WP: Condoleezza Rice's Commanding Clothes

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived at the Wiesbaden Army Airfield on Wednesday dressed all in black. She was wearing a black skirt that hit just above the knee, and it was topped with a black coat that fell to mid-calf. The coat, with its seven gold buttons running down the front and its band collar, called to mind a Marine's dress uniform or the "save humanity" ensemble worn by Keanu Reeves in "The Matrix."

As Rice walked out to greet the troops, the coat blew open in a rather swashbuckling way to reveal the top of a pair of knee-high boots. The boots had a high, slender heel that is not particularly practical. But it is a popular silhouette because it tends to elongate and flatter the leg. In short, the boots are sexy.

(snip)

Rice's coat and boots speak of sex and power -- such a volatile combination, and one that in political circles rarely leads to anything but scandal. When looking at the image of Rice in Wiesbaden, the mind searches for ways to put it all into context. It turns to fiction, to caricature. To shadowy daydreams. Dominatrix! It is as though sex and power can only co-exist in a fantasy. When a woman combines them in the real world, stubborn stereotypes have her power devolving into a form that is purely sexual.

(snip)

But the sexual frisson in Rice's look also comes from the tension of a woman dressed in vaguely masculine attire -- that is, the long, military-inspired jacket. When the designer Yves Saint Laurent first encouraged women to wear trousers more than 30 years ago, his reasons were not simply because pants are comfortable or practical. He knew that the sight of a woman draped in the accouterments of a man is sexually provocative. A woman was embracing something forbidden.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A51640-2005Feb24.html

whatever, wapo.

I'm sure if we dig around we can find ravishing reviews of Himmler's outfits too.

This has got to be one of the most REVOLTING things I've ever read. :puke:

I like the outfit. Nitpicking costumes seems petty.

There are more important thing to spend your energy on than this drivel...

Let it go!

Countless essays and books have been written about the erotic nature of high heels. There is no need to reiterate in detail the reasons why so many women swear by uncomfortable three-inch heels and why so many men are happy that they do. Heels change the way a woman walks, forcing her hips to sway. They alter her posture in myriad enticing ways, all of which are politically incorrect to discuss.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A51640-2005Feb24.html

This piece of erotica belongs in PLAYBOY not in the Washington Post. So now we are told by the MSM that the Buck Toothed Lady Macbeth is a sex goddess. I think I am going to vomit!

:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

A dishonest, selfish opportunist who saw that her only way up the ladder was by exploiting her minority status by joining the Republican Party.

:evilgrin:

I'll support the next candidate who proposes that from now on, the news should all be read by Rod Serling.

Take me hoooooooooome, Mr Wizard.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A25818-2004Jul29.html

<snip>
With such care given to image management, it is all the more jolting that Kerry could make such a terrible miscalculation during his recent visit aboard the orbiter Discovery at Cape Canaveral. He donned a pale blue jumpsuit and hood to enter the craft, which was being prepared for a space shuttle mission. The ensemble, which looked like a cross between surgical scrubs and a bunny suit, is worn in laboratories to maintain a clean environment. Such suits are standard in Hollywood films in which the hero visits the lab of the mild-mannered scientist whose research will ultimately save the world. But note that it is the lab rat who wears the suit, not the hero. He stands strong and resolute, throwing off clouds of testosterone while absorbing dire warnings.

In this age of image, the very mention of the lab suit should have set off flashing red lights and screaming sirens. No costumes! Do not let the candidate look like the boy in the bubble! Do not allow voters to make a visual connection between the candidate and Woody Allen dressed as sperm!

The suit did not humanize Kerry. It did not make him look tough. Maybe if Kerry had had a surgical mask hanging around his neck, the suit would have given him the heroic glow of a surgeon emerging from the operating theater to announce that the patient will survive. Instead, the image left one wondering whether the suit had a back flap and attached feet.

