Fashion and Politics

Seeing as fashion the outward expression of one's inner self, much information about a persons character and personality are perceived from appearance alone. It is vastly important among celebrities and their desire to always look stylish and on the cutting edge of fashion trends. However, it is even more important for those in the political rat race, especially during campaigning time. 

Men often do not receive the same amount of scrutiny as women running for a office because political men have a staple style to follow that they know is acceptable. This style consists of a dark colored suit (black or blue) of different cuts that are tailored to what makes the candidate look his best. For women, attire turns into a world of challenging fashion selections. Because these people are running for an office that is chosen by the people and as a representative of those people, what they wear can make all the difference in whether they become a popular candidate, so selection is crucial. This is an interesting time to witness women in politics seeing as women are gaining the support to run for more influential government positions. We are seeing the transformation and hybrid between the fashion of the first ladies of the past into the respectful, trendy political candidates of today. 

As of lately Senator Hillary Clinton, Governor Sarah Palin, and First Lady Michelle Obama have been the center of conversation in the political world when it comes fashion. Whether for Senator Clinton's transfer from dark pant suits that were comparable to a mens suit to her colorful pant and skirt suits as of recent, Governor Palin's heightened fashion sense, brought on by the $150,000+ spent on her campaign wardrobe, to Michelle Obama's enamored sense of fashion and cutting edge trends while keeping a powerful, classy look.  With all the glory of being at the center of attention comes the overwhelming response of scrutiny. And budgeting correctly for that look is also under close eye because the public sees their spending habits on the campaign trial as a representation of how they will manage the Nation's budget. These women are condemned if they have any sort of fashion mishap, while still expected to balance conservative, classic looks with cutting edge fashion. 

Fashion in film through the decades

Fashion has changed so much over the years and also has had a revolving door effect within celebrity circles.  Fashion trends as we know them, come in as quickly as they move out, but there are some revolutionary ideas that have come into play in the fashion world, especially for women, that will never go out of style. 

The 1920's was a majestic time for America and especially fashion. This was the emergence of fashion icons and the need for styles worn by the celebrities. The trend was short "bob" cut hair, a short skirt or flapper dress, and it was the onset of designer clothes like Chanel and Givenchy. Everyone who was anyone wanted to wear the finest clothes so symbolize a high status or power. And this was one of the first times in history that high class women and celebrities were seen wearing trousers. 

The 1930's were what many thought to be the return to a more lady like appearance with fashion that showed off women's busts and waistlines that were curvy, as well as the hair looking less edgy. However, women's clothing had to become more practical as they became more productive during the day. But at night women were still adorned with beautiful new fabrics  that shimmered with sequins and glass beads. This was also the time the halter neck became a popular fashion style, along with backless evening dresses and clothing that was form fitting. 

The 1940's  were very different due to the war. Fabrics were rationed, and embellished clothing was thought unpatriotic. Utility and uniformity became the fashion trend. The wedge sole shoe became popular for its sturdiness, the turban and head scarf for keeping women's hair out of factory machines, and the siren suit became popular as it was the first jumpsuit and was easy and quick to put on in an emergency situation. 

The 1950's was mainly about fashion accessories. The pre-formed conically stitched bra, beads, eyewear with large wings with rhinestones, gloves of a variety of colors, furs, handbags, stiletto healed pointed toe shoes, and hats to dress out any old outfit. Lavish material began to be used again, and bouffant net petticoats and paper nylon petticoats became popular. And pencil skirts as well as the empire dress were introduced. 

The 1960's fashion trends were led by the youth for the first time in history. Much to my surprise, the mini skirt was not popular until the mid 1960's with the fashion of the fifties still holding popularity up until then. Stockings ended, and pantyhose or tights, took flight. Women felt liberated from girdles of the fifties. Low kitten heels and flat boots became popular with the mini dresses. And for a more practical look trousers with a tunic or shirt were worn. 

