women, politics, and style

Sex, politics and religion…three topics that should be avoided, right? Except how can we avoid politics in the throes of such a dynamic election cycle? This is becoming the script that writes itself week to week and just when you think it can’t continue in such absurdity any longer, it does! So I’m jumping in and lightly weighing in on women, politics, and style. 

Usually I am unaffected by the early debates leading up to the primaries but Donald Trump’s lash out at Megyn Kelly undoubtedly set the tone for what has become a Hollywood-like docudrama. The cast of characters has been nothing short of dynamic where the writers at SNL may feel they have been trumped by reality. Megyn Kelly has already become a topic of conversation over our Sunday meals with my parents. In a nutshell, the consensus finds that she is a very effective political commentator who can hold her own while looking nothing short of great.

Whether or not you are a fan, Megyn has established herself as a professional who is not afraid to ask the tough questions without compromising her style. In a city filled with bureaucracy that in my opinion has kept women restricted in their choices of attire, I see progress. Choosing to remain unapologetic for doing her job and ignoring the banter that ensued around the Trump-Kelly face off played out in the media with Megyn taking front-and-center stage on the cover of Vanity Fair with a chic new hair style. I love a good drop-the-mic moment and feel as though she delivered an iconic “how do you like me now?” leaving no pigtails to pull.

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Some of you may know Mercy Schlapp. Mercy and I have been working together for a while now. We do everything from closet purges, finding casual summer outfits for her family vacations to Miami, to professional attire for her stints as a political commentator on Fox. Right after the new year, Mercy texted me and explained she had a very important interview at Fox where the outfit needed to be “beyond fabulous.”

 Black and white shift dress, available at Kiskadee; shoes and jewelry at The Shoe Hive.

Black and white shift dress, available at Kiskadee; shoes and jewelry at The Shoe Hive.

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I channeled what she had to convey, scanned my sources, and effectively delivered her a hands down “you’re hired!” moment in record time. No one wants to go into an interview wondering if they are dressed appropriately. I assured her that the outfit would be the last thing on her mind so she could leave it all on the table to establish herself as the candidate they should hire. And they did! Last night Fox made it official by announcing Mercy as a permanent part of their Fox family. Congratulations to Mercy! Celebrating in others’ accomplishments is a wonderful perk to my job.

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I tell my clients to find their role models in style. This holds true for professional attire as well. Dressing for the job you desire to have will expedite your career goals. Interview dressing is about making a solid impression. Clean silhouettes with minimal distractions will keep the focus on you and your qualifications. Once you’ve landed the role, consider how this will impact the other choices in your wardrobe. Casual work events are still an opportunity for you to shine by not deviating too far from how your colleagues understand you in your professional role.

Nicole Miller two-piece outfit, available at Kiskadee; shoes and jewelry at The Shoe Hive.

Nicole Miller two-piece outfit, available at Kiskadee; shoes and jewelry at The Shoe Hive.

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Alicia was born and raised in Alexandria, and married a local boy. She is happily married and the mother of two amazing children and one adorable and terribly smart border terrier named Dixie. Alicia has always known she was a creative. She collected editions of Vogue from junior high on and has always loved clothing and design. She studied interior design at VCU and parlayed that degree into commercial interior design, the web design, and ultimately found herself managing a local boutique and serving as a stylist to many Alexandrian women. She now has a successful full-time styling business, The Tulle Box, and makes it her business to make her clients feel great about themselves and the way they look.

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