I'm not sure what to make of this...

Condoleezza Rice's commanding clothes

Top diplomat eschews typical female attire for sexy, 'Matrix' look

WASHINGTON - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived at the Wiesbaden Army Airfield on Wednesday dressed all in black. She was wearing a black skirt that hit just above the knee, and it was topped with a black coat that fell to mid-calf. The coat, with its seven gold buttons running down the front and its band collar, called to mind a Marine's dress uniform or the "save humanity" ensemble worn by Keanu Reeves in "The Matrix."

As Rice walked out to greet the troops, the coat blew open in a rather swashbuckling way to reveal the top of a pair of knee-high boots. The boots had a high, slender heel that is not particularly practical. But it is a popular silhouette because it tends to elongate and flatter the leg. In short, the boots are sexy.

Rice boldly eschewed the typical fare chosen by powerful American women on the world stage. She was not wearing a bland suit with a loose-fitting skirt and short boxy jacket with a pair of sensible pumps. She did not cloak her power in photogenic hues, a feminine brooch and a non-threatening aesthetic. Rice looked as though she was prepared to talk tough, knock heads and do a freeze-frame "Matrix" jump kick if necessary. Who wouldn't give her ensemble a double take -- all the while hoping not to rub her the wrong way?

Rice's coat and boots speak of sex and power -- such a volatile combination, and one that in political circles rarely leads to anything but scandal. When looking at the image of Rice in Wiesbaden, the mind searches for ways to put it all into context. It turns to fiction, to caricature. To shadowy daydreams. Dominatrix! It is as though sex and power can only co-exist in a fantasy. When a woman combines them in the real world, stubborn stereotypes have her power devolving into a form that is purely sexual.

(I've included about half the article)

Is the author right? Or should she just open a Condi stalker site?

eta: Author's name is Robin. Boys aren't named Robin anymore, are they?

Well, Condi's new clothes go a long way toward explaining the hold she has over George Bush.

I do appreciate the fact that a female politician is breaking the norm of ugly "power suits." It's a very big fashion statement.

tommyrot, Robin Gihvan is the Washington Post's style reporter. She's also the same one who wrote the article about the Veep and his poor choice of outerwear at Auschwitz.

Regardless of what I think of Secretary Rice, she looked good. The article doesn't strike me as unusual.

Well, all I can say is, boxy suits are the best thing that ever happened to Madeleine Albright; if she's tried to pull off the Matrix-wear, tragedy might have ensued. Also, by all accounts, she did not need to intimidate with her clothes; she could skewer a guy just by looking.

I do think it's pretty weird how much attention Rice's clothes get, though. Like, I know she's a woman and therefore everybody has to bring up the fact she's a woman, but that's more detail than I could tell you about what I am wearing today myself, you know?

I note that oral-sex-with-condom is the preferred safe sex version, and it would not seem too outre -- if indeed a bit fussy -- if a lady doctor insisted on Very Safe Fellatio. Note that the aftermath of such a thing is usually the disposal of the rubber in the nearest garbage receptacle.

The only comparable female's fashion I can think of is Madeline Albright. Well, and Margaret Thatcher. Who are Condi's fashion contemporaries?

Note that the aftermath of such a thing is usually the disposal of the rubber in the nearest garbage receptacle.

That, or out the car window.

What?

Who are Condi's fashion contemporaries?

Other women politicians -- Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, ...

Who are Condi's fashion contemporaries?

I dunno. She's in her middle 40s, and all I can think of are women a decade or more older, and Hollywood people, who don't count. I suppose part of it all is that Rice is slim, and likes to show off that part.

Which, you know what? I bet that the person who waxes the Secretary of State's legs has to have security clearance. Heh heh heh.