The photographs of Kerry dressed in his sky blue onesie were quickly compared to the image of former Democratic presidential nominee Michael Dukakis when he climbed into a tank. With a too-big helmet perched atop his head, Dukakis called to mind the awkward ineptitude of an underage driver who can barely see over the steering wheel. But the Kerry-Dukakis costuming comparison is not quite fair. Although the tank scene ultimately turned out to be ill-advised, reasonable minds could understand the logic behind it: Put the candidate who has problems communicating his toughness inside a military vehicle. Accessorize with a helmet. Associate him with combat, aggressiveness, bravery
<snip>

is too often inflicted on women, since we have no uniform equivalent to the business suit, etc., of the man.

We're forced to choose between showing our legs (sexy!) or dressing "like a man."

:eyes:

And practical, functional shoes = Lesbian, crone, or crip.

:eyes: :eyes:

Gore wore EARTH tones.

Someone needs to line up these fashion queens at the WAPO and FIRE...them.

The world is going to hell in a handbasket, and they're worried about what everyone is wearing to the weenie roast in hell!!!

This is what it looks like folks, the death of the lame stream media!

It ain't purty!!!!

I was too broad in the parameters of my question. It's the tone of this piece- associating a woman's appearance, specifically sex appeal, with power to which I reacted so strongly. -More pop culture politics. It disgusts me.

He looked like he wandered off the set of Fargo.

Actually the WP story was one of the first to draw attention to Cheney's attire and the disrespect it demonstrated. Can't provide a link because the Post archives everything more than two weeks old, but it was a column by their fashion writer, Robin Givhan.

Dick Cheney, Dressing Down

>>
Parka, Ski Cap at Odds With Solemnity of Auschwitz Ceremony

By Robin Givhan
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, January 28, 2005; Page C01

At yesterday's gathering of world leaders in southern Poland to mark the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the United States was represented by Vice President Cheney. The ceremony at the Nazi death camp was outdoors, so those in attendance, such as French President Jacques Chirac and Russian President Vladimir Putin, were wearing dark, formal overcoats and dress shoes or boots. Because it was cold and snowing, they were also wearing gentlemen's hats. In short, they were dressed for the inclement weather as well as the sobriety and dignity of the event.

The vice president, however, was dressed in the kind of attire one typically wears to operate a snow blower.
....
<<

The photo:

http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/images/I43195-2005Jan27L

The WaPo Ombusdman got letters about the article.

In the Eye of the Beholder

>>
By Michael Getler
Sunday, February 6, 2005; Page B06

As the old saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. But sometimes it is worth 600 words. That was the case when the Style section published, at the top of its front page Jan. 28, an Associated Press photo of a row of dignitaries, including Vice President Cheney, at ceremonies at the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland marking the 60th anniversary of the liberation of that camp during the final months of World War II. Along with the photo went a critique of Cheney's outfit by The Post's fashion columnist, Robin Givhan.
....

There was a lot more, and it brought dozens of angry complaints from readers.
....
<<

--IMM

I actually find that writing about a woman in a powerful position in this manner is insulting.

Other post here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1264413

First--how fucking stupid is it that we have to hear about her clothes just because she's a woman? Did we get to hear all about Colin's suits? :eyes:

Second, she still dresses like a Republican (nice gold buttons, Condi), and if that's what the old farts at the WaPo call "sexy" dressing...well.

on edit: Turns out this was written by the fashion editor at WP, so duh, she's going to talk about fashion....Still.

...made me want to hurl.

is in the Washington Post!

I think the MSM is beginning to admire the blogs just a bit too much.

Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, they say. :eyes:

PS, here are a few more shots of her "sexy" outfit (AHH!):



I wish that they'd mention this is her prefered position, and what she likes to look like while in it!:

and I thought that Paris Hilton led a vapid existence...

the print edition indicates it will be found in the "Style" section of the WP...the same section where all the comics can be found.

Robin Ghivan is a joke. I've long wondered who she bedded to get her gig.

Man, that black suit and boot combo is just creepy. :scared:

Is Duran Duran back in town?

Holy Wannabe Batman. The Fascist Queen has arrived!

