Hillary Clinton is damned no matter what she wears. That's a problem.
The Internet has exploded in outrage over Hillary Clinton's reported $12,000 Giorgio Armani jacket, which she wore to a New York primary event in April.
But why do we care so much about the sartorial choices of our politicians, especially when they are women? Is that fair? Is it sexist?
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Lauren Rothman, a Capitol Hill stylist and the author of Style Bible: What To Wear To Work, thinks Clinton's style is judged unfairly.
"Women are going to be talked about for what they're wearing, whether it's from Kohl's or Bergdorf Goodman," Rothman says.
"She's dressing for the job she wants in that [$12,000 coat]. That requires an executive wardrobe that isn't flashy – I think she's doing that."
Of course, the nefarious $12,000 lambskin coat isn't actually $12,000 any longer. If you want to nab it before it sells out, it's now on sale for $7,497. But that's beside the point.
Women politicians have long been scrutinized for their wardrobe choices.
Sarah Palin was criticized for her half-a-million dollar clothing budget in 2008. Michelle Obama has been chided for going sleeveless; she made national headlines when she donned a marigold Narciso Rodriguez gown, sans sleeves, to the 2016 State of the Union. She also garnered criticism for the $12,000 Carolina Herrera dress that she wore to a French state dinner.
Of course, Clinton isn't aiming for second-in-command or a third turn as First Lady. She's gunning for President of the United States, with the power suits to fit the job.
"Clinton is in a different role than these other women. Her wardrobe is going to have a different presence that's going to inspire people in a different way," says Rothman.
The recent New York Post article about the $12,000 jacket also chastises Clinton's past style, describing it as "dowdy" and "matronly," while simultaneously criticizing her new sense of dress.
"As first lady, Clinton wore frumpy pastel skirtsuits," the Post article read. "As New York senator and secretary of state, she attempted a more serious look, wearing pantsuits in a rainbow of colors — so mocked that they sparked memes."
Clinton is damned if she does, damned if she doesn't. And yes, that's problematic.
Contrast it with the Republican nominee, Donald Trump, whose Brioni suits are upwards of $8,000 (not counting the heavy tailoring fees that often accompany menswear) but haven't attracted nearly as much attention.
"I look forward to the day when the media shines a light on Clinton's Anne Klein suits, [which] are affordable," says Rothman. "But then, no one would care."
Or would they just call her style cheap, too?
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Topics Hillary Clinton Politics
David joined the Mashable team as its first fashion hire. He's written for the Wall Street Journal, Elle, GQ, Harper's Bazaar, Esquire, Details, Nylon, Refinery29, Fashionista, and covered the men's market at Women's Wear Daily. David has appeared on E!, Vh1, the Style network, and was a stylist at Capitol records.
