It was just a habit.). She couldnt imagine a winter without her favorite cardigans. When the weather is hot, they may wear shorts and a tank top. Do they slip their winter coats on over their bare arms? There is no universal dress code for news anchors, as each station or network may have guidelines. Since Carlsons lawsuit, other women have also told The Huffington Post about the harassment theyve faced from Ailes. Fashion is often likened to armor, but at Fox News under Roger Ailes, it was more often used as a punchline. I had my hair cut very short, like Winona Ryder, Couric recalls of one disastrous episode when she went from short to severe. A version of this article originally appeared in the December 2017 issue of Allure. Staying wrinkle-free is tough. The Fox News woman is very put together. People are always trying to appear smaller when they are uncomfortable or vulnerable. Then, the camera takes us inside the wardrobe closet where a flurry of attractive women are cherry-picking jewel-toned minidresses off a rack, all the same shape and silhouette. Sidefeel Women Sweet Scallop Pleated Skater Dress, $14-$26, Amazon, Wang compiled photos of her fellow newscasters wearing the garment on a U.S. map, calling it a sisterhood of the Amazon dress.. Shes now a Congressional Correspondent for NY1/Spectrum News in Washington D.C., but before that, Eva McKend spent three years as the only black, female, on-air news anchor in Burlington, Vermont. One exception is Alex Wagner on MSNBC. These are the kind of women who take pride in saying things like Im not into fashion I like style, and by style they mean clothes that men like me to wear. Janet Flora, a makeup artist for CNBCs Closing Bell and a frequent makeup artist on the Today show, is among the many who point out: It appears to my trained eye, Fox News they simply wear much too much makeup. Which is a delicate way of putting it. And no orange. Sex sells, and that goes for TV news as well. It is also important to consider the type of story they are writing. I personally feel as though there has been an evolution in a progressive, positive, direction when it comes to the way women look on television," says Melas. As more and morefemales were hired and climbed the ladder, I believe dresses and clothes outside the suit became moreacceptable with the same credibility, she says. I would never have been hired if I were wearing an Afro, she recalls. All. Forbes-Bell describes the films scene in which an anchor switches to trousers as being akin to a symbolic bra-burning and says that, despite some modernisation, the rules of workplace dressing often remain steeped in sexism. Its very objectifying to women. You always have dresses for every event, she says. Dimond said shes seen high-profile women in the TV business file a sexual discrimination or age discrimination lawsuit, and they end up not working in the industry every again. I wasnt into the false eyelashes and the short short skirts.. Not all the shows are taped or broadcast from Los Angeles, where its sunny and 75 degrees every day. Some factors that could influence a female news anchor's wardrobe choices include the station's dress code, the type of news being covered, and the anchor's personal style. My hair looked like that? I just looked likelike a slovenly person., Now, as someone who makes regular TV appearances to discuss her reported pieces, Burleighs feelings about spending time in hair and makeup before a TV appearance are mixed. Roach revealed that one of the working titles for Bombshell was Lucite Desk, a reference to Ailess obsession with legs and his penchant for selling salaciousness on air. If you are appearing on a morning show, for example, you will want to dress in a way that is appropriate for the time of day. I had been wearing wigs and weaves, she tells Bustle of her hair style choice when she started the role. I went down in whatever I was wearing. Initially, when Katie Couric came on the CBS Evening News, critics worried that she might slander the nation by displaying too much leg. Why do female meteorologists wear tight dresses? All rights reserved. Why Do Female Newscasters Wear Tight Dresses. You need more energy than the average person to do this job. Starr points out that most morning show hosts are getting their hair and makeup done at 3 or 4 a.m. to be ready for the morning news. The sleeveless sheath dress is frequently worn to local and cable news shows. So our number-one priority is to make the front of your head look good., Bald spot somewhere on a man? I was tired of my 20 years sitting in the makeup room, getting my hair and makeup done, she says. Normal is not exactly what many network executives have in mind for their female on-air news stars, however and these days the news queens they hire and promote are highly attuned to what is expected. And after that, she had even more snipped off. White women are so judgemental and harsh, Starr concludes. Is Healthy Weight Loss Possible for Pasta Lovers? So she booked an appointment at a local salon. Some female news anchors may be required to wear clothing provided by the station or network, while others may be able to choose