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THE IMAGES OF MRS.O AS AMERICAN FIRST LADY
REFLECTED BY HER FASHION STYLE
THESIS
Submitted as a Partial Fulfilment of Requirenments for the Sarjana Sastra Degree of English Department
Arranged by:
GALUH LANIDA QORYVITA
C 1306046
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF LETTERS AND FINE ARTS
SEBELAS MARET UNIVERISTY
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PROUNOUNCEMENT
Name : Galuh Lanida Qoryvita Number : C1306046
The researcher states that this thesis entitled The Images of Mrs.O as American
First Lady Reflected by Her Fashion Style is neither a plagiarism nor made by
others. It is originally made by the researcher. All theories and materials taken from other sources are put in direct quotation and paraphrased citation. The researcher is fully responsible for the pronouncement and if this is proven to be wrong, the researcher is willing to take any responsible actions given by Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts, Sebelas Maret University.
Surakarta, June 28, 2011 The Researcher,
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v
MOTTO
A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues. (Cicero)
Powerful Dreams Inspire Powerful Action. (Jonathan Lockwood Huie)
If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything (anonymous)
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DEDICATION
I dedicated this thesis to:
♥
my beloved father and mother
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Alhamdulillahhirobbil’alamin
Foremost, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Allah SWT,
the one and the almighty for giving me the wonderful things and guidance in
finishing this thesis. My gratitude also for all those who gave me a lot of
contributions in completing this thesis, especially for:
1. Drs. Riyadi Santosa, M.Ed, Ph.D, The Dean of Faculty of Letters and Fine
Arts, for the approval of this thesis.
2. Drs. Budi Waskito, M.Pd, The Head of English Department Non Regular
program, for the approval and permition in writing this thesis.
3. Nani Sukarni, MS, The Thesis consultant, for giving me directions, advices,
and support in finishing this thesis. Thanks for your patience mam, your
guidance helped me in all the time of writing this thesis.
4. Ida Kusuma Dewi, S.S, M.A, The Academic Consultant, for advices and care.
5. All English Department Lecturers, for giving me lots of knowledges.
6. My parents, Mr. Hadi and Mrs.Yayuk, for giving birth to me and supporting
me spiritually during my life. You are the best partners in my life... I ♥you!
7. My sister (Dini) and her family, for the support and for giving me a lovely
niece, “the cutest Hasna”.
8. My big family, for being the part of my life.
9. Zaki and his family, for the attention. I owe to you! May Allah save you and
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viii
10.My ladies “Pandewi”. Ika, Karin, Gabby and Noni who helped and
encouraged me during my time. Thank you so much gals! I’m going to miss
every single moment of us (karaoke with free pass, hang out with a glass of
ice tea and the annual birthday surprise!) I ♥you all!
11.My fellows in ED Non-Reg’06. Ludmi, Jiryan, Yudha “jegrik”, Yudha
“pinky”, Oscar, Sayi, Adhitya, Reo, and Septian, for your tolerance, good
humour, and insight added. Actually, I really don’t want to sever our
togetherness guys...
12.My fellows in Senior High School. Asti, Fafa, Fatma, Ayu, Galih, Yudhan,
Fikri, and Alif, for sharing your great experiences with me.
13.My Family of ED Non-Reg’06. Wibi, Agung, Ichwan, Kiki, Rosyid, Ulung,
Richa, Rury, Ratna, Tika, Tychan, Endang, Mimah, Atun, Nova, Dewi, Berlin,
Gunung, and others (sorry guys if I cannot mention your name one by one. It
could make my hand be kinky if I do that. Hahah! The point is I ♥ u all
).
I’mgoing to miss our great time in getting “Buber” in my home!
Surakarta, June 2011
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x CHAPTER III. ANALYSIS
3.1 MRS.O’S CONSTRUCTED IMAGES THROUGH HER FASHION STYLE
3.1.1 Cheerful and Comfy ……… 61
3.1.2 Feminine ….………..… 70
3.1.3 Classic and Elegant ……….. 86
3.1.4 Smart and Influential …………..………. 101
CHAPTER IV. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 4.1 Conclusion ………. 116
4.2 Recommendation ……….. 118 BIBLIOGRAPHY
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ABSTRACT
Galuh Lanida Qoryvita. C1306046. 2011. The Images of Mrs.O as American First Lady Reflected by Her Fashion Style. Undergraduate Thesis. Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts. Sebelas Maret University.
This research was conducted in order to find the images of Mrs.O as the
first African-American First Lady. Related to her role as the US President’s
spouse, specifically, this research aimed to find out how Mrs.O constructs her images to send the messages which lay behind her programs to American Society through her fashion style.
The research was conducted within the boundaries of American Studies. To gather the needed data, descriptive qualitative was used as the type of research.
The main data were taken from official websites:
http://firstladyofstyle.blogspot.com/ and http://mrs-o.org/ in the range time from November 2008 until August 2010. Then, the supporting data were taken from some additional information about the related topic such as books, websites, magazines, journals and articles.
As the method of data collection, the process is started by observing the pictures of Michelle Obama gained from the source of data of main data which are collected, then wrote down some important parts which related to the problem that will be analyzed. As the technique of analyzing data, the process is started by classifying the data from the main data which are collected, analyzing the data by using some theories and approaches, then explaining the data to get the result.
By using the recent data and knowledge about the images of Mrs.O as
the American First Lady, it is found that Mrs.O’s constructed images are the
crucial things in helping her to send the messages which lay behind her programs as American First Lady to the American society. It is because these constructed images give tremendous effect to Mrs.O in creating strategy to gain the public attention so that they understand what the messages behind her programs easily. The constructed images of American First Lady are the construction of stereotype
which relates to the society’s beliefs and values. Thus, it must be based on the
cultural mindset in order to get recognition from the American society.
The principal conclusion was Mrs.O’s constructed style functions to help
THE IMAGES OF MRS.O AS AMERICAN FIRST LADY
This research was conducted in order to find the images of Mrs.O as the first African-American First Lady. Related to her role as the US President’s spouse, specifically, this research aimed to find out how Mrs.O constructs her images to send the messages which lay behind her programs to American Society through her fashion style.