The 1970's were adorned with a variety of clothing that would please women on any given day at any time. Mini skirts were still popular for day wear, maxi dresses were worn in the evening as well as empire line dresses with sequined fabric, evening trousers or halter neck catsuits. This was also the period where hot pants were popular at the discos and animal prints began to stake their claim.

The 1980's was the origination of the power suit for woman. Usually decorated with beadwork or elaborate stitching with shoulder pads. Fine jewelry was popular as well as oversized costume jewelry. Dresses became available in more bold colors and tops with batwing sleeves.  Shawls, clutches, hats, embellished tights, and wedge shoes, low pumps, as well as doc marten's were popular. 

And lastly in the 1990's people began to dress down. Glitz and glamour were put aside, people began to wear trousers and blue jeans more, pashminas were used to dress outfits up, and camouflage and animals patters became more prevalent. Also, strappy sandals and designer label shoes like Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo became of great importance. 

The fashions of the past decade have paved the path for the 21st century and the future. These fashions always seem to revolve and come back at one time or another. It is simply interesting to see where them come from and really try to understand why each style was popular at that time period. 

"Before We Part Ways"

The semester has flown by, and being my last semester ever of college has really gotten me thinking about past classes I have taken, what I have learned... and still remember, and most of all in what ways this knowledge, that I have invested the past five years of my life in, will change me and actually take form in my future. I truthfully can't tell you if what I am about to say next occurred simply because I am currently in this class and it is the most current class I could recall or what, but the first class that I could recall that has truly impacted me was race, gender and media. We spend so much time learning politics, science, mathematics, sociology, psychology, all to come to understand how. How government works, how the human body works, how nature works, how people are conditioned, how people are socialized, how businesses are ran, just a whole lot of hows. But where are the whys? They are so often left out, not accounted for, or very minimally explained. I think this class made a difference because it got down into the why. 

It is easy to go through life and not ask why people are treated differently and where this train of thought has come from. We get so wrapped up in our own small problems that we often choose not to acknowledge others problems that are grander than ours. This class has forced me to step outside of myself and at the very least hear others out about how different their situation is, and to do my best to understand what they go through and the difficulties others face. At first, this was all I was doing, listening, trying to understand, but the more and more I heard and learned about how misrepresented and ill treated other races are in the media and in the world, it was impossible for me to not be changed. Now, when I watch a show, read a magazine, watch the news, or even stop at the convenient  store, I can't help but see differently. The major change for me this semester is the simple act of becoming aware. It sounds small, but it makes all the difference. Knowledge is power in this world, and putting it into action is only the next step. So as I go out into the world, whether I get the opportunity to work in the advertising world or not I will have the knowledge to see when woman are being continually sexualized, different races being underrepresented, or ethnicities being stereotyped, and take a stance and do my part to change these problems. 

Whenever I first heard that we had to blog in this class, I was everything but excited. I had not idea why people liked blogs so much and I had no interest in doing one myself. Much to my surprise, in the middle of the first blogging assignment I began to see why. I felt so free to just write, put my thoughts and opinions down and no care in the world if others agreed or disagreed with me. It was liberating and slightly therapeutic to voice your opinions for anyone to see, and it really made me think about what we had been discussing and apply it to the world around me. It was insightful to read the opinions of others and to come to understand their thoughts on the same topics.I have come to understand why blogging is so important to some people and why so many people are doing it. I think I will continue to be one of them. So I am thankful to you Professor Flippin-Wynn for presenting this medium to me, it has certainly made an impact on my life. 

I have one last thing to wrap this up. I really enjoyed getting to know the other people in my group and I think that group work is one of the greatest ways to teach. We all have to learn to work with others well, and it is particularly useful for this class in that you don't always get grouped with people that are just like you. It teaches us to understand others, and that's one of the most important morales in life... understanding. 

I hope I have made it obvious how I feel about this class and the way it was taught. I would suggest this class to anyone because I think we are all taking more than just a few credit hours away from it.