their own outfits. She and one of her meteorologist friends, WABCs Amy Freeze, swap dresses to keep things fresh. Whats unfortunate is that the overwhelming majority of these women have had to work extremely hard to advance to national television positions only to be pressured to show some skin once they make it. Abrams advises women to wear whatever makes them feel comfortable so they can focus on their jobs. Frankly, I dont know what beachy waves are, she manages finally. Instead of wearing clothes that were prescribed, on-air talent have been selecting wardrobes more in line with what a New York City woman might wear if she had to get a little more dressed up for work, says Starr. We have seasons here in the Midwest. When I see them all lined up as talking heads on the news, I get a rare insight into what it must be like to gaze upon the bar area of one of those private American tennis clubs that dont allow anyone whose name is too urban or ends in -stein or -berg. Hair a mess? Mostly the front of your head is what is seen the most, says stylist Chris Curich, who jumped from Fox to NBC with Megyn Kelly. This got me thinking about the look of American rightwing women in general. Response to grasswire (Reply #4) Tue Apr 15, 2014, 03:56 PM. For larger shows, the talent team is part of a massive franchise. You know it is cold, dark and snowy in New York (as is Michigan), yet these women are dressed in capped sleeve or sleeveless dresses! If theres a lot of gloss, I get distracted. This defamatory lawsuit is not only offensive, it is wholly without merit and will be defended vigorously, he said in a statement. This is the crux of why women on TV can not easily be freed from the "uniform" of jewel tones and false eyelashes and blow outs. The colorful evolution of newswomen's attire. Roger Ailes hated that colour.. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Leave a Reply Cancel reply. Its a wonder they arent shivering through the entire newscast. They've got it down to a science, literally. A Fox News spokesperson said that no such edict exists on what women are required to wear. Women newscasters like to look successful. Mid-tour, a male reporter eyes her up and down and yells, Beautiful dress, Megyn! Theron, in turn, deadpans to the camera: Hes not horny, hes just ambitious.. I was told no pants, says Huddy. And Foxs competitors follow suit to an extent. Laura Ingraham delivers a speech in Cleveland, Ohio on 20 July 2016. For example, anchors on amorning show may dress more casually than those on an evening newscast. Average Josephine is quite certain the bare arms are meant. ; 2 2.Why Do Female Newscasters Wear Tight Dresses - AWS; 3 3.Female TV newscasters and the sleeveless sheath dress; 4 4.Double standard on dressing for TV work - North - Chicago Tribune; 5 5.What do you think about newswomen on TV dressing like they; 6 6.How Female Anchors Really Feel About The Unspoken . ), Very few on-air meteorologists get wardrobe budgets, which can make for a substantial financial burden if they dont shop wisely. Still, her main focus when choosing her wardrobe and makeup is not to look glamorous or traditionally beautiful, but to look and feel professional. Wang said the price of the dress was definitely a plus, especially for women newscasters who buy their own clothes but want to vary their wardrobe on air. I see more and more darker-skinned women and women who do not fit traditional, eurocentric beauty ideals being elevated across the country. Courtney Friel, another former Fox News presenter and the author of Tonight at 10: Kicking Booze and Breaking News, says the network provided clothes as part of her $5,000 (3,800) annual wardrobe allowance from brands including Diane von Frstenberg, Milly, Chiara Boni and Karen Millen. Why all the arms hanging out? I want to look normal.. There are some female reporters/meteorologists that have worked out trades with clothing stores that will allow [them to] borrow anoutfit in trade for a 10- to 15-second ad duringthe newscast., Abrams sees a silver lining to the hefty wardrobe demands. Tight pants are very flattering, especially for attractive women in good shape. The almost identical blonde, blow-dried hairstyles, worn with short sheath dresses and stilettos by the channels female anchors are also a key feature of Bombshell, Jay Roachs biographical film, which opened in UK cinemas on Friday. They should not only appear professional and trustworthy, but they should also appear trustworthy when writing a story. Why do female newscasters wear sleeveless dresses in the winter? Many women embrace wearing clothes that are a little tight on their bodies, making them appear more attractive. Frances Wang, an ABC 10 anchor based in Sacramento, California, seen wearing the Sidefeel scallop pleated dress in pink. In a field where appearance is often considered to be important, wearing clothing that is fitted and tailored can convey a sense of confidence and competence. It only matters when women in positions of authority are dressed down. This video recording will shed a little alight on why we dress the way we do. Often its because theyre concerned with whats up-to-the-minute