The research was conducted within the boundaries of American Studies. To gather the needed data, descriptive qualitative was used as the type of research. The main data were taken from official websites: http://firstladyofstyle.blogspot.com/ and http://mrs-o.org/ in the range time from November 2008 until August 2010. Then, the supporting data were taken from some additional information about the related topic such as books, websites, magazines, journals and articles.
As the method of data collection, the process is started by observing the pictures of Michelle Obama gained from the source of data of main data which are collected, then wrote down some important parts which related to the problem that will be analyzed. As the technique of analyzing data, the process is started by classifying the data from the main data which are collected, analyzing the data by using some theories and approaches, then explaining the data to get the result.
By using the recent data and knowledge about the images of Mrs.O as the American First Lady, it is found that Mrs.O’s constructed
1
Mahasiswa Jurusan Sastra Inggris dengan NIM C1306046
2
Dosen Pembimbing
images are the crucial things in helping her to send the messages which lay behind her programs as American First Lady to the American society. It is because these constructed images give tremendous effect to Mrs.O in creating strategy to gain the public attention so that they understand what the messages behind her programs easily. The constructed images of American First Lady are the construction of stereotype which relates to the society’s beliefs and values. Thus, it must be based on the cultural mindset in order to get recognition from the American society.
commit to user CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
A.Background
Fashion is closely related to women’s life, and it seems to be an
important thing because it is considered as the reflection of their identity. The role
of women in the peresent day diverse to the role of women in the past; nowadays,
women are not purely spending their time just to ensure their home life, but also
their economic feature, and how women view and value their bodies has changed
over time. Women have multi-position; thus, they need efforts to adjust their
environments, both home environment and working environment. Sukolo (a
master of Fashion Design, CREAPOLE-ESDI, France) stated that women are
more complex than men, they do many activities and variant tasks in their daily
live. Thus, it makes their personality grow up and consequently they need proper
style which is suitable with their multi-position (Sukolo, 2009, p.34). Living in
this modern era, women are expected to be able to explore their individuality and
looking attractive (Barker, 2000, p.314. Therefore, in conducting her role in this
modern life, women still has a burden to be attractive.
America is one of modern and popular countries. Many issues happen in
America could be something which is proper to discuss, and cannot be missed.
One of the latest great issues is about the first African-American First Lady,
Michelle Obama or usually called as Mrs.O. Since the inaugural ceremony of her
husband, Barrack Obama as the 44th President of the United States on January
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20th, 2009, consequently the fact of her race becomes more concrete and her
fashion becomes public’s concern. Braithwaite (an ardent follower of fashion and
style) gives an opinion that Mrs.O’s fashion sense became the panacea for dealing
with the stereotypes that surrounded her race and gender (
http://www.inter-disciplinary.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/alisapaper.pdf accessed on
Wednesday, March 3, 2010, 12:13 AM).
Mrs.O has to devote her image as a black people or First lady. Whether
she would be popular or not, it depends on her efforts in attracting public
attention. Related to her fashion style as American First Lady, in comparison to
the former First Lady, many people have compared her to Jackie Kennedy. Mihai
(a Vancouver-based Human Resources Manager, management coach and
freelance writer) states “in all fairness, some of their fashion choices seem quite
similar, which makes it entirely credible that Michelle may in fact be getting some
of her inspiration from Jackie’s wardrobe” (Mihai as cited in
http://www.suite101.com/content/michelle-obama-and-jackie-kennedy-a107751
accessed on Sunday, August 21, 2011, 08:10 PM). Constructing her fashion style
as American First Lady, Mrs.O seems follow the way how Jackie constructs her
fashion style, it can be seen from Mrs.O’s choices of style which seem quite
similar to Jackie Kennedy. Having great sense in fashion as the same the former
First Ladies, such as Jackie Kennedy, surprisingly in the beginning of her debut as
American First Lady, Mrs.O got the recognition from American fashion
magazine, Vogue, which introduces her to be one of Vogue top 20 best dressed
(http://www.glamourvanity.com/celebrities/vogue-names-20-best-commit to user
dressed-women-of-2009/ accessed on Monday, October 1, 2010, 06:52 PM), and
historically only Hillary Clinton and now Michelle have ever made the cover of
Vogue Magazine. From this condition, it seems that Mrs.O has got her success in
constructing her attractiveness as African-American First Lady as the same as the
former White-American First Ladies through her fashion style.
Being American First Lady in the present day, everything about Mrs.O
represents the modern life. She is post-feminist woman: she is clever,
independently minded, and attractive (Vine in The Times as cited in
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/articl
e5086230.ece accessed on Monday, August 21, 2011, 09:50 PM). Therefore, in
conducting her roles, Mrs.O is expected to have good performance, good
intelligence and good manner because she has a burden to be a representation of
the president, American society, and country. Labeled as African-American First
Lady, consequently she is going to be an American outlook because her life closes
to the public and everything which is linked with her life will be nice issue to
discuss; therefore to face the public and gain their attention, Mrs.O is expected to
be attractive. Attractiveness can be constructed by physical appearance, such as
fashion style. Fashion itself functions to gain public image which actually has an
important role in constructing certain identity that attracts others. Moreover,
fashion has a contribution to send messages in the society, as what Barnard stated
that intuitively fashion and clothes can illustrate that people want to send their
message (Barnard, p.42). Mrs.O is the example of women who uses her fashion
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Lady. Through her constructed style, Mrs.O could enlighten her personality and
provide public mindset to build her images. In other words, fashion gives chance
to Mrs.O to build her image as the African-American First Lady.
Related to the strategy in helping American society to understand about
what messages inside her programs easily, Mrs.O uses her attractiveness and her
images which are constructed by her fashion style to send those messages. In
revealing and succeding her significant programs, Mrs.O tries to alter her
constructed images to be the strategy to send messages which lay behind her
programs to American society. In other words, Mrs.O tries to use her
attractiveness as African-American First Lady to grab public attention and her
images to send the messages of her programs to American society so that the
programs could run well. From this condition, the main question around is could
Mrs.O’s constructed images which are reflected by her fashion style represent her
messages?
