The Presidential Election, But More Importantly, What the Women are Wearing.

One of the things that is on the forefront of American news right now is the upcoming Presidential election. The Democratic and Republican National Conventions have already taken place, the candidates have announced their running mates, countless interviews and speeches have been given, and the race for President is well under way. However, what I find to be most interesting about this year's race is the focus and attention that the families of the candidates, in particular the wives, have been getting. Michelle Obama has been in the news for the past several years for giving speeches, for hosting events to support her Let's Move! initiative (http://www.letsmove.gov/), but most commonly  for her choice in clothing! Recently the Today show posted an article quenching American women's fears- don't fret, Michelle Obama's DNC dress will soon be available for sale! 

http://thelook.today.com/_news/2012/09/06/13703094-tracy-reese-michelle-obamas-dnc-dress-will-hit-shelves

Why is it that these women are receiving so much attention for what they wear? Nobody commented on President Obama's choice in shirt or tie, or Mitt Romney's suit color? So why is it that the New York Times wrote an entire article about Ann Romney's red dress?



http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/30/fashion/ann-romneys-dress-by-oscar-de-la-renta-starts-the-conversation.html

I understand why some people would be interested to see what the candidates' wives are wearing, sure, it's a lighthearted way to connect with the candidates and their families on an extremely superficial level. It makes them more accessible as real people and seem less like celebrities to be able to share a dress in common, or make your own decision about whether or not you agree with their sense of style. But why is there so much talk about it? Why is it that women in the political spotlight receive so  much attention for what they wear? 

It honestly doesn't make sense to me! Are we, as Americans, really that obsessed with image that we look at our possible future First Lady and all we can see is taffeta? That when Michelle Obama is standing by her husband's side as he makes his inauguration speech, all we notice is that she made a bold choice by wearing yellow?



In my opinion, women in the media are almost always regarded in a different light than men. Women are immediately judged based on their appearance, whereas men oftentimes will first be noticed for a different quality. Americans hold women to different, higher standards than they do men, though our gender stereotypes and the idea of women as solely intended for domestic purposes has long passed, somewhere in our subconcious we still hold the notion that women should be pretty and proper and presentable, and so when looking at candidates to represent and lead our nation, all we can see in their wives is their appearance. There are several youtube videos, even, that are dedicated solely to the comparison of Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Romney's choice in National Convention wardrobes... 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLbRu8XRnd8

Michelle Obama did an amazing job with her speech at the Democratic National Convention, but it's a shame to me that what most people are talking about is her pink and grey silk.