Professor Susan Scafidi, director of the Fashion Law Institute, shared her expert opinion with The Washington Post in an article examing the pressures female candidates face when they are dressing for the campaign trail.
More than a century later, research shows that physical appearance remains a point of intense scrutiny for female political candidates, while the looks or dress of their male peers are scarcely factored into their potential. Women running for office say they often feel pressure to look the part lest they not be taken seriously. But the expense and upkeep of a professional wardrobe can be a barrier for many. That’s why workwear retailer M.M. LaFleur is offering to lend clothing to female candidates this election season.
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Puzzling through the public’s demands of what a trustworthy, professional woman ought to look like is an almost impossible task, said Susan Scafidi, academic director of the Fashion Law Institute at Fordham University. Standards for men’s professional wardrobe have barely changed in the past century; for women, professional fashion is a moving target. They’re expected to wear jackets that square their shoulders (without looking too masculine), skirts that are neither too long nor too short, unless they opt for trousers (which raise questions of formality) and blouses that are flattering without being revealing.
“There’s never a set of safe choices for women because the expectations and messaging around clothing is constantly evolving,” Scafidi said. “Female political candidates have an even greater challenge, needing to appear on camera in different outfits without appearing to spend too much on clothes, whatever amount that might be, and thus having their ability to balance budgets called into question.”