In summary, it can be said that the relation between women, fashion and
image is close. Therefore, the researcher wants to describe the constructed images
of Mrs.O as the first African-American First Lady related to her role in
succeeding her programs to American society through her fashion style. Mrs.O is
able to get recognition because her fashion sense is able to construct her image to
be an attractive African-American First Lady like the former White-American
First Ladies. By her appearance, it seems that Mrs.O has got her success in
constructing her images to represent her messages and conveying American
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The research investigates how Mrs.O constructs her images through her
fashion style to represent her messages and her attractiveness as the
African-American First Lady. By analyzing Mrs.O’s images, it opens our understanding
on how fashion works in constructing images which function to send messages
and how fashion could build attractiveness to grab public attention. The researcher
believes that by combining Mrs.O with her fashion style, it will reveal the
construction of Mrs.O images as African-American First Lady which function to
send messages behind her programs to American society. In other words, it can be
said that this research is interesting to analyze because it was talking about the
African-American First Lady’s fashion style which function to construct her
images to send messages in the society and her attractiveness as the same as the
former White-American First Ladies to grab public attention.
B.Scope of the study
In accordance with the theme of the study, this research is focused on the
main object of the study of American fashion style. The goal of this research is to
find out how Mrs.O’s images as American First Lady are constructed through her
fashion style to send the messages which lay behind her programs. In other words,
the study was only exploring about the images of Mrs.O as the first
African-American First Lady which are constructed by her fashion style as what described
through some pictures in http://firstladyofstyle.blogspot.com/ and
commit to user C. Problem Statement
1. What images and messages does Mrs.O want to show as American First Lady
through her fashion style?
D. Objective
The objective of the research was to find out the images and messages of
Mrs.O as the first African-American First Lady which are reflected by her fashion
style.
E. Research Significance
From the topic above, the main purpose of this research are:
1. Theoretical purpose
In theory, this research has purpose to build the reader outlook up in giving
images to Mrs.O as American First Lady through her fashion style.
2. Practical Purpose
This research has purpose to attract people interest toward fashion which is
brought by African-American First Lady, the historic American First Lady and
the new American Fashion Icon.
F. Research Methodology
1. Research Type and Design
This research was descriptive-qualitative research. It is a type of research
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characteristics and relations among the phenomenon which are observed (Nazir,
1998, p.63). Qualitative research is related to verbal data, not quantitative,
statistic, or numeral data (ibid). It is stressed on the meaning, definition of certain
situation (certain context), and more concern in examining something which
related to daily activities.
This research used qualitative method because it relates to verbal data,
not the quantitative, statistic or numeral data. This research was also a library
research because in the technique of collecting data, the main data were collected
from the online magazines, official website, journals and articles. After collecting
the data, the researcher wrote down the significant evidences, quotations,
important ideas, that were found from those data.
The next step is selecting the data; it was based on the problem statement
which was analyzed by applying the theories and approaches that were used in
this research.
2. Data and Source of Data
In this research, there are two kinds of data which can be obtained to
support the analysis, the main data and the supporting data. As the main data of
this research, it can be obtained mostly from the pictures of Mrs.O in some
official websites: http://firstladyofstyle.blogspot.com/ and http://mrs-o.org/.
Considering those main data concern about Michelle Obama and her fashion, thus
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Lady reflected by her fashion style. The data w ere taken from November 2008
until August 2010.
Supporting data is analyzed to support the main data and obtain the facts
about Mrs.O’s fashion style. It is collected from some official websites about
fashion. In this research, as the supporting data, the researcher took some
additional information about the related topic, included some techniques and some
terms from books, websites, magazines, journals and articles to support the
research; the whole things which have the same characteristic as the basic to draw
a conclusion. Population of this research are some official websites of Michelle’s
fashion style.
Sample is a part of population which functions to be an example or
master which is taken in certain way (certain technique), and should be
representative. Arikunto stated that
Sampel adalah sebagian atau wakil dari keseluruhan objek yang diteliti. Pengambilan sampel harus dilaksanakan sedemikian rupa sehingga diperoleh sampel yang benar-benar dapat berfungsi sebagai contoh, atau dengan kata lain sampel harus representatif (Arikunto, 1988, p.23). Based on sample explanation above, the researcher took the pictures of Michelle
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http://firstladyofstyle.blogspot.com/ and http://mrs-o.org/ as the sample of the
research because there are many representative pictures inside. Representative
picture itself means the pictures of Mrs.O’s fashion style that she wore in several
events related to her programs she planned as American First Lady.
4. Method of Data Collection
This method of data collection took something or someone to be the data
of the research. Hadi (1989, p.66) stated that the technique of data collection is the
techniques which are used to collect data in the research.
As the method of data collection, the researcher observed the main data
and the supporting data, which are mostly from official websites, books, articles,
and journals. It is started by observing the pictures of Mrs.O gained from the main
data which are collected, then write down some important parts which related to
the problem that will be analyzed.
5. Technique of Analyzing data
In analyzing the data, the problem statement will be analyzed through
these steps:
1. Classification of the data
In this step, the data of research are collected and classified based on the
problem statement which was conducted.
2. Analyzing the data
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3. Explaining the data
In this step, the results of analysis are explained to get the result of the
research.
Those steps above function to find the images of Mrs.O which are
build by her fashion style to send the messages which lay behind her programs
as the American First Lady.
G. Theoretical Approach
This research is focused on American studies, which means that this
research uses American studies as the structure. It becomes the effort to view any
given subject of investigation from an interdisciplinary perspective of American
experiences, including social, political, historical, and cultural dimensions of the
United States. It is also a study about culture; culture itself means a pattern of
society life, which becomes knowledge about attitude in our life.
The topic of this research is analyzing the images of Mrs.O in Popular
Culture. Popular Culture itself is the products of human work and thought that are
accepted and approved by a large community or population (Nachbar&Lause,
1992, p.14). What can be mentioned as popular product is not merely the product
which is popular in the present time, but also popular in certain time in past.
Mrs.O’s images embody the Americans beliefs and values; therefore, she belongs
to the product of popular culture.
Nowadays, Fashion seems impossible to be ignored. Fashion is one of
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known within global popular culture; year by year trend of fashion would alter
throughout each generation, but its progress happens in different places around the
world, between one country and another has their own fashion style. Trend setter
is one of the main aspects of fashion progress, they continuously working to
expand fashion. If their attire is popular and able to attract the societies,
consequently it leads to them being recognized globally.
Fashion can build image, through fashion people can illustrate their
identities from what they wore and how they construct their style. In connection
to this topic, since the data of the research are mostly in the form of pictures
which contain of color system and sign which functions to communicate the
ideas by means of message, therefore semiotics theory was needed to analyze and
understand every kind of those signs.
