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stuck in the mittle
May 4, 2012

Dressing to Stump: Ann Romney’s Campaign Style

By Charlotte Cowles

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Photo: Jeff Neira/CBS via Getty Images

If Ann Romney accomplished one thing this week, it was to draw the world’s attention to her clothes. And what better way to do so than go on national television in a $990 Reed Krakoff silk shirt emblazoned with a large golden bird swooping toward her right armpit? It was a bold move on her part, particularly since she has spent most of her time on the campaign trail in modest blouses, nondescript jackets, and the occasional bland dress — all the better to convince America of her humble, steadfast Everywoman-ness. 

So what exactly is Ann’s style? Upon closer inspection, she’s sneaked in some sassy items here and there: a blush-pink, corset-style waist belt, worn over a white blouse on World News With Diane Sawyer; a form-fitting scarlet dress at an Illinois primary night party in Chicago; and what looks to be a Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her palette is dominated by warm reds and the occasional pink or maroon, and she’s not afraid to wear prints. She accentuates her waist with belts and nipped jackets, she almost never shows her arms, and she prefers kitten heels and wedge sandals. In short, she dresses like many normal, attractive 63-year-old American women.

From a fashion industry perspective, she hasn’t even come close to the kind of cachet that Michelle Obama or Carla Bruni have (not to mention Kate Middleton, if she can be counted in the “wives of political figures” circle). Designers don’t send out press alerts when she appears in their clothes, and her garment choices don’t go flying off the racks as soon as she wears them out of the house. A spokesperson for Reed Krakoff was quick to point out that they hadn’t sent her the bird shirt, adding that she probably bought it herself at Saks or Barneys.

Does Ann wear expensive clothing? Yes, but not obviously so (her $1K bird shirt being a rare exception). Most of her clothes probably aren’t affordable, but they’re not so distinctively “designer” that people would be able to tell how much they cost. The Romney camp insists that she doesn’t use a stylist, and she regularly repeats outfits on the campaign trail (particularly a favorite red blazer). So far, she has pointedly chosen comfort and simplicity over glamour; perhaps that’s in the best interest of her husband’s campaign, which struggles to make the Romneys’ wealthy lifestyle more relatable.

Everyone knows that Ann’s clothes will be discussed and examined by voters — particularly when she wears distinctive ones, like she did this week — and it’ll be interesting to see if her style evolves with her husband’s campaign. As she attempts to soften her husband’s image and win female votes, we may continue to see bolder fashion choices.  To see how her style has progressed, see our slideshow of the outfits she’s worn since her husband announced his candidacy last June.

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1 / 36 Photos
June 9, 2011 At Bittersweet Farm in Stratham, New Hampshire. Photo: The Washington Post/2011 The Washington Post
June 13, 2011 In Manchester, New Hampshire. Photo: EMMANUEL DUNAND/2011 AFP
June 24, 2011 In Salt Lake City, Utah. Photo: George Frey/2011 Getty Images
September 5, 2011 In Manchester, New Hampshire. Photo: Justin Sullivan/2011 Getty Images
September 29, 2011 In Greenville, South Carolina. Photo: The Washington Post/2011 The Washington Post
October 1, 2011 In Columbia, South Carolina. Photo: The Washington Post/2011 The Washington Post
October 11, 2011 In Lebanon, New Hampshire. Photo: Justin Sullivan/2011 Getty Images
October 10, 2011 In Hooksett, New Hampshire. Photo: Matthew Cavanaugh/2011 Getty Images
December 9, 2011 In Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Photo: Kevork Djansezian/2011 Getty Images
December 28, 2011 In North Liberty, Iowa. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/2011 Getty Images
December 29, 2011 In Mason City, Iowa. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/2011 Getty Images
January 1, 2012 In Atlantic, Iowa. Photo: JEWEL SAMAD/2012 AFP
January 2, 2012 In Marion, Iowa. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/2012 Getty Images
January 4, 2012 In Manchester, New Hampshire. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/2012 Getty Images
January 8, 2012 At the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord, New Hampshire. Photo: Alex Wong/2012 Getty Images
January 8, 2012 In Derry, New Hampshire. Photo: EMMANUEL DUNAND/2012 AFP
January 8, 2012 In Exeter, New Hampshire. Photo: Justin Sullivan/2012 Getty Images
January 10, 2012 In Manchester, New Hampshire. Photo: Justin Sullivan/2012 Getty Images
January 10, 2012 In Manchester, New Hampshire. Photo: The Washington Post/2011 The Washington Post
January 20, 2012 En route to Charleston, South Carolina. Photo: EMMANUEL DUNAND/2012 AFP
January 21, 2012 In Greenville, South Carolina. Photo: Joe Raedle/2012 Getty Images
January 25, 2012 In Miami, Florida. Photo: EMMANUEL DUNAND/2012 AFP
January 29, 2012 In Naples, Florida. Photo: EMMANUEL DUNAND/2012 AFP
January 31, 2012 In Tampa, Florida. Photo: EMMANUEL DUNAND/2012 AFP
February 2, 2012 In Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Ethan Miller/2012 Getty Images
February 25, 2012 In Flint, Michigan. Photo: Bill Pugliano/2012 Getty Images
February 27, 2012 In Albion, Michigan. Photo: Justin Sullivan/2012 Getty Images
February 28, 2012 In Novi, Michigan. Photo: Bill Pugliano/2012 Getty Images
March 2, 2012 In Cleveland, Ohio. Photo: Justin Sullivan/2012 Getty Images
March 6, 2012 In Boston, Massachusetts. Photo: Justin Sullivan/2012 Getty Images
March 6, 2012 In Belmont, Massachusetts. Photo: AFP/2012 AFP
March 18, 2012 At the Sullivan Community Center Gymnasium in Vernon Hills, Illinois. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/2012 Getty Images
March 20, 2012 In Schaumburg, Illinois. Photo: Scott Olson/2012 Getty Images
April 16, 2012 At Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo: Ida Mae Astute/2012 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.
May 1, 2012 On CBS's This Morning in New York, New York. Photo: CBS Photo Archive/2012 CBS Photo Archive
May 2, 2012 In Chantilly, Virginia. Photo: JEWEL SAMAD/2012 AFP
1 / 36

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