An alert pigeon sent me a link to this article (sorry, Alert Pigeon! I can’t find the e-mail so I can’t credit you! I hope you’ll identify yourself in the comments so I can thank you by name) awhile ago and it is spot on the money for our conversation here.
The article is about the changing image of women on the news, which PeaceBang has noticed every time she gets her nails done and watches the local news (which she does not do very often when she’s not at her nail salon, preferring to get her news on-line and by radio). These news gals are dressed like, you should forgive the expression, hoochie mamas, prompting PeaceBang to mutter “she looks like she’s going out clubbing after she reads the headlines.”
The hair and make-up are glammy, which isn’t a bad thing. But paired with the Frederick’s Of Hollywood outfits, it’s all distracting and depressing. Is this how women get jobs on television now? Dumb question, I know. But I give a shout out to veteran newswoman Victoria Block for refusing to participate in this trend, although I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to style her because I don’t think she’s choosing the most flattering look for herself in the hair color department. But she’s smart and she’s got gravitas and she’s good at her job. I suppose that doesn’t count for much when the network is going for ratings over substance. “Hire the hotties!” seems to be the new mantra. But excuse me, Mr. Network Producer, could you instruct those talented hotties not to dress in such a way as to allow me to believe that this gal isn’t one inch of a skirt away from pneumonia? I worry.
Here’s Norah O’Donnell of CBS in the classic “As you can see from my awkward body language, I am obviously preoccupied with keeping my lady parts covered in this scanty little screaming red dress. Therefore, I have achieved two sad goals: I have sexualized myself to the extent that my over-exposed body is the first thing I communicate to anyone who sees me, broadcasting not so much the news but my willingness to be exploited in this way, and to exploit myself. Second, I can’t focus on my job because I’m trying to cover myself to preserve some modicum of self-respect and privacy.”
Again, again and I say again, this Hot Mama Look isn’t about being beautiful, strong and liberated. It’s about buying into the sexism that permeates our culture. Attire that upstages your competence and intelligence and that compromises your dignity is never liberating or beautiful.
And as Judy W. just posted in the comments, NO SLEEVELESS DRESSES IN THE PULPIT, EVER. EVER.
There has to be a beautiful, embodied and emboldened look for all of us somewhere between the de-sexed, boxy Power Suit and the Disco Dress. You know you’ve achieved it when you feel totally fabulous, beautiful, powerful and not playing by the rules of that ridiculous sexist game.
Hmmmmm… I don’t watch much tv news either, but maybe this trend accounts for a phrase I’ve been hearing recently: “news bunnies.”
I’ve also been struck when I’ve seen the news show that features two men sitting on either side of a woman, all on a couch (can’t remember network – and think if I could, I wouldn’t advertise it here), just how much the woman is MINIMIZED in that setting. The men are wearing bulky, dark, big-shouldered suits, sitting with their legs straight out. The woman is wearing a tight, bright, sleeveless dress, sitting with legs crossed and elbows in. And she’s TINY, while the men are average-sized; the men look like people I might meet at the grocery store, while the woman looks like someone on a magazine cover.
So, in addition to the going-clubbing-after-reading-the-headlines look (exactly!), there’s the “women can’t be noticed unless they’re on the verge of disappearing” look. I tell you, it makes me nostalgic for the Connie Chung era, droopy-tie blouses and all.
Wow, “news bunnies”. I am old enough to remember when most news reporters were men, and how exciting it was that women were breaking in and you heard a female voice telling us what happened and why it was important. This trend not only devalues the women but the news itself. I have never grasped how any woman could relax in a professional situation while showing that much cleavage. There are still plenty of men to whom I have longed to say, “Hey Buddy! Eyes up here!” ::Snaps fingers over head:: How do women even function with all that staring going on?
Question: If you are wearing a light, summery dress that covers you from neck to ankles (form-fitting, but shows no skin) but has no sleeves, is it permissible to wear it in the pulpit without a wrap on a hot day? Usually, when I wear it on a Sunday I have a very light, lacy bolero jacket to put over it to keep the shoulders covered, but on really hot days even that is oppressive. [I know, I know, and it’s awful to be that hot. But even in an informal setting I feel that armpits and preaching are just really inappropriate together. You know what I found? A super lightweight cotton jacket with floaty arms that wraps loosely around the waist. It doesn’t weigh a thing against the skin and it covers the shoulders. – PB]
I’ve noticed the dress trend on The Good Wife where they mix them up with powers suits. The Good Wife and Scandal demo my preferred wardrobe. I noticed how tight the newscaster dresses are and many of the sleeveless dresses show a lot of pit. This also means they’ve gone back to super skinny girls. Ugh! I like sheaths but I wear them with jackets. I will take off my jacket in the classroom – not with a clergy collar unless I’m in Hawaii which has different rules.
I’ve noticed this too. Either the women newscasters look like they are in an Easter dress (floral sheath–even in fall–and pastel cardigan) or they look as if they’ve walked off the set of Desperate Housewives. It is very unsettling, all the exposed flesh. It’s so minimizing, actually violating of them. The men all wear suits and do look so much more imposing. Have we all forgotten that the people with the most clothes have the most power? Everytime I flip past Fox news in particular I’m reminded of Princess Leia chained to Jabba the Hut.
Ruth Marcus, whom I frequently agree with, agrees with you, PB! Take a look at this: http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ruth-marcus-is-paula-broadwells-wardrobe-fair-game/2012/11/21/a71dbaf0-3404-11e2-9cfa-e41bac906cc9_story.html
When I originally read this, I intended to write a message to Marcus and tell her about your blog, but I never got A Round Tuit. Perhaps you’d like to introduce yourself?
Ruth, meet Peace Bang!
The TV journalist whose on-air wardrobe I like is Gwen Ifill. (Washington Week in Review)
I second Rev. Dr. Gafney’s mention of The Good Wife. I like the character Diane Lockhart’s wardrobe the best, including some of the large statement jewelry pieces.
In my area, the words “news bimbo” or “weather bimbo” are unfortunately far too descriptive of the impressions given by the wardrobes of the women on local news or weather.