Semiotic approach is a tool which is used to analyze the data. The term
Semiotic comes from Greece language, seme in Semeiotikos which means the
interpretation of sign. Sign do many more things than merely refer, we briefly
examined a few common situations in which sign are used, and saw that in some
of these the referential functions is not even necessarily an important part of what
the sign does (Thwaites and Davis, 1994, p.25). In this research, semiotics theory
was applied in order to make an understanding about every sign occur in Mrs.O’s
fashion style so that it could find out the images of Mrs.O as the
African-American First Lady and messages which lay behind her fashion style.
Socio-Culture is the actions chosen to show people’s identity. It could be
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are at sports. These factors belong to culture which show that people could
influence others through such simple things. (http://socio-culture1.0.tripod.com/
accessed on Sunday, August 21, 2011, 08:10 PM). Fashion is one of American
culture products which is considered to be an important role to define someone’s
identity in the society. Fashion and image have close relationship with
socio-culture approach since the approach mainly explores the way people act based on
their environment to build their identity and images to influence others.
Socio-cultural approach is also needed in conducting this research since
the main topic is about images which function to send messages in the society.
Here, fashion and image have great influence toward American society; fashion
has shaped the way of thinking about image and its influence to the American
society. In this research the socio-cultural approach is applied in order to explore
the great influence of the first African-American First Lady’s fashion style toward
American society related to her strategy in sending messages behind her programs
she planned as American First Lady
Talking about women and her role in the society, it cannot be separated
from gender issue and post-feminism which has given many contributions to the
life of women today. Adriaens (a researcher at the Department of Communication
Studies at Ghent University) states
“Post feminism is a new form of empowerment and independence, individual
choice, (sexual) pleasure, consumer culture, fashion, hybridism, humor, and the renewed focus on the female body can be considered fundamental for this
contemporary feminism” (Adriaens as cited in
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So it is clearly seen that nowadays feminism is over; it seems unneeded because
women’s equality has been achieved. Feminism changed to be post-feminism
which can be defined as the freedom of women in selecting their choice which
significantly has ability to satisfy themselves. Post-feminism has brought women
to be equal to men and independence. Women today have more choice than men,
they also have right to choose their own choice without any restrictions from
others. In other words, Post-Feminism expects women to be able to define
themselves as individuals.
Post-feminism theoretical framework will be used to analyze this
research since this research talked about female identity as represented in her role
as the modern women which focused on individualism, choice and empowerment.
This research aims to analyze the role of Mrs.O as First Lady in American culture,
how she lives and interact within society. In other words, this research analyzes
how Mrs.O places herself in both femininity and masculinity to represent the
modern life and conduct her role as American First Lady. Therefore,
post-feminism that provides many issues about women today is needed to be the point
commit to user H. Thesis Organization
The thesis is organized into four subsequent chapters, outlined as follows
Chapter I : Introduction which provides research background, scope of the
study, problem statement, objective, research significance,
research methodology, theoretical approach, and thesis
organization.
Chapter II : Literature Review which consists of popular culture; Michelle
Obama; American First Lady; Fashion, Image and Women;
Semiotics Theory.
Chapter III : Analysis which consists of the meaning of sign in Mrs.O’s
fashion style which lead to her images as American First Lady.
The next thing is that the correlation between her constructed
images and her role as president’s spouse in sending messages to
American Society to succeed her own programs.
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approved of by large numbers of people (Nachbar and Lause, 1992, p.10); while
culture can be defined as “whole way of life”. Williams argued that we need to be
able to talk to people, to entertain and be entertained, to enjoy all kinds of
diversions and distractions, to work at something we find meaningful, to meet
together with other people. In short, culture is the “whole way of life” (Williams,
1997, in Brummett, 2nd, p.25). Therefore, popular culture could be meant as the
products of human work and thought which are (or have been) accepted and
approved of by a large community or population (Nachbar and Lause, 1992, p.14).
In other words, popular culture can be defined as the product of culture (anything
which comes from human‟s work and thought) which is popular and accepted by
large number of people.
Popular culture can provide the reflection necessary to expose and
highlight our cultural beliefs and values (ibid, p.9). Popular Culture includes far
more than the popular arts; it also encompasses icons, heroes, stereotypes, rituals,
and, most importantly, the beliefs and values of the masses (ibid, p.33). The study
of popular culture is a quest for meaning, not merely facts or nostalgia or
entertainment (ibid, p.6). There are some characteristics of popular culture, they
are:
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a. Consist of artifacts (object and people) and events (activities surrounding
the objects and people).
(http://www.squidoo.com/michelle-obama-fashions accessed on Sunday, October
31, 2010, 2:39 PM). Michelle's family, the Robinsons, lived in a brick bungalow
on the South Side of Chicago. Her father was a pump operator for the Chicago
Water Department and her mother was a housewife who stayed home to raise
Michelle and her brother, Craig, skillfully managing a busy household filled with
love, laughter, and important life lessons (ibid).
Mrs. Obama is the product of Chicago public schools, she studied
sociology and African-American studies at Princeton University. After graduating
from Harvard Law School in 1988, she joined the Chicago law firm Sidley &
Austin, where she later met the man who would become her husband. After a few
years, Mrs.Obama decided to work with the people to serve the communities and
the neighbors. She served as assistant commissioner of planning and development
in Chicago's City Hall before becoming the founding executive director of the
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public service
(http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/first-lady-michelle-obama accesed on Saturday, September 4, 2010, 01:10 AM)
In 1996, Mrs. Obama joined the University of Chicago with a vision of
bringing campus and community together. As Associate Dean of Student
Services, she developed the university's first community service program, and
under her leadership as Vice President of Community and External Affairs for the
University of Chicago Medical Center, volunteerism skyrocketed (ibid).
