Any media piece on a female politician usually has a comment about her appearance or clothes. In the event that she is someone who follows fashion and wears designer brands, the media stops giving her any credit for intelligence and political capabilities. Helle Thorning-Schmidt, Denmark's first female Prime Minister has been nicknamed ''Gucci Helle' by the media due to her preference for designer clothes. The same media never seems to investigate the brand preferences of male politicians. Another classic example of such stereotyping by the media is Hina Rabbani Khar, the Pakistani Minister of foreign affairs. Does this reflect the inherent sexism of the media? Dont female politicians have the right to follow fashion without being judged as 'incapable'?
The BBC profile on Helle Thorning-Schmidt
Clothes Make The Man. But What About The Woman?
I thought this was interesting seeing that it is very true for women in most professions, not only politicians. The way a female dresses usually impacts the way she is viewed by the media, employers, and others. Just because a woman has a taste in fashion has no impact on her intelligence or political/professional capabilities. The media's portrayal of women in politics being less intelligent due to what they wear is sexism within the media. Women should be able to dress how they choose and not be judged solely on what they are wearing.