Day or evening?

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake held a press conference this week on her ten year fiscal forecast.  She wore gray: http://youtu.be/oNEfEN9kRgo


This would be a really lovely look for an evening out to dinner or the theater. This cool gray compliments the Mayor's skin tone, and the necklace hits her first balance point perfectly. But the richness of having multiple textures and patterns, a grosgrain ribbon edge to the jacket, and shiny rhinestones on the necklace take this outfit out of the "work" space and into something more social. The high neckline keeps us out of "date night with Fox" territory, but I would have still recommended a much more businesslike look for such a businesslike subject.

Baltimore Brilliance

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced her "neighborhood mom" contest last week. She wore a beige blazer and multi-strand pearl necklace: http://youtu.be/QZBSXPU_J-o

The mayor seems to have really hit her stride with her style in 2012. The contrasting piping on her jacket helps give definition to a garment that could otherwise look bland. Her makeup is present but tasteful, the necklace is bold but sophisticated and not too distracting (a problem she was having earlier in her term). This look is an example for us all.

Small change, big impact

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is sporting a new hairstyle. Check it out in the this video message about Baltimore's mentoring program:

This shorter cut looks great on her.  It's neat and it highlights her cheekbones. Her jewelry also works really well here. She's wearing multiple necklaces in different styles, but she has scaled down the size from previous looks, delivering a more professional effect.

All very good. Is Mayor Rawlings-Blake reading Style of Politics???

A bold look for early voting

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake recently announced early voting in October. She wore very bold jewelry:

Few people could pull off this bold necklace, but the Mayor has the strong features to make it work. But the large hoop earrings send the look over the edge - the necklace needs to be the sole focal point.

What's your favorite piece of statement jewelry? Do you wear it to work?

Catch a wave

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake released a PSA for her city's annual Back to School Rally. This being summer, she wore seersucker:

The mayor isn't moving, but her jacket sure is - the stripes are waving back at us from the screen. Friendly, perhaps, but also super distracting.

If you're devoting the time and resources to sit down and record a video message this carefully, do some test shots with your clothes and hair before you commit to the final cut.