5 prohibitions that first ladies should take into account
Being the president's wife is not only a pleasure, but also a hard daily job. When the attention of millions is focused on the husband, the spouse must maintain his correct image in the eyes of the world community. Usually, the first lady's clothes and makeup are handled by stylists, but even if she decides to prepare herself for going out "into the people", she should not deviate from the unwritten rules of fashion prevailing in high politics.
It's hard not to notice how actively the outfits, jewelry and manners of the first ladies of the states are being discussed. It would not be an exaggeration to say that more attention is focused on them than on the presidents themselves. Remember how many times you've heard about Donald Trump's wardrobe over the past year. A little, isn't it? When discussing a high-ranking politician, they usually mention his decisions and actions, not the color of his tie and the style of his shoes.
But Melania Trump, accompanying her husband at official meetings, is evaluated in the smallest detail. You can also say about Brigitte Macron and in general about any modern "Mrs. President". So what is blamed by the inexorable rules in the wardrobe and make-up of the first ladies?
1. No stockings or tights.
Donald and Malania Trump rush to an official meeting
According to the generally accepted etiquette, women should not come to official events with bare legs. The only first lady who completely ignores this rule is Donald Trump's wife Melania. It is not known why, but she basically appears at all receptions and meetings without tights or stockings.
2. Open shoes.
Igor Dodon and his wife
The spouses of presidents should not appear in public in sandals or any other open shoes. Even if the first lady is wearing stockings without seams on the toes, her toes and heel should be hidden from prying eyes. This rule is generally observed, but there are exceptions. Galina Dodon, the wife of the President of Moldova, often neglects this point, and Melania Trump, by the way, too.
3. Red lipstick.
Polish President Andrzej Duda and Finnish President Sauli Niinisto with their wives
If we talk about makeup, then one of the most important requirements for the wives of politicians is restraint in colors. Red lipstick is not considered by default when preparing for any official and semi-official meetings. This is completely logical, because the attention of those present should be focused on the president, and not on the sensual lips of his wife.
4. Sitting in the leg-on-leg position.
Michelle Obama neglected both stockings and recommended poses even at the memorial service
The president's wife, and indeed any respectable politician, absolutely cannot sit cross-legged. This pose is considered aggressively sexual, provocative in most Eastern cultures and is not welcome in business etiquette.
Of course, it is very difficult to sit still during a long meeting, so there are leg positions specially recommended for official occasions, such as the Cambridge cross (knees together, ankles gracefully crossed) or the Duchess's tilt (knees and ankles are closed, but tilted to one side).
5. Bright manicure.
The first lady of the country needs to forget about such an applied art form as nail art, at least for a while while her husband is the head of state. Bright shades, mother-of-pearl, rhinestones and sequins are prohibited by the inexorable rules of etiquette.
Of course, these are far from all the rules that women of the first persons of the state should adhere to, but it is the non-compliance with these norms that, first of all, catches the eye of observers.
Keywords: Meeting | Wives | Presidents | Summit | Etiquette