Sleeveless in Seattle (and New York, and Atlanta, and Detroit...)

Outside the Today Show studio window, the snow was coming down hard.

Inside, Today Show co-hosts Savannah Guthrie and Natalie Morales were on camera, telling millions of viewers about the latest blizzard that had gripped the East Coast.

"It's the coldest winter in recorded history!" gushed Savannah. "I know, it's just freezing...brrrrr" remarked Natalie, doing a little fake shiver.

Matt Lauer chimed in about the frigid weather, too. But he was wearing a suit.     Both of the ladies were wearing sleeveless, summery cocktail dresses. In the middle of a blizzard. In the middle of January.

I switched channels to MSNBC, only to find "Morning Joe" co-host Mika Brzezinksi sporting a bright cobalt blue sleeveless sheath dress. She looked like she was going clubbing. But instead, she was headed into a heated debate on healthcare reform with Joe Scarborough.

I hit the remote again. There was Kelly Ripa, flaunting her ripa'd biceps in a tight, sleeveless frock.

No need to check on Fox. Every woman on Fox News goes sleeveless.      Fox practically invented the "sexy anchor" look. Foxy Meghan Kelly would sooner come out in favor of gun control than appear on camera in a dress that covered her well toned guns.

Everytime I turn on the tv, I see female reporters and tv hosts of every age wearing the ubiquitous sleeveless sheath dress uniform. Andrea Mitchell shows up for White House briefings in skimpy sleeveless dresses. On CNN, Ashleigh Banfield routinely goes sleeveless, but balances the look with her trademark     Clark Kent glasses that say, "I'm a serious reporter. No seriously, I am."   

Recently on MSNBC, the earnest and professorial Melissa Harris-Perry uncharacteristically showed up in a halter dress so provocative, it gave the network's tagline, "Lean Forward" a whole new meaning.

Sleeveless, and its slightly more demure cousin, the tiny cap sleeve, is the          new blazer. The only holdouts I've seen are Cristiane Amanpour, Rachel Maddow and Candy Crowley. I don't think we'll see any of them rocking the sleeveless and stilletos look anytime soon. But I fear that at this very moment, Candy Crowley is being pressured by some network exec to slim down, hit the Stairmaster, and squeeze into a sexy, plus-sized number by the mid-term elections.

And the sleeveless trend isn't limited to just the gals on the national news.      Even on my local news, our less than glamorous anchorwomen flaunt their arms nightly in sleeveless dresses that scream K-mart more than couture. And needless to say, every female weather reporter would wear sleeveless even in a tsunami. Wearing tight, sexy clothes is clearly a job requirement.

Look, I know it gets hot under tv studio lights. But did the heat just recently become so intolerable that it suddenly necessiated an all-sleeveless-all-the-time wardrobe?

I don't think so.

What I think is that a) producers insist their female on-camera talent dress in an overtly sexy way, showing as much skin as possible, to boost ratings and b) many of those females spend hours in the gym and want to show off their toned upper arms.

Look, if my upper arms were ready for prime time, I might want to show          them off, too. But not every day.  And not all year long.

I still cling to the antiquated notion that some clothes are seasonally appropriate. I know, it's an outmoded concept. But I'm sticking to it. You want to wear sleeveless?  Wait till August. If it's the middle of January, I don't want to see skin. I want to see sleeves. Or better yet, a sweater.

And if you're reporting on a serious news story, sleeveless just doesn't look all      that serious. So why have news outlets traded serious for sexy?  To attract more male viewers?  Or because they can't afford to spring for dresses with sleeves? I'm all for women looking feminine and attractive on tv. But that's different from dressing like the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Should we blame Michelle Obama for starting the sleeveless trend?  Perhaps.     The First Lady looks great in her sleeveless dresses, and I don't blame her for flaunting her seriously toned arms while she can. But it's gone too far.

Are tv producers so desperate for viewers that they have to turn every female newscaster into a sexy bombshell? And the bigger and more disturbing question is, why are women going along with it? Why do seemingly intelligent women slavishly follow every fashion trend and try so hard to look like Kardashians while trying to sound like Edward R. Murrow?

I don't get it.

We've come a long way, baby. Which is why I long to see long sleeves.

 

 

 

Comments

[Laurel Wroten]

The most bizarre example of this phenomenon is Judy Woodruff on PBS News Hour. She certainly has buffed up arms for a woman in her sixties, but try following a discussion of global monetary policy when you're busy wondering how much gym time the interviewer is putting in and whether there's hope for your own flabby biceps...

[Marcie Judelson]

I hear you! I have the same reaction. My self esteem plummets every time I see her toned biceps.

[Joanie Jones]

Wow Marcie! I just found your blog and your writing is brilliant! You need to write for comedy TV - I think you would have great ideas for all of us Shirley Temple fans - the boomers - and could come up with a "Seinfeldesque" show. I think you strike a deep chord with many upper 40 - 50 somethings and more who feel neglected or simply can't relate to the younger culture. Although, your writing at the same time, seems timeless! I loved your mattress experience! Thank you for sharing your genious!

[Claire]

Yes! Same in Australia. I'm sitting on the couch in the middle of winter in boots, jumper and coat (with a rug over my knees) while the women on TV news and talk shows are sporting tans and pretty, colourful, fitted sleeveless dresses! I wondered aloud the same thing to my housemate (why are they wearing that?). I'd love to be able to wear that now, but gee, it's COLD!

[sunnie atkinson]

I agree with all the observations and comments. However, most of the women I observe do not... DO NOT have attractive upper arms. I think the entire "scene" is actually very pathetic. When I was in college, majoring in sociology, students were frequently encouraged to bring to classes ads from newspapers and magazines that belittled women. Now, it appears, these powerful women are simply belittling themselves. It's not a pretty site.

[Jen]

Judy woodruff has the classiest most beautiful clothes

[Marcie Judelson]

I agree! She is the exception.

[Eileen Mance]

Even though Judy Woodruff has toned arms, there is still aged, wrinkled skin which cannot be hidden. Being a few years older than Judy, and in good shape, I would never bare my arms on television or anyplace outside the privacy of my home. Every time I see her in a sleeveless or capped sleeve dress, I want to tell her, "Look in a mirror; this look is NOT attractive."

[Marcie Judelson]

I know what you mean, Eileen. I've noticed that, too. Do they all have a clause in their contracts saying they have to wear sleeveless??

[Teresa]

I agree with all of your posts! But, tune in and look at all the long sleeves on these ladies today and it's spring! I'm confused? Can someone explain it to me? No sleeves in winter and long sleeves in spring.