For those clapping for her... Every toilet needs an asshole. That's why you are a Bush supporter.

n/t

From the beginning Hitler had women to help him. They held him back from suicide, they paid off his debts, they worshipped and desired him. HITLER'S WOMEN is a six-part series dedicated to the role of women in Hitler's Reich.

Eva Braun, Magda Goebbels, Winifred Wagner, Leni Riefenstahl and Zara Leander:
none of them fitted the image of women that the Nazis wanted to fix in the German consciousness. They were beautiful, stylish, and talented. Yet how much did these women know about the crimes against humanity committed by the men in their lives? What contribution did they make to the propaganda, to the aura of righteousness which surrounded that murderous regime?

http://www.sbs.com.au/hitlerswomen/

And those boots, did she think she was visiting Lapland? Did Germany just have 2 feet of snow?

Was this tripe ghostwritten by Camille Paglia?

Black is beautiful? Nazi's are beautiful? Or extreme haircuts are beautiful? Or is W looking at me pleasurably?

about Cond*msleaza Rice.

its like having to watch george bush in a double knit polyester leisure suit.

she must have a friend or two that could tell her to dress better

I couldn't find the right link, but this is funny too in a stupid way. http://www.blackmire.com/manufacturing/homeappliances/.

Gyre

:nuke:

and Condi would probably reinforce that.

In this particular case, the picture would be worth somewhat more than the words. :evilgrin:

Anybody?

on edit

Many apologies to Placebo, I didn't catch post 11. They are quite dominatrix.

(And, yes, a picture is worth a thousand words. And I think we have several volumes here.)

...only to fail in NYC, and have to go running back to Planet Dowdy (DC)?

And while I think this article would have have been offensive to women 20 years ago, at this point it comes across as just plain stupid.

Definitely not Secretary of State material. But, what can we say, she doing PR, not actual diplomacy.

And "The Erotic Appeal of High Heels" -- what in the world?

As a heterosexual male, yes, a truly Manly Man, I find high heels about as erotic as using styrofoam cups as earrings. And although Condi herself has certain esthetic charms, she isn't a model, she's an agent of the Government. An agent of the People.

Of course, the real question is why we tolerate our Secretary of State, warts and all, to be trivialed as a fashion plate. This goes far afield of "patriarchy" and straight into stupidity. And absurdity. (Would that be "abstupity"?)

Long ago I reconciled myself to the fact that I am likely to spend the rest of my life scratching my head with no shortage of puzzling nonsense to ponder.

--p!

visit. It has nothing whatsoever to do with her being a woman or whatnot (I don't like those kind of reports either).

It has everything to do with her being a foreign minister who is representing her country abroad. And she is wearing something that reminds 1) of a military uniform and 2) of a Dominatrix. The first thing that came to my mind when I saw the picture was "we are the masters" - which exactly mirrors the way the Bushistas have conducted themselves in Europe. Actually I was looking where she had the whip when I saw it.

There are international standards as to what to wear at these occasions (exception: wearing a national costume). What Rice is wearing is suggestive of a Nazi wet dream.


-----------------------------

Remember Fallujah

Bush to The Hague!

There is abwsolutely nothing accidental about this outfit. I would be willing to bet that Rice has a stylist that carefully fashioned her "look" for this trip according to the image Bushco wishes her to represent.

These people LOVE images, and costumes have proven to be a big part of the image they wish the public to see and absorb. What is frightening is that they are apparently intentionally going for the subtle Nazi look and feel.

On another subject, in anyone else creeped out by the marketing of Budweiser Beer in retro 1936 cans? They have a Nazi look. All they need is a swastika.

not the proper attire for the Sec. of State. Another painful example of
the arrogance, rudeness and total disregard for protocol this group has. Remember cheney's clothes at the Auzwich memorial?

My husband loves them. :evilgrin: I find them rather painful to wear.

I do like her outfit. I don't know why you all are criticizing it. I guess I am just partial to black and high-heeled boots. I have several pairs.