C. AMERICAN FIRST LADY
1. The Basic Concept of American First Lady
As the leader of a country, President needs someone to be his official
hostess, Anthony (the writer of publication in some newspapers) stated that First
Lady is the unofficial title given to the wives of American presidents, or to the
female relatives whom single or widowed presidents designated to serve as their
hostesses
(http://topics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/14/first-ladies-a-short-history/#more-88 accessed on January 13, 2011, 12:31 PM). Traditionally,
President will chose his wife to be the right partner to serve as the official hostess
in The White House, as what Ingram (1998-1999, p.487) stated that
“throughout American history, every president has needed someone to serve as his official hostess for state functions. In most cases, this person was the
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Over the years, the role of First Lady has been supposed as largely
symbolic. She is expected to represent an ideal and largely mythical concept of
American womanhood (Clinton, 2003, p.119). In conducting her role, First Lady
is expected does not only focus on her responsibilities as president‟s spouse to be
The White House hostess but also her family life. Kuptz (2003) stated that most
people agree in that First lady should be a supportive and caring wife and mother
and serve as a White House hostess
(http://www.grin.com/e-book/23250/the-political-role-of-the-first-lady-in-the-twentieth-century accessed on accessed on
Saturday, September 4, 2010, 1:10 AM). For most of the next half-century, the
main role of First Lady was to be the White House hostess not only for private
guests, but also for the general public at open house receptions (Anthony in
http://topics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/14/first-ladies-a-short-history/#more-88
accessed on January 13, 2011, 12:31 PM). As president‟s spouse, First Lady has
responsibilities to manage the White House life and diplomatic events which
oblige her to be a good hostess. Nowadays, First Lady seems enlarge her role in
the public area, Kenigsberg (the staff writer of America.gov) pointed out that
Presidential spouses have traditionally been expected to be the country‟s social
hostess, working to organize White House functions and diplomatic events. In recent years, however, first ladies have taken a more public role in developing policy and pursuing their own initiatives (http://www.america.gov/st/usg-english/2009/June/20090629092010degrebsginek0.475445.html accessed on Monday, November 15, 2010, 3:01 PM).
Conducting her role as First Lady in The White House, she will have a special and
valuable project about soft issues, such as health or art or gardening projects
(Healy, 1988, p.xvi). However, nowadays first lady does not only take a role in
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she helps her husband to lead the country by revealing some programs so that the
society could get a better life.
First Lady is an influential women behind the President, as what Byun
(the majority ownership of Mrs-O.org) stated that behind every great man, there's
a great woman
(http://mrs-o.org/newdata/2008/12/24/laurie-munns-first-ladies.html accessed on Friday, August 13, 2010, 9:28 PM). Besides, Bronk (the
staff writer of America.gov) stated that the role of first lady is an unelected,
unpaid position without constitutional responsibilities. But the first lady, who acts
as White House hostess, is also highly influential
(http://www.america.gov/st/elections08-english/2008/July/20080710170543xkknorb0.3995935.html accessed on Monday,
November 15, 2010, 3:01 PM). It means that being the person closest to the most
powerful man in the U.S, First Lady can apply her important influence on her
husband. It is almost the same as Anthony stated that
the role of the first lady, the U.S. president‟s spouse, has evolved from fashion
trendsetter and hostess of White House dinners to a more substantive position. While there have been diverging views on the roles of women in society, the first lady is still a role model for American women. One of the highest-profile jobs in the U.S. government comes with no official duties, no paycheck, and almost limitless possibilities. The first lady can influence the president and can even exercise a degree of political power over policy and legislation
(http://www.america.gov/st/usg-english/2008/September/20080926162204naneerg0.8945886.html accessed on Monday, November 15, 2010, 2:25 PM).
The role of First Lady today is not only becomes the White House hostess and
fashion trendsetter, but also becomes more multifaceted. Although conducting her
role without paycheck and many possibilities, but she has great influence on her
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lets her to be public attention, Givhan (a fashion writer in Washington Post) stated
that in the past century, the first lady always has borne the brunt of the public's
clothing fascination (The Washington Post, 1997, p.F05). There is no doubt that
being the first family, what they are doing, saying, and wearing will be the public
attention (Healy, 1988, p.xv), Moore (Fashion critic) stated that what they have
worn on their activities has been chronicled in newspapers and magazines and,
later, on TV (Moore in Los Angeles Times as cited in
http://www.latimes.com/features/image/la-ig-firstladies18-2009jan18,0,7647191.story accessed on January 13, 2011, 12:31 PM). The
journalists, of course, is just doing what it has to do, which is to tell the public
what it wants to know (Healy, 1988, xv). It is clear that as the president‟s spouse,
consequently her life closes to the media. What her family is doing, saying, and
wearing will be nice issue to discuss and publish. As well as functions to be The
White House hostess, First Lady also becomes a figure for American women,
especially fashion figure. Facing the public, First lady should give the impression
of being great, especially in her fashion style. Most Americans don't want to look
their president and first lady appear like their next door neighbors (Givhan in The
Washington Post, 1997, p.F05). Although First Lady has right to decide the way
how to construct her fashion, but she should consider about the public respect,
Burt states "It sets a tone for herself and for the country and for what the country
can expect” (ibid). She cannot close her eyes to decide on the way how to dress;
the way she interacts, stands, speaks and dresses combine to express the detail of
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Lady will concern about her fashion, Mayo states "They want to find a balance
between fashion and elegance without being gauche in their spending. First ladies
are very aware of that possibility of selecting a dress that's too lavish and
expensive for a democracy" (ibid). Mallis (the creative inspiration behind New
York's Fashion Week) says "most first ladies have always been on a pedestal of
expensive, elegant clothing, of couture evening gowns. It's something that people
can't really relate to"
(http://forums.thefashionspot.com/f50/michelle-obama-august-2008-march-2010-a-71565-216.html accessed on Friday, December 03,
2010, 9:47 AM).
2. The Most Fashionable First Ladies
Period by period, American First Ladies have their own way in
constructing their personality through fashion. They have their own style to build
their image because it could make them confidence in herself, Willingham (First
Lady Style Examiner) stated that,
Throughout the centuries, the first ladies have had various different styles and
fashion tastes which embodied each woman‟s personality. one may have
favored the trendy styles of bargain retailers, while another preferred the elegant fashions of French designers. Although each first lady had different fashion sense, one color can unify them all and almost even capture the essence of who the first lady is and should aspire to be – demure, yet bold in her beliefs and meek, yet self-confident. In whatever she does, it is vital that the first lady be confident in herself and her husband, the president. (http://www.examiner.com/first-lady-style-in-national/first-lady-style-and-fashion-the-lady-red accessed on Monday, February 15, 2010, 12:09 AM).
