Dress code in the Missouri State House of Representatives became stricter—just for women—ordering them to show less skin in the Show Me State’s House chamber.
In a vote of 105 to 51, the Missouri State House adopted the legislation on Wednesday, January 11. A woman—Republican State Rep. Ann Kelley—pushed for the stricter dress code. She reportedly wanted to mirror the dress code put in place for men, requiring jackets; the men’s dress code remained unchanged.
“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?” Democratic State Rep. Ashley Aune said. There are 116 men compared to only 43 women in the Missouri House. “This is ridiculous,” Aune added.
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“You would think that all you would have to do is say, ‘Dress professionally,’ and women could handle it,” Kelley replied. “You would think elected officials could handle that.”
“I don’t think I’m qualified to say what’s appropriate or not appropriate for women, and I think that is a really dangerous road for us all to go down,” Democratic State Rep. Peter Merideth said, refusing to vote on the legislation.
“I think we’re being quite pedantic here by making rules so petty,” Democratic State Rep. Raychel Proudie also said on Wednesday 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.”
“We are fighting—again—for a woman’s right to choose for something. This time, it’s how she covers herself—and the interpretation of someone who has no background in fashion,” Proudie added. “I spent $1,200 on a suit, and I can’t wear it in the People’s House because someone who doesn’t have the range tells me that it’s inappropriate.”
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The new measure says: “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.”
A number of prominent Democrats and activists have called the new dress code sexist and outdated.
“Just finished floor debate explaining why knit blazers do not include cardigans on an amendment restricting what women can wear in the House. Why would we need to add additional class barriers to the idea that anyone could represent the people,” Democratic State Rep. Jamie J. Johnson tweeted.
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US Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) tweeted, “Republicans continue to codify their brand of sexism and misogyny but let’s hear more about that gas stove outrage…smh.”
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Former US senator from Missouri Claire McCaskill tweeted, “Missouri House of Representatives. Adamantly opposed to any govt suggestion of wearing a mask but now busy telling elected women Representatives to cover their arms. SMH.”
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“Why are male Missouri lawmakers afraid of seeing women’s bare arms? If you’re that unable to control yourself, you should seek help—not elected office,” founder of Moms Demand Action Shannon Watts tweeted.
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As of 2021, over half of the state legislatures have a required dress code, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, many of them making distinctions between “appropriate” male and female attire. In Montana female lawmakers “should be sensitive to skirt lengths and necklines,” while in Georgia and North Carolina, women are required to sport “dignified dress.”
This post was originally published in Vanity Fair.
