Senator Boxer goes minty fresh

Senator Boxer spoke at a Democratic press conference last week about proposed changes to Medicare and the debt ceiling. Her jacket was mint green:


This is a tough color to wear, for anyone, and I'm not sure that I would recommend it for Senator Boxer in particular. There are two features of this outfit that help rescue it though:

1. The relaxed silhouette of the jacket - too much tailoring makes unusual colors look even more strange.
2. The French blue shirt she paired it with - placing a color that is within your recommended palette closest to your face helps you wear more challenging colors further away.

How to wear gray

Senator Boxer spoke on the Senate floor this week about Planned Parenthood and women's health. She wore a gray blouse under a pink blazer:


This combination works so well on the Senator because the contrast between the shades of pink and gray is low, similar to the low contrast between her skin and hair color. The heathered variation of the gray blouse makes this a less formal look (as do the big hoop earrings) but the structured jacket keeps her looking appropriate for the Senate.

It isn't summer yet

Rep. Shelley Moore Capito made remarks on the House floor this week about Energy Department funding. She wore a tangerine blazer and a black top:

This color is unexpected for a professional setting, and mostly distracting, especially in the middle of winter. Bright pastels, when appropriate at all, are typically a summer look. It's also tough to pair such a light pastel color with a harsh, solid black layer underneath.

Go with the flow

There are two ways to beat the heat in July and August: Expose more skin (not recommended) or make your clothes lighter and more flowy. UN Ambassador Susan E. Rice chose the latter:

"Mint green pantsuit" doesn't sound like a great choice. But I'm hard pressed to dislike this outfit. It fits well and the colors work for her. Most of all she looks comfortable. Not "I feel like I'm wearing my pajamas comfortable" but rather comfortable in her own skin, with her own look. Sometimes that's the most important thing: know your style. It sort of reminds me of Rosa DeLauro.

Pastels can be powerful

Pastel colors don't work for everyone. We know that. But if pastels are in your color palette (have you booked that color analysis consultation yet?) they're a great choice for summer. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison shows us how it's done:

The Senator makes spearmint into a power color by wearing it in a very structured jacket. The prominent shoulders are a subtle but effective nod to the '80s fashion moment we're having this year. She stands out against her male colleagues in the background in just the right way.

Color for color

Nikki Haley is headed into a runoff after yesterday's Republican primary for South Carolina Governor. At a recent appearance at a Tea Party rally, she gave us a great example of how women of color should wear pastels:

She chose a shade of peach that is warm like her complexion and just a little bit lighter than her skin color. These two elements combine to make her skin look creamy and radiant. She looks healthy - a major bonus for any candidate, especially one whose youth and vibrancy are assets to be emphasized.