Legally Fashionable

A woman confidently walks into a bar and orders a martini. To her delight because she’s in her favorite mini dress, she gets it graciously paid for - a nod to the power of positive attraction women can harness. The same woman walks into a classroom and asks a question. But because she’s in her favorite mini dress, she gets nothing but demeaning blank stares and whispers. Consider this sartorial paradox- why is looking fashionably fabulous only rewarded in certain situations?

It's the heartbreaking truth: Women who succeed in both elegance and intelligence often have their credibility questioned.

It's as if the founding fathers wrote a separate article in our constitution with the dress code for successful women. Clearly it did not include anything of taste or a clause about creative expression. I mean, unless Vogue said so, who on earth decided the pinnacle of a smart woman is found only in black heels? Heels are heels and whether they are a pop of yellow or iconic red bottoms, they should have no impact on the way we are perceived. Call me a Brit because I will be rejecting any sort of outdated notion that appearance is a measure of intelligence. The classroom and runway are not mutually exclusive. Take a look at Amal Clooney, Natalie Portman, or Bridget Mendler who have never missed a red carpet look nor lecture. It is time to rewrite the preconceived notion that a stylish exterior outshines a brilliant mind. Let your own success be a testament to the fact that beauty and brains can indeed co-exist. As Elle Woods once said, “I taught Bruiser how to shop online. I think I can handle Congress.”

If we can be legally blonde, we sure can be legally fashionable. Success is best achieved in a confidently unapologetic style.