Clothing the Caucus 2008:A big spread for Obama

"Road to the White House" Obama

Clothing the Caucus 2008:And the GOP nod goes to...

Crook' toothed Huckabee

Clothing the Caucus 2008:It's time to vote

It's on in Iowa!

– AP Photo

Clothing the Caucus 2008:Political paraphernalia

What a wardrobe some of these volunteers and supports sport! Let's just try and forget about the contacts, and see some other fun duds! I'll have more later...

– AP

Clothing the Caucus 2008:Awe-some perspectives

I just thought these couple photos were cool ...

P.S. Those I despise the pseudo-yuppie sweater-over-shoulders look, I do have to say I love the pop of green around Hillary's face, it suits her well.

– AP Photos

Clothing the Caucus 2008:Love on the campaign trail

I know I just showed a picture of the Bidens, but I just love this photo and the intimacy and stresses of the job that it shows. It is a picture of them prior to a press conference and rally in Dubuque, Iowa.

(P.S. AP listed Biden's wife's name as Naomi, which is tragically wrong. It is Jill. Naomi was his daughter who was killed years ago in a Christmas-time car accident. Read an amazing story about it all here...)

– AP Photo/Mark Hirsch

Clothing the Caucus 2008:Stumping for the candidate

I wrote this great thing, and then I accidentally deleted it, damn! Anyway, insert a joke here about how all the presidential candidates are bringing their entire families out to rally for them - wives, children, siblings, cousins, you name it - something about family values... Sen. Edwards is the only candidate who doing it alone (which is a little sad be D.C. Pleats loves her some Emma and Jack! - and we wish Elizabeth all the best). And then there's Chuck Norris...

Sen. Biden brought nearly his whole family to Iowa, including his sister, Valerie Biden Owens, left, his son, Hunter, his wife Jill (hot second wife No. 1) and his brother Jimmy.

Sen. Obama is joined by his lovely wife Michelle - who almost always looks stunning - at a stop yesterday in Des Moines.

Former Gov. Huckabee and his wife Janet, greet audience members at a early morning rally. (Though she often looks very doughty, I have to say I like the chunky necklace and the eggplant-colored coat.)

Former Sen. Fred Thompson walks with his wife, Jeri (hot second wife No. 2), and their daughter, Hayden, 4, during a campaign stop in West Des Moines.

Sen. Clinton's mother, Dorothy Rodham, and daughter, Chelsea, show support yesterday during a campaign stop in Indianola.

Meanwhile, Bill's in Dubuque...

Sen. McCain and with his wife, Cindy (hot second wife No. 3), in New Hampshire.

Sen. Dodd and his wife Jackie (also a second wife, questionably hot) after a campaign stop at Signatures Grill in Indianola.

And then there's Chuck Norris and his wife stumping for Huckabee.

– AP Photos

Clothing the Caucus 2008:Caffeine Double Take

It's not from today, but New Year's Day, and it's just a great shot of Hillary double-fisting the caffeine while campaigning in Des Moines, Iowa.

– AP Photo/J. David Ake

Clothing the Caucus 2008

Hope everyone had a great holiday vacation, but now it's Caucus Time! (I don't really think it's all THAT exciting, but nonetheless...)

I am going to try and post some fun pictures and commentary about the pols' Iowan wares as well as some simply amazing photos from the day's events. (Like this quite creepy one of volunteer Roberta Allen showing her patriotism.) So keep tuned through the afternoon and evening, if you can simply tear your eyes away from the 24-hour broadcast coverage.

– AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

More Givhan rants

It's been a very long week of political fashion commentary given by Robin Givhan. Normally I would love all of this stuff - aka this blog - but admittedly I am getting a little sick of it. I wish the elections would just be over already. (Damn, I forgot we have another year to go...)

I already commented about Hil on Sunday, then we've got:
Romney on Monday
Edwards on Tuesday
Thompson on Wednesday
McCain on Thursday
And I think you're in luck for Baby Blue Guy on Friday...

Who's to blame for pantsuits?

