The Washington Post‘s Katherine Boyle examines the evolution of on-air fashion. Boyle talks to CBS’ Norah O’Donnell and MSNBC’s Mika Brzezinski, concluding that women have “finally laid claim to the anchor’s chair and can let their hair down or, at least, grow it past their shoulders”:
“When ‘Morning Joe’ started, I was a hostage to fashion by network executives and stylists, who thought they knew what I should wear,” Brzezinski said, calling the clothes “short, skimpy, tight. They were not me and not Washington.”
Fox News, which supplies clothing to its anchors like many networks do, gives anchors freedom over their garments, shoes and hemlines, only encouraging women anchors to wear bold colors that producers once eschewed: bright greens, fuchsias, hot pinks. “Our brand is color,” [FNC fashion director Gwen] Marder said.
AdvertisementAnd in only six years since cable news first showcased shoulders, the dress has become the preferred staple of women on television. “Suits were very expensive,” O’Donnell said. “You can get a really nice dress for $300. I actually find it a lot easier as a working mom.”