?????

is a threesome I'd rather not contemplate.

in that outfit? After all, didn't Hitler's minions wear similar boots?

This is such a stupid article the Washington Post should be ashamed to call themselves a newspaper.

How many articles did they do on Madeline Albright's clothes? Oh, that's right - she actually had intellect so they didn't have to focus on her clothes.

- as this article is pure journalistic crap. I've no doubt that the author of this fluff piece probably has the same outfit in her closet.

I work and shop within the metropolitan DC/VA area and Condi is dressed like every store window within 30 miles. This seemed to be the year for the pointy black boot (which I refused to buy as I don't like them but they are the only dress boot available from Penny's to Sak's) and black coats have long been considered almost a business attire uniform.

Seems to me the loudest message here is that Condi buys off the rack.

Condi...she's one scary ......

What a month. first, we get a WH "reporter" who's really a male whore who specializes in "Rough Trade", and now Condom-Sleezie the Dominatrix...

So what was the point of this piece? we're supposed to lust after Rice because of the way her high-heel jackboots makes her ass stick out instead of admiring her mind?

Too early in the AM to wrap my brain around this. My other head keeps yelling "Oh, YEAH! Condi in a bustier and black leather garter belt!"...

The press knows Murkans love to read shit that is shallow, unsubstantive, and not pertinent to the bigger picture, that is, the literal dismantling of our country. And yes, this article is SHIT.

BFD whatever Condi is wearing. What is she and her wayword boss doing to screw the nation?

:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

This "sexy" incompetent should be in the brig.

forgive me but I think she looks pretty good. Also, Madeline Albright used her wardrobe to make "non-verbal" comments to people. She had a huge collection of scatter pins that she used to make statements to people, i.e., doves, American eagle, etc. Maybe clothes don't mean a lot to some people but they are to some people.

It's her heart that's the problem. And she has good taste in boots. :)

for power suits and fancy pins. Intellectually and integrity-wise: No comparison.

has chicks, too! We're not wholly obsessed with gay male prostitutes. Really. No, we mean it. See...we dressed her up and trotted her out just so you could see how manly we all are. Er. Yeah. That's it. We're manly men, every last one of us. Even Condi."

This article is full of praise for the feminine erotic. It's linking women with sex, and more significantly, women in this administration with sex. It's either very subtly underscoring the fact that the last few weeks' worth of sex linked to this administration have been of the gay male escort variety, or it's a blatant attempt to distract the titillated public from the hustler in the press room and link the administration to a more acceptable sexiness in its feminine members. And it certainly wouldn't work with Pickles, so it was Condi they picked. They're dressing her in sex and power, because in reality, she has little power, at least within the administration if she decides to go independent like Powell did, nor does she have much power in sex in an overcontrolling environment so full of masculine fear as the * administration.

Just for the record--I like the outfit. I don't think it's that reminiscent of a dominatrix; but it really does bear an uncanny resemblance to Keanu's duds (not so sure about the implications in that--do you really want your Sec o State to be associated with, "Whoa--I know kung fu?"). I'd probably wear it to work on a special day, or out to a dinner with my hubby (and keep the boots on afterward :P ). But I buy off the rack, I'm pretty much a nobody, and if I were somebody, I'd not be wearing it at an international event. I'd go classic and understated, so that people would take me seriously rather than being mesmerized by my buttons. My dazzling accessory would be my brain, keen understanding, and empathy. Not my shiny b*tch-boots.

You know, the Imperial Death March.

I think Rice is handling the apparel situation well, much better than Pickles. Rice looks together and conservative and contemporary in her clothing, which is what she needs. Yes, she is representative of a militaristic dress code, but that fits the agenda of this maladministration.

I think Pickles should consider consulting with Rice on who she uses, if anyone, for advice on clothing, hair, and makeup. Pickles doesn't seem to be able to put together an outfit, her clothes usually don't fit her body type, and her makeup is usually wrong, especially her lip color. Her hair is pretty okay, though, although I think it makes her face look broad.

Do I htink we spend too much time on this? Yeah.