Historically, there were some fashionable White-American First Ladies
who were able to build their image to be an attractive First Lady and be popular
commit to user a. Dolley Madison (1809-1817)
Dolley Payne Todd Madison was the American First Lady who had an ability
to impress the public through her balancing style between queen and
commoner. “She dressed like royalty and yet was accessible to the people, not
at all snobbish.” To show off her figure, she prefers to choose low-cut gowns
made of delicate fabrics. (Anthony, an author of the two-volume book “First
Ladies” as cited in http://lifestyle.msn.com/your-look/everyday-style/staticslideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=8993451 accessed on Saturday, July
30, 2011, 12:24 PM).
b.Mary Lincoln (1861–1865)
Mary Todd Lincoln believed that looking elegant was important. Anthony
states “She often talked about how important it was for her to dress in a way
that would transmit the image of the Union‟s success”. Unfortunately, her love
in fashion brought her to be more an eye for fashion than a brain for saving
money (Anthony as cited in
http://lifestyle.msn.com/your-look/everyday-style/staticslideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=8993451 accessed on Saturday, July
30, 2011, 12:24 PM).
c. Frances Cleveland (1886–1889 and 1893–1897)
The lovely Frances Folsom Cleveland became the youngest First Lady ever and
woman to get married in the White House when she was 21th. Known as
Frank, she was popular because she was brave enough to show off her youth by
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constructing such kind of style resulted in a petition issued by the Women‟s
Christian Temperance Union advice her to wear more modest clothing.
d.Florence Harding (1921–1923)
Florence Kling Harding was in her 60s when her husband was elected to be the
President of U.S, but she avoided any suggestion to be old-fashioned in
dressing. She embraced the brave fashions of the day, adding her own chic to
every outfit. She dressed herself in flapper style and shiny flecks, and was the
first First Lady photographed wearing pants. “She was an older woman with
gray hair and glasses, but her appearance was kind of eye-popping
nevertheless. Wherever she went, people noticed her,” Anthony says. “She
wasn‟t a young flapper, but in many ways she embodied that vibe.” Her
trademark accessory was a black velvet neckband with a diamond on it.
e. Grace Coolidge (1923–1929)
During a moment in history when women were starting to enter professional
sports and female athletics were becoming more popular, First Lady Grace
Goodhue Coolidge served as a model of sporty modishness. She favored bright
colors, especially red and casual clothing such as culottes and riding pants. She
maintained a kind of casual elegance in formal wear as well. For her White
House portrait, Coolidge chose to wear a slim red sheath dress that showed off
commit to user f. Mamie Eisenhower (1953–1961)
Mamie Doud Eisenhower was “this kind of bubbly Midwestern hyper-stylized
version of June Cleaver,” says Anthony. “She was extraordinarily popular.”
Although often overshadowed by her immediate successor (the inimitable Mrs.
Kennedy) and frequently criticized for her unflattering short bangs, Eisenhower
made all the best-dressed lists of her day, and got particular attention for her
wonderful collection of hats. She never missed an opportunity to don dresses in
pink, her favorite color. Some credit her for making pink one of the most
popular clothing and paint colors of the 1950s.
g. Jackie Kennedy (1961–1963)
Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy was the greatest style icon. This fashion doy enne
defined an era and influenced the wardrobes of women throughout the world. A
gifted drawer, she designed most of her clothing herself. “She often worked
with Oleg Cassini, and he encouraged her original ideas,” Anthony says. “Her
style was rooted in substance. Some of her designs are based on ideas she got
from ancient Egyptian and Greek friezes.” She‟s best known for her clean
solid-color suits, arm-bearing shift dresses, and pillbox hats. Designers copied
her, stores used mannequins that resembled her, and the world embraced her as
the epitome of fresh style and understated glamour. She was nationally and
globally respected as American royalty, charming the world during the early
http://www.savvy-women-commit to user
magazine.com/Fashion/style-icon-jackie-kennedy-onassis.php accessed on
Tuesday, December 22, 2009, 1:20 AM).
h.Betty Ford (1974–1977)
A strong-willed former dancer and model, Betty Bloomer Ford is best known
stylistically for her eye-popping scarves. But her true legacy as a First Lady
fashionista had to do with what the clothes were covering up. Anthony
explains: “She had breast cancer and a mastectomy while in the White House,
and was one of the first people to openly talk about breast cancer. After the
surgery she wore a prosthesis that helped people realize that surgery didn‟t
mean disfigurement. She still looked great. Her narrow, low-cut outfits spoke
for themselves.”
i. Nancy Reagan (1981–1989)
Nancy Davis Regan had a long career in Hollywood before she entered the
political realm, and the result was a wardrobe that looked a little more
Hollywood than Washington. When she moved into the White House, the
wraithlike former actress brought with her a sizable collection of suits and
gowns by the likes of Oscar de la Renta and Adolpho, an inaugural gown worth
over $10,000 and two hairdressers. But her devotion to designer duds got her
into trouble: She accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in free clothing
from designers despite the fact that the president and his wife are not allowed
to take such gifts unless they pay taxes on them. The incident resulted in a
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insisted on pricey (and fabulous) dresses, despite the fact that the country was
in a recession.
“As First Lady in this modern life, Mrs.O is not pleased to live in the shadow of her husband. It means that she wants to be independent, Michelle Obama is a strong role model for all American women and a campaigner who has ability to be an advocate for balancing career with family life, and promotes arts education and healthy eating, particularly among the impoverished” (http://www.suite101.com/content/michelle-obama---first-black-first-lady-of-the-us-a263184 accessed on Monday, January 17, 2011, 12:11 AM).
Living in this modern era in which women have got their right to be equal to men
and independence, Mrs.O realize this condition through her right to choose her
role in balance: her traditional role as a mother and her non-traditional role as a
career woman.
Being the fashionable African-American First Lady, she is compared to
Jacqueline Kennedy for her style sense. Michelle Obama is one of American
fashion icon; since her husband becomes the presidential candidate, she is being
considered as someone with an attractive sense of style. It can be seen from the
existence of her outfits published in plenty of blogs.
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Tuesday, September 08, 2009, 12:08 PM). Helping her husband in leading the
country, Mrs.O reinforced the message behind Barack‟s slogan “"Yes we can,"
through her fashion style
(http://www.examiner.com/x-1229-DC-Fashion--Style-Examiner~y2008m11d5-The-style-evolution-of-Michelle-Obama accessed on
Friday, July 30, 2010, 11:18 PM). In the sense of fashion, Michelle tends to
choose outfit which makes her to be happy, comfortable and beautiful. Being a
figure, she actually wants to conveys women to feel good about themselves and
have fun with fashion
(http://www.vogue.com/magazine/article/michelle-obama-leading-lady/ accessed on Friday, November 12, 2010, 11:12 PM).
