Blog #23

When the Wall Street Journal Law Blog comments “that pantyhose and makeup are rarely, if ever, issues for male [law] colleagues” it opened a firestorm of comments about the issue fashion for women practicing law. There was a great deal of passion concerning female lawyer attire. While not everyone agrees what the rules of attire were there was clear consensus that a woman’s attire mattered and that the window of acceptable was narrow. No stilettos and no flats when it comes to shoes were expected. Looking put together was important. Being frumpy or boring sent the message you didn’t care. Beyond the public commentary on a blog is the specific guidance from some companies. There was citation that the firm of Freshfields, Bruckhause and Deringer had been advising female associates to “embrace their femininity” by wearing stilettos and skirts to work because they felt it projected a professional image. Gender stereotyping may be equivalent to workplace discrimination but it is still widely practiced. Clearly value is placed on appearance rather than talent as far female lawyers are concerned. Likewise, women in the world of politics face these issues. It was suggested in the discussion of Micelle Obama that the first ladies’ role even back to the time of Dolly Madison was to impart some fashion statement. It was suggested that the first ladies charisma and style provided the emotional and psychosocial tone of the presidency. In this era of media immediacy and excitement Michele Obama faces much scrutiny and a lot of limitations. Fashion commentators described her has modern, progressive, preppy, with a degree of sex appeal and felt this was part of the philosophical message the president wanted to confer. They noted too that those scrutinizing her imposed a number of limits. They felt that a traditional back fashion such as corn rows in her hair would be unacceptable and inappropriate in her role and position. These limitations on women in terms of appearance are a clear and direct form of discrimination because of gender and role disparity.