Robin Givhan's article this weekend about Hillary "the-human-color-wheel" Clinton and the pantsuits was unnecessary for the package and said absolutely nothing that Robin hasn't said at least twice before in her column, but nonetheless I read it and had a couple chuckles - mainly because Hillary's so manly. So here's some of the less boring of the boring droll:

The mind, so easily distracted by things mauve and lemon yellow, strays from more pressing concerns to ponder the sartorial: How many pantsuits does Hillary Clinton have in her closet? And does she ever wear them in the same combination more than once? (Here I have to say, "What?!?" Givhan's clearly never seen my blog and how Hillary wears the same thing 10 times in one week...)

[Pantsuits] can be flattering, although not when the jacket hem aligns with the widest part of the hips (hypothetically speaking, of course). Does she even have hips? (Oh Robin...)

Is even considering the senator's clothes a kind of chauvinistic assault? ... With the male candidates, the nuances of their attire matters ... but with Clinton, one must first get past distractions such as that pink blazer — the one John Edwards didn't like so much — before the details can be considered. What would possess a woman to wear a jacket the color of a geranium in full bloom and then imply she doesn't want anyone to notice or comment on her clothes?

Yes, a woman can still be taken seriously, viewed as tough and celebrated for her ideas even if she is wearing a sunshine yellow suit. But someone, somewhere, is also going to notice that she is dressed like a solar flare. (She said it, not me, but ditto!)

Oprah on the campaign trail

Oprah hit the campaign trail with Sen. Obama and his wife, Michelle, this weekend - and I have to say she looked fantastic doing it. Her neutral palette wasn't boring, but it was slimming, and more importantly, conservative enough for Washington (and Iowans), but hip enough to maintain her Hollywood image. It was an image that was very much what the Obamas have been portraying themselves throughout the campaign - young, but respectable. I would hope that some of the women on the Hill have their eyes open and maybe take some pointers from the Oprah-Michelle fierce fashion duo.

All one color in different shades and textures makes for a put-together look that is both slimming and timeless.

It's just a simple, single-breasted pantsuit that fits properly, isn't flashy in color, isn't over-embellished with jewelry/scarves. It's just the antithesis of Hillary - and really what Hillary should be wearing. (They kind of have similar body shapes, right?)

This is so perfect for a daytime, outdoor event. I love that she belted the shirt - very trendy - but kept the palette simple so as to not make it look too young for her. And my favorite part? The yellow is perfect for her skin tone but not bright and flashy to distract from the important thing - the candidate. That's something Michelle is often very good at, too.

- AP Photos/Paul Sancya, Elise Amendola and Gerry Broome, respectively

Joke of the day

From Swizzle Sticks:

"According to FEC reports, Edwards grew out his hair during the 3rdQ."

What's the coif about?

Yet again, I found the most amazing dribble in The Politico - I can't believe they actually publish this stuff in a "newspaper." It was a two-page spread about the presidential candidates' hair. Some highlights:

Whether a presidential candidate maintains his (or her) split ends surely will rate low on voters’ “presidential material” scale. But many politicians have learned that an impeccable hairstyle — even at $400 — can be a political asset.

... Romney’s not above jabbing his opponents. “You know, I think John Edwards was right. There are two Americas. There’s the America where people pay $400 for a haircut and then there is everybody else,” said Romney, who pays $50 for his own.

... “Your hair will send very important messages to those around you,” [Clinton] told Yale University’s graduating class in 2001. “It will tell people who you are and what you stand for.”

... According to Susan Abrams, a professional political image consultant based north of Los Angeles, a bad hairdo can distract voters from a candidate’s message. Take Edwards’ costly trim. “No one talks about what he’s saying,” she said, “because everyone talks about the hair.”

To read the entire thing, click here... Though if you want a chart about why each style does or does not work, click here...

– Composite image by Politico.com

It's a slow week

It's been hard to find stuff when the only thing going on is Gen. Patraeus' speech in which everyone knew what he was going to say before he said it, the House was out for the funeral and now everyone's out for the rest of the week because of Rosh Hashanah.