Related to her role as first lady, she reveals some programs which close
to her heart: supporting military families, helping working women balance career
and family, encouraging national service, promoting the arts and arts education,
and fostering healthy eating and healthy living for children and families across the
country. Even if she takes some roles in the world of politics, but as her priority
role she places herself to be a mother.
(http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2008/10/17/michelle-obama-as-baracks-first-lady-i-would-work-to-help-working-families-and-military-families accessed
on Monday, January 17, 2011, 9:59 PM). Her positions which manage her career
and family as a working mother indicates the development of women on the roles
of women and men in society today.
a. Supporting Military Families
Supporting military families is one of priorities for Obama‟s
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the wealth of military families since there are many soldiers who fight in the
battle to defend US. Rhee (deputy national political editor) wrote down the US
president‟s speech that,
"I want you to know this: military families are a top priority for Michelle
and me, and they will be a top priority for my administration. We‟ll raise
military pay, and continue providing quality child-care, job-training for spouses, and expanded counseling and outreach to families that have known the separation and stress of war. We will also heed the lesson of history-that
those who fight in battle can form the backbone of our middle class..”
(http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2009/03/michell e_obama_8.html accessed on Monday, January 17, 2011, 8:31 PM).
Basically this program functions to appreciate American soldiers
because of their sacrifice in the battle to defend America; it also functions to
invite American society to appreciate the military soldier‟s families. Michelle
says “Military families have done their duty, and as a grateful nation, American
society must do everything in their power to honor military families by
supporting them; not just by word but by deed” (Michelle in Brown as cited in
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/03/12/michelle_obama_shines_her_
spot.html accessed on Monday, January 17, 2011, 9:18 PM).
b.Helping working women balance career and family
Michelle Obama is a role model for many modern women. She tries
to show her independence as a woman through her choice in balancing work
and family life. Nowadays, there are many people who forced by their
economic feature. Millions of women and men are challenged to balance their
burden over their jobs and the needs of their families. This condition
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Therefore, this program actually functions to help working women and men so
that they do not have to choose between their jobs and meeting the needs of
their families. Unfortunately in fact, it is not easy to balance the needs of the
families and the jobs. Sapiro states “Having a family and a challenging career
at the same time in those days was extremely difficult … that women should
not have to choose between having a career and having a family”
(http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/01/14/meet-women-administration-miriam-sapiro accessed on Monday, January 17, 2011, 9:04 PM)
A strong nation is made up of strong families. Every family ought to
have the chance to make a better future for themselves and their children.
(http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/family accessed on Monday, January 17,
2011, 8:44 PM). Therefore, to encounter this condition, the president
established a White House Task Force on Middle Class Working Families
which is focused on raising the living standards of middle-class, working
families in America (ibid).
c. Let’s Move! initiative
Let’s Move! initiative launched by Michelle Obama, dedicated to
solving the problem of obesity within a generation, so that children born today
will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams. Mrs.O has seriousness
in succeeding this program; therefore she expects American society to lend
their hand over this program. There are five purposes of this program, they are:
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providing healthy food in schools, improving access to healthy, affordable
foods and increasing physical activity (http://www.letsmove.gov/about
accessed on Monday, January 17, 2011, 08: 10 PM).
Let’s Move initiative functions to create an environment where
parents, schools and communities are able to provide healthy life for kids and
families. Sebelius (Secretary of Health and Human Services) says “That means
not just changing habits, but empowering consumers to make better food
choices and teaching them to understand nutrition information. It's also about
taking time out of our busy lives to make sure that kids get the 60 minutes of
daily activity they need to stay healthy.” (Sebelius in
http://www.letsmove.gov/blog/2010/02/18/healthier-families-and-healthier-nation accessed on Monday, January 17, 2011, 7:59 PM). Through the garden
activity, Mrs.O began to have discussion with kids about nutrition and the role
food plays in living a healthy life. That discussion grew into the Let’s Move!
Campaign (http://www.letsmove.gov/about.php accessed on Monday, January
17, 2011, 8:15 PM).
D. FASHION, IMAGE, AND WOMEN
1. The Basic Concept of Fashion
As a verb, fashion means “to make; shape; form; mold; contrive”
(Nachbar and Lause: 300). Anna (the editor and web designer behind The Chic
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of wearing something that is out of your world because it gives you a break from
your life. It's like doing a dress-up
(http://www.thechicfashionista.com/chic-fashion.html accessed on Friday, February 04, 2011, 10.42 AM).
Fashion is closely related to style; “style is about being and existing. It's
creating a statement with your clothing purely based on who you are” says Ana
(ibid). Fashion can be illustrated by body ornamentations, such as clothes which
indeed has some functions: communication, artifactual co-sender, protection,
modesty, etc (Ibrahim in Barnard, p.viii).
“Fashion are ways of being common to a group; ways of dressing, eating or housing. They take on great importance in a society in which superabundance of consumer commodities frees the latter from their primary function (that of protection or nourishment) and allows them to function simply as the sign of
social status” (Gulraud, 1975, p.94).
Barthes stated that according to public opinion, fashion is still located
within a mythology of unfettered creativity that enables it to evade both the
systematic and the habitual, resting upon a rather romantic of an inexhaustible
abundance of spontaneous creativity (Barthes, 2006, p.92). It means that society
still has belief that fashion belongs to a myth which always extend its life without
having limitation. Fashion is a spontaneous creativity which lets people to realize
all ideas in their mind to be existed in the real life without being aware about habit
and systematic.
a. Fashion as Communication
For centuries individuals or groups apply clothes as a method of
communication, Eco (1976) stated that clothes is semiotic tool, communication
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interaction through message (Fiske in Barnard, p.41). It means that indirectly
clothes belong to the method of communication which portrays that people
want to show their image to others, and intuitively fashion and clothes can
illustrate that people want to send their message (Barnard, p.42). Thus, fashion
and clothes can be defined as a communication tool which is used to send
message. Fashion belongs to nonverbal communication, Ibrahim stated that
Clothes has communicative function; clothes, costume and ornamentation can be classified in the artifactual communication (communication through clothes and artifact construction, i.e. clothes, adornment, jewelry, button, or furniture and decoration). Since fashion and clothes bring nonverbal messages, thus they are classified into nonverbal communication (Ibrahim in Barnard, p.vi-vii).
