Shine doesn't make you a star

It's holiday time, and it's easy to start focusing on what you'll wear for the parties each evening while losing sight of how those looks translate into day wear.

Have a look at the blazer Rep. Carolyn Maloney chose for an appearance on New York's Capital Tonight:

This shiny silver jacket is straight off a "day to night" page in a magazine.

But multipurpose dressing often doesn't translate well for television. Items that you can get away with in normal daylight look much less appropriate under the strong lights needed for television cameras. The effect is a lot of light being reflected back at us, distracting from Rep. Maloney's face and message.

Congressional Apparel Manufacturing and Fashion Business Caucus

With all the fun of health care reform week, we didn't get the chance to mention the formation of the Congressional Apparel Manufacturing and Fashion Business Caucus. The first big issue for this group of lawmakers will be intellectual property rights and design piracy. But I'm sure you're wondering what I'm wondering: Are these Congressmen more fashionable than the rest?

The caucus will be chaired by representatives from New York and California, the two states with the largest apparel industries. It's a good thing they're representing the interests of their constituents, because their individual looks, well....

Carolyn Maloney in all-over tweed:

The jacket or the skirt, ok, but both together is a lot of texture for one lady.

Jerrold Nadler in pinstripes:

A classic look, very nice. And no flag tie!

Diane E. Watson in earthtones:

I like the print and variation in this look. But she might benefit from a more sheer lip color.

Overall, the caucus chairs fare no better and no worse in selecting their wardrobes. Maybe working with the fashion industry will give them a little boost!