more than what flatters them the most., A heavy sigh from Flora. If you need help purchasing a product directly from Allure, go to our FAQ. Yes, they look great and take amazing care of themselves, but they go into the business to be journalists, not actresses., Melas agrees. A preference for dresses and skirts is especially pertinent considering the channels infamous transparent desks, thought to have been installed to offer a better view of the female presenters legs. You get them distracted., From long experience, Pomerantz knows exactly what to do about weepy anchors. She also accused Steve Doocy, her Fox and Friends co-host, of engaging in a pattern and practice of severe and pervasive sexual harassment that included mocking her during commercial breaks, shunning her off air, refusing to engage with her on air, belittling her contributions to the show.. The film centres on accusations of sexual harassment levelled at the former chief executive Roger Ailes by Fox News employees, while also depicting a toxic workplace culture imbued with sexism and secrecy. Its not respectful to the viewer., Commanding trust and authority is one reason this beauty standard exists. To keep their wardrobes up to date, news anchors are given clothing allowances. "Many. To have someone saying, Here are the shoes you should wear with that dress; here is the necklace thats great.. Women who appear on television news are often forced to put on a lot of makeup and put a few stains on their foreheads to look camera ready. I dont deny that., The first thing I did once I left television news for radio was cut my hair, she continues. Im a little older than the rest of them.. Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb are generally sleeveless, sitting by windows that show people who have been bundled up against the cold for months. The lights are much harsher than anywhere else, and the angles can be tricky, says Starr. Back to top Alert abuse Link here Permalink. But American rightwing women all dress exactly the same, which is to say, mainstream feminine dresses, not trousers; heels, not flats; no interesting cuts, just body-skimming, cleavage-hinting, not-scaring-the-horses tedium. In nearly every scene it seems a man is making a comment about a female staffers appearance, be it her hair, makeup, body, or hemline. But then we turn to rightwing women. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. If its cold outside, they may wear layers and a coat. Women are held to such a high, high standard. Why do so many rightwing American women have bottle-blond hair, often worn girlishly long? I have to be honest. Its not often a TV channel can be credited with creating its own fashion look but, in the case of Fox News, fashion and style have become central to the broadcasters brand. They stayed there for about 8 or 9 months, which drives them to dress how they do. Its certainly frustrating to know we may not see many makeup-free faces or a sea of flats or tons of non-white women rocking their natural hair on television any time soon. Diane Dimond, who once worked at Fox News, said it was a "good ol' boys' network. Atwood used a few Roland Mouret dresses for Kellys character, but also specially recreated some of the outfits that she wore on air, including the simple black sheath she chose for the first Republican presidential debate on August 6, 2015, which included then candidates Marco Rubio, John Kasich, Ben Carson, and Donald Trump. It turned into a whole big thing, she says. Kellyanne Conway, Ann Coulter and Ivanka Trump. This month, Ive spent about $250 on my wardrobe and came home with six dresses, she says. Too baggy will make you look frumpy. Their jobs require clothes that are comfortable enough to move around in (the sweeping arms of a cold front! Mika Brzezinski and Chris Jansing love the look, as do CBS News anchors Gayle King and Brooke Baldwin. Am I missing something? Meteorologists, it turns out, are hungry for clothing recommendations. And yet, they grip hard on to these beliefs, just as they hold hard on to their curling tongs which they twirl through their long blond locks every morning. And dont plaster pancake makeup on my skin. Ive started to take control of it., In recent years, anchors have also been given room to dress a little more cool and more modern say Starr. It takes practice to dress as a news anchor on television. The journalist had evolved: With one swift snip, she had gone from a lengthy tousled hairstyle she privately described to close friends as fuck me meaning the frenzied piles of tresses were intended to seduce viewers to the short, severe cut she described as fuck you. Within months she had muted her lip color to a nude, highlighted with just a touch of champagne gloss. Most girls wear very tight pants because they feel comfortable in them. If what she said is true and Im not doubting it shes one brave cookie, Dimond told The Dana Pretzer Show. Why do all female employees at Fox News have their legs showing at all times? And about two years into the job, I felt like I needed to be free. McKend made the decision to go on-camera with her natural hair. Slate is published by The Slate