It is clear that clothes, costume and ornamentation are nonverbal
communication because they bring nonverbal message, and they can be
classified into artifactual communication (communication which can be done
by using clothes, adornment, jewelry, button, or furniture and decoration).
2. Fashion and Image
Fashion is not merely as a method to provide women beauty to others,
but it is also a method to build image. Barthes stated that we choose our clothes to
affirm who we are and how our personality (Barthes in Sukolo, 2009, p.33).
Carlyle stated that clothes is emblems of the soul (Carlyle in Barnard, p.vi), so it
is clear that fashion which is adhered on the body functions to enlighten
personality, provides public mindset to build an image which represent the wearer.
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fashion are sign for particular person with particular role; thus they are expected
to act in particular way (Barnard, p. 89).
Images like a language because they have a structure that affects the
ways in which people read meanings inside. As with language, images may be
then become the sites of struggle over meaning (Brummett, 1951, p.211). It means
that image will occur meaning which can be read by others as like language. Thus,
image which is occurred by fashion also has meaning. Indeed, there is nobodies
assume that what people wear has no meaning (Barnard, p.43).
Since the importance of fashion is to gain public image, it forces people
to construct their own persona in order the public give them image based on
uniqueness which they want to build; as what Barnard stated that fashion and
clothes are method used by individual to differ themselves as individual and to
show their uniqueness (Barnard, p.85). Since what we wear, how and when we
wear clothe could provide identity; Barnard shows that Fashion and clothes as a
method to communicate identities of class, gender, sex and social (Barnard,
p.xiv).
Fashion is closely related to women‟s life, because women are the
fashionable sex (Nachbar and Lause, 1992, p.300). Living in this modern era,
women have subject positions that place them in the patriarchal work of
domesticity and beautification or, increasingly of being a mother and having
career and being able to explore one‟s individuality and looking attractive
(Barker, 2000, p.314). In other words, women do many activities and variant roles
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expects them to join in the working field. Being women, they could not ignore
that they have burden to be attractive because they do tend to make themselves as
objects of the male gaze, as what Beger stated that
Men act and women appear. Men look at women. Women watch themselves being looked at. This determines not only most relations between men and women, but also the relation of women to themselves (Beger in Nachbar and Lause, 1992, p.300).
According to Lourdes (an internationally recognized Image Consultant),
women can be characterized based on their style personality: Feminine, natural,
dramatic, and classic (Lourdes as cited in
http://lourdesofstyle.com/tag/style-personality/ accessed on Thursday, February 03, 2011, 14:50 PM).
a. Feminine
Feminine woman is a girlie girl, she is the caring and nurturing woman. She is
soft and delicate in personality which then relates to their style. Woman in this
type is usually quite soft spoken, she could make people around feel
comfortable. In constructing her style, she prefers wearing fabrics which are
soft, delicate and simple in design. Feminine woman loves clothing with pretty
details, ruffles and bows. Moreover, she loves floral accessories such as a scarf
& other accessories such as pearls, brooches
(http://lourdesofstyle.com/tag/style-personality/ accessed on Thursday,
February 03, 2011, 14:50 PM). In choosing color for her outfit, feminine
woman tends to use pastel color or soft dusty such as off white, powder pink,
lavender, peach or salmon pink can be lovely impression for a woman (Sukolo,
commit to user b.Natural
Lourdes states “the natural woman is a woman who is friendly and easy going;
they are usually informal and very down to earth.” In choosing her outfits she
prefer to be comfortable, simple and practical. Natural woman is a kind of girl
who tends to choose wearing jeans and T-shirts a lot of the time. They are
athletic, and loves the outdoors activities; moreover, they loves freedom life
(http://lourdesofstyle.com/tag/style-personality/ accessed on Thursday,
February 03, 2011, 14:50 PM). People in this type are active, outdoor and
natural (Sukolo, 2009, p.37). Saleem (EzineArticles.com Expert Author) stated
that casual style is preferred over the formal style to the easiness and comfort.
It makes people feel at home and thus results in mental satisfaction
(http://ezinearticles.com/?Casual-Style&id=4183614 accessed on Thursday,
February 03, 2011, 13:39 PM). Casual people tends to choose flat shoes rather
than high heels, T-shirt chic rather than shirt with ruffles. However, they still
can be fashionable by dressing colorful T-shirt (Sukolo, 2009, p.37). A bright
colored lightweight tee shirt will keep you comfortable the whole day (Saleem
in http://ezinearticles.com/?Casual-Style&id=4183614 accessed on Thursday,
February 03, 2011, 13:39 PM).
c. Dramatic
Woman in dramatic style love something that makes a statement. They love
attention and tend to be leaders; their confidence makes other often feel a
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(http://lourdesofstyle.com/tag/style-personality/ accessed on Thursday,
February 03, 2011, 14:50 PM). People in this type are easy to attract public
attention, and usually called as Drama Queen; that is people being public
attention due to their whole brave appearance different to others, and they feel
confidence with their style (Sukolo, 2009, p.35).
d.Classic
Classic woman usually seen to have a solid and timeless style, they show
authority and wisdom. Lourdes states “their clothing sends the message of
Authority, creditability, respect and maturity.”
(http://lourdesofstyle.com/tag/style-personality/ accessed on Thursday,
February 03, 2011, 14:50 PM). Classic style is concern about elegant
simplicity. Women in this style believe that they have natural attraction,
gorgeous, and great. Classic style has eternal characteristic, and it reflects
elegant in simplicity (Sukolo, 2009, p.43). Classic people dress more
conservative than other fashionistas and their wardrobe consists of a lot of
neutrals such as black, gray, navy blue and beige; this is a style many women
tend to be drawn to because of the simplicity and chic'ness
(http://www.thechicfashionista.com/classic-clothing-personality.html accessed
on Monday, February 28, 2011, 09:50 AM). Ninomiya (a writer of ehow
website) stated that every classic can be dressed up for weddings, funerals and
professional settings. It can also be dressed down for nights on the town or
after work occasions. The classic suit is dark and solid.
