Where has all the color gone?

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius recently spoke with reporters on c-span about the new health care law, parts of which take affect today. Uncharacteristically for the Secretary, both her clothes and her makeup stuck to a black and white color scheme:

Although we've discussed in the past how the Ms. Sebelius looks best in dusty pastel colors, I actually don't mind the black. She has strong features and can pull it off. But the eyeshadow is doing her no favors. By choose a relatively opaque white shade, she makes the lid look larger and heavier, and the eye itself look smaller and darker. Her usual lavender or taupe would work much better.

Asymmetry is interesting, part 2

Last month we saw great examples of how asymmetry can create visual interest from Carly Fiorina and Kathleen Sebelius. Now the Health and Human Services Secretary has done it again, this time in blue:

The collar, in addition to being asymmetrical, also has some weight to it, adding structure to this short-sleeved top.

I'm not sure that I would have selected the pearl necklace to pair with a top that features big black buttons. I would recommend a think silver chain perhaps. But otherwise, this outfit is a vision.

Asymmetry is interesting

I noticed two nice uses of asymmetry recently. The first was on Secretary Kathleen Sebelius*:

This jacket has an off-center closure, similar to a motorcycle style. The asymmetry creates some visual interest that blends well with her necklace, which has bead spaced very far apart, giving it a modernist feel.

The second example was on Senate candidate Carly Fiorina:

This time, the asymmetry was in the necklace, which gathered beads together in an organic, uneven grouping. The necklace softens the look of a very structured jacket, which could otherwise look severe.

In both of these examples, the asymmetrical details work for the wearer (and not against) because they are:
1. subtle
2. paired with a neutral color palette.

Asymmetry is like animal print. Use it, but sparingly.

*An earlier version of this post used a different clip of Secretary Sebelius, from the same day. This one is a lot easier to see, so I switched it.

Sebelius discusses heath care reform on Meet the Press

I'm sure we'll have a lot to look at from the health care reform debate over the course of this week. For now, let's go back, waayyy back to two weeks ago, when Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius went on Meet the Press to discuss the process. She wore blue:

As we've noted before, the Secretary looks best in cool, muted colors like this dusty blue. What I noticed right away, though, was her brooch in the shape of a dove.

Does it look familiar? It looks a lot like the one Madeleine Albright wore in an official portrait. As we know, Secretary Albright has an enormous collection of brooches and pins, which she actually used to send diplomatic messages. Was Sebelius trying to send a message here? Peace in the health care reform debate?

Kathleen Sebelius: A Color Comparison

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius discussed health insurance reform last week. She wore magenta:


This is a lot of color for her. If you're not sure, give it the "attention" test. Where does your eye rest when you look at her? On her face, or down on her jacket? I see the jacket. The Secretary can wear saturated colors, but she does better when they are cool and more muted.

Look at this example, when she spoke at Hunter College recently on the H1N1 vaccine:


This cool blue/green color is much less distracting. It's not that we don't see the jacket, it's just that we don't focus on it. This is also a great example of how to wear color and still look winter-appropriate.

Sebelius testifies on health care proposals in 2011 budget

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius testified before the Senate Finance Committee last week on the 2011 budget. She wore pinstripes:

The key to this outfit is the pink shell under her jacket. It warms up her face and keeps the pinstripes from looking too harsh. Pearls and a brooch also provide feminine influence.