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Tag Archives: power dressing
Kamala Harris, Plain and Fancy
By now you have probably heard about the dust up over Vogue’s February issue featuring Kamala Harris on the cover. According to Vogue, both photos, shot by African American photographer Tyler Mitchell, were approved for publication. The more casual look … Continue reading
The Wearing of the Green
Today is St. Patrick’s Day, and I’m fascinated by the American convention of wearing green for this holiday. Do the Irish themselves do it, I wonder? And is there any other holiday when a certain color is considered a requirement? … Continue reading
Jackie Kennedy’s White House Style
What did these two women think of the other one’s outfit when they met? I’ve been preparing a talk on Jackie Kennedy’s White House fashion for a local museum. The research has been a lot of fun. In the process, … Continue reading
Shirley Chisholm–Unbought, Unbossed
Shirley Chisholm (1924-2005) was a trailblazer. In 1968, she became the first African American woman elected to the House of Representative. Four years later, at the age of 48, she ran for president. Her slogan was “Unbought, Unbossed,” perhaps one … Continue reading
Posted in 1970s, 1980s, 1990
Tagged African American, New York, power dressing, textile prints
2 Comments
About Pantsuits, Not Politics
The American media is abuzz with interpretations of what Melania Trump might have meant by donning a white pantsuit to her husband’s first State of the Union speech. Speculation is fun, but what interests me is the fact that she … Continue reading
Bi-Partisan Dressing: Posing With Big Bird
On the US National Archive’s Flikr site, there is a folder of photographs of “notable women,” a fairly random selection of important American women. It’s no surprise that First Ladies form the bulk of those chosen, and that they are … Continue reading
The World of Beatrice F. Auerbach
Beatrice Fox Auerbach (1887-1968) was not raised to become a woman of business. Born into the family that owned the G. Fox & Co. department store in Hartford Connecticut, she received the kind of finishing school education her parents believed … Continue reading
Women in White
The simple white skirt and blouse of this older woman is probably sending a political message. In the 1910s, the American suffrage movement adopted purple, gold, and white as the colors of their cause. Wearing white, meant to symbolize the … Continue reading
Power Dressing at the Telephone Switchboard, 1930s
This photo shows a stark contrast in dress between the apparent supervisor, standing up with her hands behind her back, and the women working the switchboard. In a dark skirt topped by a white shirt with cuffs, the supervisor looks … Continue reading
You Can Keep Your Hat On
How do women in positions of power establish their authority in a work environment? These days it is done through clothes, but it used to be done with hats. I’ve read many memoirs about women editors at fashion magazines being … Continue reading