She is a clear and appropriate representation of an inappropriate and possibly insane administration. *shrug*

damn she's got some sexual boots on today! swashbuckling! ARRR MATEY

:puke:

I love the boots. I am wearing similiar ones today, here at work. Why are only what women are wearing always mentioned? How come we never see any of these artciles about men in similar positions?

gotta find a picture..........

I read here often, but seldom post. But this one was too tempting. Trivial pursuit - I don't think so. U.S. Sec of State's attire when in the extreme would draw commentary, especially, in the current era of the push for the New American Century - er - Empire!

I don't usually like the comparisons to 1930's Germany, but, Hitler and his stormtroppers consciously had clothing designed for the expressed purpose of imposing fear of evil intentions. It worked. Black and red (death and blood), skull and cross bones (poison and terror), heavy high black boots - "we will stomp on you."

Their clothes loudly broadcasted what they were up to - killing anyone who got in their way of conquering the world for the sake of the "Fatherland!"

Facist everywhere all seem to have subscribed to the same dark side clothing catalogue. Maybe Mussolini's daughter is advising Condi!

some pulp fiction or indiana jones female villian.
It's almost like she is dressing the part from a comic book.
Hell this whole admin is like a bunch of comic book villians.

circa 1937 regarding the fashion whims of the Nazi party elite.

about the butchery going on, with full awareness there is far more to come, yet the Washington Post has the time to prattle on about Condoleeza Rice's costuming.

I don't think they used to be so utterly worthless, and a waste of space, but maybe I was premature in my view of them.

about her apparel are a subconscious warning.

"touch my hot bod and I'll chew up your gonads and spit them out."

Coulda' fooled me. :eyes:

I thought she just had no control over her facial muscles.

And on behalf of the entire Marine Corps - which isn't something I often do - we have MUCH better taste in women than that :puke:

those marble halls, and almost feel the points of those boots .....i gotta go have a cigarette.

:wtf:

Fashion "news". :puke:

She seems to have a big ego and to enjoy a high profile as revealed by her clothing style. However, that is a double-edged sword as it exposes a woman to much greater scrutiny. Consequently, any incompetence or misrepresentations are likely to be much more noticed. (As an analogy, the biggest part of Carly Fiorinia's fall from grace was how she had put herself on a very high pedestal, only to fall very hard.) So only time will tell if she would have been better served by unassuming boxy suits.

She looks like president of the Michael Jackson fan club.

....cUN+

... but, as far as the tabloid coverage of her clothes goes ... for crying out loud, she's a government figure, not Greta Garbo ...


I can see the WashPost now covering Benjamin Franklin ...

upon arriving in Paris, Mr. Franklin had a commanding appearance ... seen with swept flowing grey hair, wearing a mauve jacket with gold trim, black satin breeches, and jabot and cuffs. ... and, of course, his famous glasses ...


saw the power dress thing in corporate america enough ... nice clothes, nice speech ... where's the substance?

I can't stand Condeleezza Rice due to her corporate neocon brain
and her blatant lies about not blowing off the terrorism threat...

but I'm sorry, who gives a rats ass what she wears and this is
ridiculous because you don't see any males in power having their outfits and "message" analyzed for their "dominatrix" motifs and "sexual power". Good fucking God.

Spare me.

Refuting their point by emphasizing the ugliness of her Wicked Witch coat is not unreasonable.

she exudes sex, power, and Nazism! "fuhrer George lick my... (as she cracks him on his buttocks with her crop)


:wtf: is this how the United States Secretary of State should dess? :puke:

the entire Bush administration springs to mind.

Much better than the prison-matron-stepford-wife-wannabe-coco-chanel-barfed-on-me-hybrid outfits she and every other female repuke normally visually pollute washington in. They usually look like they stepped off some sort of nightmarish low fashion assembly line.

Incidentally, who did Robin Givhan BANG to get a job as staffwriter? What a bunch of crap. It really must have been a slow newsweek if this kind of waste is beefing out the Post.