So here's random talk about my favorite fashion disaster, Hillary. I love the photo at right because it looks like Hill's trying sooo hard to stay awake while listening to Amb. Crocker and Petraeus on Tuesday. The glasses give her the I'm-really-trying-to-take-this-seriously look while amplifying the fact that her eyes can barely stay open. I've never seen her done this pair, but I do have to say I like them. Of all the things she wears, especially her oft-tacky accessories, I think these do a good job of staying somewhat-trendy and young, but not in a offensive you're-too-old way.

I also like the pink jacket for the same reason. The pink is a good pop of color for her that isn't too strong, isn't the coral family we've seen way too much of, and doesn't wash her out too much.

– AP Photos/Kevin Wolf and Gerald Herbert, respectively

Have a great weekend!

I figured I'd leave you with a great photo to laugh at for the weekend. I really don't mean to put Hillary up here so much, she just provides so much great fodder. Just keep in mind, this is in no way, shape or form an endorsement of any kind.

I have to say this isn't the worst outfit I've ever seen on her. She's owning the monotone outfits, thinking they make her appear slimmer (I'd argue that, but to each their own). The wool is at least a summer color and seems to be lightweight. What I don't understand, and her being at an AARP convention doesn't save her on this one, is what's up with the floppy handkerchief she's sporting. She's done this a few times now, and it totally looks like her left boob is exploding. Oh well - you can't teach an old dog new tricks.

– AP Photo/Steven Senne

**** UPDATE: She wore that outfit again on Sunday. She always does this, and knows she's in the spotlight being photographed at each event. I just don't understand. It's not like she doesn't have enough money for a full wardrobe - I learned today in Roll Call that she's worth at least $12 million.

Speaking of brassy

This was a very busy weekend for Hillary's newest accessory to hit the campaign trail: a raffia visor.

Many of the maybe-early primary states got to see this tennis-on-top, beach-on-the-bottom accoutrement as the junior Senator went from state fair to state house and back again. I'm not sure what designer made this (I say designer because it has a little silver leaf-shaped emblem on the rim), but Hill, honey, it isn't suit-worthy. If it's that hot and sunny that you need to shade your eyes, go for khakis and a nice button down or something and skip the full-on blazer. But that's just my opinion.

– AP Photos/Charlie Neibergall and Jim Cole, respectively

'The brightest most fluorescent color possible'

Carole Bayer Sager over at Huffington Post had a funny little piece about Hillary at the recent debates. She's spot on - unfortunately because in the spotlight what we usually see is a very scary sight - but what really are the options for men? Here are some excerpts:

Have you noticed that after each Democratic debate, Hillary's numbers rise in the national polls?

The reason is simple.

She enters center stage, in the brightest most fluorescent color possible on the color wheel. She is aglow in bright coral, bright orange, bright yellow; while surrounded left and right by a chorus of dull looking men in seemingly identical dark suits all appearing indistinguishable from one another. What an entrance. ...

She also answers in a softer tone; her manner is less aggressive, more appealing. But she's winning over some of her critics primarily because the male frontrunners simply just don't shine. ... Thanks to the televised debates, the American people got to see Hillary Clinton on stage, her blonde hair shiny, eye makeup, rouge and lipstick in place, standing next to a chorus of men in black -- glistening.

It may be serious business, but it's still show business.

To read the entire article, click here...

– AP Photo/Cheryl Senter

Update

Sorry I've been a little aloof. Work's actually been busier than expected for recess - silly ol' Sen. Craig getting himself into all sorts of mischief. Anyway, I'll try to be better (though I know I promise that all too often...)

By the way, did you hear that Jenna was actually proposed to at Acadia National Park in Maine - that's where I was that day! How come I didn't hear about it until a couple days later? There was no secret service men lurking around that I saw. I guess my high-alert blogging senses were lax because of vacation.

By the way, channeling the Che Guevara t-shirt look, you too can have Barack Obama on your chest. Launching several new wares on his campaign site Monday, for just a few dollars you can don the 100 percent cotton duds.

As FishbowlDC asks: Who will win this month's magazine candidate-off?

Any thoughts on which cover is better? (Though we all know they both seem a tad ridiculous...)

– Photo courtesy of FishbowlDC reader