FASHION AND POLITICS

Welcome back to Courtney Awesome. Because we like to keep things topical and it's been all politics politics politics lately we've asked Courtney for her take on the best and worst dressers in the world of politics...

I love fashion and I don't get politics. Because I'm shallow and ignorant. What I do get is the occasional bad chill down my spine when I see pollies dressed in garbage. Come on, how are you going to inspire the publics' faith in you, if you look like you spent all night screwing us out of our tax dollars then fell into a cardboard box of old school formal suits from the Salvos?

It seems in politics, if you hold the title, you have almost no chance of looking good. But if you marry in to politics - you have it going on!

The First Ladies have always had some amazing style. Jackie O is still a major style icon, named dropped by anyone worth their oversized glasses and pearls. Jackie O wasn't the prettiest dame in the classic sense but the brought it with her epic style. A classic. An icon. A First Lady.

Carla Bruni? First Lady of France? Amazing. Sure, she was a model but seriously - so is Jordan technically. Carla rose above all the scandals the Euro trash tabs could throw at her by looking stunning in Dior and Chanel and hot. Even the ex wife is a front row feature of the Parisian catwalks!

Michelle Obama is the latest first lady to rock the vote and our fashion boats. For a sister, her style is flawless. She still has some Chicago flair but she has taken a leaf out of the Oprah book of style and pulls everything together with elegance and grace.
Even Tyra has her posed for Harpers Bazar! Not that Tyra is the epitome of class. Michelle's red dress on election night was rad! Speaking of dresses in American politics, who could forget Monica Lewinsky and her infamous fuck up with her dry cleaner.

Hilary is no style maven, she failed the first lady rule and that hair cut is so tired its almost just passed out on her head. Her and Bill were quite the stylish pair back in their youth. Maybe in their chess club. Bet he passed out from the smell of her patchouli and thats how she trapped him.

But with good and change, sometimes there is actually no hope... like poor old Sarah Palin and her $250,000 wardrobe full of Valentino suits and Manolo Blahniks but honestly, she didn't work it. It kinda reminded me of Julia Robert's in Pretty Woman.. Except Julia had more class. Sarah couldn't even name a magazine! Bitch, they usually have Vogues to read at the free clinic, drop the hunting guides and learn some.
Still, that's a damn lot of money to spend on someone who would have looked the same head to toe in target corporate. I think it was the hair do that threw me....soo chat. My mum says she looks like a Mary Kay lady.

Back on the home turf, its hard to think of the fashionable few, because there are none.

Maybe Therese Rein gets a pass, but she is her own woman, hear her roar!! Lady is not afraid of a bit of colour and taste and she obvs spends her personal fortunes on some threads. Bonus points! She pulls together a little more glam than say... Julia Gillard.
Julia Gillard looks like she goes to a barber. She looks like she gets her suits off the rack. Off the clearance rack that is. Its boring lady! Come on! Yes, you wanna play in the boys club but seriously, you don't have to dress like shit?

Throughout history politics haven't given us only bad moves and eyesores . The Romans gave us gladiator sandals! That said, they were smart enough NOT to punish themselves with 5 inch heels on the bottom. If Caesar saw them today, he'd give them a thumbs down. The Greeks gave us togas, and Grecian inspired dresses, worn by everyone from Naomi Watts to Angelia Jolie. and democracy! kudos Greeks!

Abe Lincoln was a bit of a trend setter wasn't he? How many boys at it with vests and dapper hats these days? Hello, civil war chic! Who doesn't love the hat and sweet ruffle shirts.
At least we can be grateful that for as long as there is democracy, there will be smart people with fancy cars and terrible dress sense to laugh at. YAY!!

CA