Group, a Graham Holdings Company. A journalist cant fail to notice how well-dressed they appear, and its clear that the anchor takes pride in their appearance. And Ivanka Trump, where you probably bought some of your clothes, is harder to get than ever. The minute you do one thing wrong, they blast you, she says. In a field where appearance is often considered to be important, wearing clothing that is fitted and tailored can convey a sense of confidence and competence. Technology will greatly influence how you interact with your viewers. Early television newspeople were mostly white males. My name is Kendra and Im a fashion obsessed, city lovin girl. ), National Politics Correspondent for Newsweek Media Group Nina Burleigh learned early in her career what happens if you dont know the unspoken rules of how women should look when appearing on television. Well, allow me to introduce you to Ivanka Trump. Bare arms read as a kind of smart-sexy, a look that women in positions of authority can pull off. It is unlikely that Christiane Amanpour would use her power to manipulate women on the air. On 1/7/2014 imaclotheshog said: For the same reason young women wear those stupid platform stilts they call high heels. Thats the disturbing part to watch: professional, strong-willed women anxiously getting dressed in clothes that clearly make them uncomfortable. Many TV stations have strict dress codes for what people can wear on-air. It helps that Melas also just loves makeup, and shows up fresh-faced every morning, ready for the full treatment. Most girls wear very tight pants because they feel comfortable in them. And you need to look good, be beautiful, because if you dont, you get turned off., Floyd puts it more bluntly: The TV news business is a tough business to be in, and it can get nasty at times., Despite its recent management shake-up following allegations of harassment, it is still Fox that sets the ultrapulchritude trend. CBS Morning Show, The Today Show (NBC), The Today Show (NBC), Good Morning America (ABC), it still really matters what those women look like on TV. Yes, they can show off their toned arms, but do it during the summer months. IE 11 is not supported. If a storm strikes, they are most likely going to wear protective clothing. I never said anything. To get your copy, head to newsstands or subscribe now. That's because even the best digital TV cameras don't pick up images the same way the human eye does. Three female hosts even told us specifically last summer at the height of all the Ailes drama that they could wear pants if they wanted to. In either case, a woman who is well dressed deserves to be respected. Discover Your True Theatrical Romantic Self with the Kibbe Style Guide! Its mid-scandal, and in the newsroom female staffers are handing out Team Roger T-shirts and forcefully telling everyone to put them on. They look like women who have it all. (Plus, Bilotto points out, its not the worst thing in the world to get your hair and makeup done every day and have someone choose your clothes.) Whatever happened to a nice jacket, or heaven forbid a sweater, or anything with long sleeves. Tight Dresses Are Flattering Tight pants are very flattering, especially for attractive women in good shape. The seriousness of the news has been toned down in comparison to the attire of the women who present it. Being a television news anchor, a correspondent, or a contributor to a television show regularly exposes a woman to a larger audience. Charlize Theron, playing the anchor Megyn Kelly, is confined to tailored dresses and heavy makeup for her scenes at the studio, in stark contrast to her out-of-office looks. When tears are running down their face, you use an airbrush, and you just blot, blot, blot with a tissue and a sponge you never wipe, she explains. Karyn Starr is a personal stylist and co-founder of White-Starr who has worked periodically with ABC for about 8 years dressing hosts and anchors on shows like Good Morning America. From hair trends to relationship advice, our daily newsletter has everything you need to sound like a person whos on TikTok, even if you arent. You do not complain. But as all beauty professionals know: Lip gloss makes TV regulars look younger and on television, the appearance of youth, at least among women, is always paramount. Dimond said Ailes was the one who called her about the job, since she had known him a bit for years. If the anchor is crying, or sweating, you can also pick a small fan out of the makeup cart, and you make them hold it in their lap [to blow air on their face]. And also, how do you define smoky eye? Why Do Female Newscasters Wear Tight Dresses? I was told it didn't look professional and it looked messy. If I dont dress this way, will I still get ahead? The women wear skirts and heels., Even though the F-word never drops from her lips, its possible that Couric has been watching Fox News as well: The super tight, low-cut sleeveless dresses I see on TV news I always feel are more appropriate for a cocktail party, says Couric. Make sure your hair is neatly styled and that you are wearing minimal makeup. 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