In Missouri, female legislators and staff members will now be required to wear a blazer or a cardigan in order to maintain ‘professionalism inside the chamber.’
Last week, the Missouri State House of Representatives changed its dress code for female lawmakers in a ruling that was introduced by Republican State Representative Ann Kelley, who said the new policy for women would mimic the dress code for male lawmakers – who are required to wear a jacket, shirt and tie.
“[It] is essential to always maintain a formal and professional atmosphere” Kelley said in the House.
“You would think that all you would have to do is say, ‘Dress professionally,’ and women could handle it. You would think elected officials could handle that.”
The resolution mandates: “Proper attire for women shall be business attire, including jackets worn with dresses, skirts, or slacks, and dress shoes or boots.”
“For the purposes of this rule, ‘jacket’ shall include blazers, cardigans, and knit blazers.”
The change to the dress code has sparked arguments about women’s right to wear what they want, and some Democratic lawmakers are calling it sexist and pointless.
Secretary of the Missouri branch of the National Organization for Women, Jamie Tomek, remarked that she was “outraged” by the updated dress code.
“We have a Republican Legislature, so they think they have time to spend on those kinds of things, as opposed to real issues that citizens of Missouri need dealing with,” she said.
Democrat State Representative Raychel Proudie agreed, saying that a dress code change was not necessary.
“I think we’re being quite pedantic here by making rules so petty,” she said in the chamber. “And what it will ultimately lead to is the disenfranchisement of folks.”
“For example, they don’t make jackets or blazers for women who are pregnant. That can be very uncomfortable.”
On the same day, Democratic State Representative Ashley Aune, said that a “gentleman in this room” had once confronted her about her attire.
“You know what it feels like to have a bunch of men in this room looking at your top trying to decide whether it’s appropriate or not?” she said.
Aune addressed Kelley directly about the revised rule. “I mean, this is ridiculous,” she said.
Kelley replied: “Why should we talk about something like this? It is absolutely ridiculous.”
“You brought this to the floor, lady,” Aune answered. “You tell me.”
After the ruling was officially passed last Wednesday, Kelley announced on Facebook that she received “lots of hateful calls, emails, and messages in regards to this amendment, which is funny because we already have a dress code.”