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WaPo - Condoleezza Rice’s Commanding Clothes, by Robin Givhan

Rice boldly eschewed the typical fare chosen by powerful American women on the world stage. She was not wearing a bland suit with a loose-fitting skirt and short boxy jacket with a pair of sensible pumps. She did not cloak her power in photogenic hues, a feminine brooch and a non-threatening aesthetic. Rice looked as though she was prepared to talk tough, knock heads and do a freeze-frame “Matrix” jump kick if necessary. Who wouldn’t give her ensemble a double take — all the while hoping not to rub her the wrong way?

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.

As I’m writing this, I’m listening to the top-of-the-hour news, and Condi was mentioned signing some anti-missile agreement with some Russian, I think.

How refreshing is it that a woman in politics doesn’t have to be ashamed of being a woman?

Rice’s appearance at Wiesbaden — a military base with all of its attendant images of machismo, strength and power — was striking because she walked out draped in a banner of authority, power and toughness. She was not hiding behind matronliness, androgyny or the stereotype of the steel magnolia. Rice brought her full self to the world stage — and that included her sexuality. It was not overt or inappropriate. If it was distracting, it is only because it is so rare.

Update: Via Tim Blair, blaster picked up his paper and sees her on the front page:

Blaster’s Blog - Dr. Rice Enters the Matrix

I don’t think that anyone, anywhere, could ask for better imagery. Just look at the placement it got. Even more interesting, there is not a story about the Secretary of State on the front page.

Applauding soldiers, the American flag, stylish in all black - those boots are made for walking, no doubt. I know the editorial board over at the Post loved General Powell, but he never got anything like this.

Yeah, I love and respect Mr Powell as well, but I don’t think I would want to see him in those boots.

Update:

Hey Michelle Malkin readers! Thanks for the link. Michelle!

Michelle says:

Whatever. Black is also the color of suits that travel well. And long boots keep legs warm in winter. Nothing “menacing” or “Dominatrix!” about it.

Except that’s not really why people are so excited, I think. Westerners in general and Americans in particular have lost the art of dressing. You can say a lot with what you wear, and yet all we’re capable of now is either “I’m a nice person,” or “Sleep with me, hottie.” Politicians always go for the “I’m a nice person” with their nice suits and sensible heels, tame hairstyles, because they don’t want to look too feminine, because that’s somehow weak. Except it isn’t. Condi knows how to dress for effect, and she has, and pretending she’s asexual isn’t part of that. That’s why Robin picked apart what her clothes were saying. It’s refreshing.