How female candidates can dress for political success

A story in today's WaPost highlights Nancy Pelosi's wardrobe. While I find it interesting that it is common for journalists to write about what female politician's wear (they almost never do that about men), I do think that it is instructive for female candidates to study what works -- especially since my article "Dress for political success" (PDF) -- contained more detail about how male candidates should dress. Here's an excerpt:

"There are many ways for a woman to dress in a professional manner, from Ellen Tracy and St. John to Chanel and Akris. Putting on an Armani suit sends a message as pointed as if a man chooses shirts from Turnbull & Asser instead of Arrow. That man is not trying to be flashy, but he is intimately aware of the value of a winning appearance, both in the way in which others respond to it and also in the way in which it makes him feel. He isn't simply trying to be appropriate: He is aiming for dapper. He aspires to give off a brighter sheen than his colleagues. There is a bit of quiet one-upmanship in the choice."