an important political weapon. Clothing creates the image of a charismatic figure or whatever the appropriate emotional and psychological messages may be. Michelle Obama sends a message of her own through her style. It is progressive and modern for Capitol Hill because she shows of her curves and which sets her apart. In fact, Jacqueline Kennedy was the last first lady to wear dresses until Michelle. Her implied message is that she is neither, “subversive or threatening”.

The appropriateness of how politicians dress is crucial to sending the right message because our culture sees some styles as a statement about who you are and it sets you apart like dreadlocks or afros for example. This is why making the right statement is so important for both politicians and lawyers. For example, Lawyers need to be concerned about the details of their appearance because there is a stereotype that women lawyers who dress in an attractive manner seem frivolous or incompetent. These are both undesirable traits to find in someone who is supposed to be intelligent and professional.

They, like politicians, can alter their style create the appropriate emotional or psychological message. One male lawyer describes how he wears his three piece suit when he wants to seem intimidating and powerful and give the impression that he will be a shark in the courtroom. At other times he may want to wear casual khakis and a buttoned up shirt to seem like his clients buddy in construction litigation. It all depends on the audience and the message that is going to be told through the politics of fashion (English, 2003).

English, H. (2003). Gender on Trial: Sexual Stereotypes and Work/Life Balance in
the Legal Workplace. New York: ALM Publishing.