In Washington Post is the name of Pelosi's tailor (or what would be called a tailor if Pelosi was a man). The associated article states:
But what does a woman of great power look like? Does she choose her own version of camouflage and, as Hillary Rodham Clinton famously did during her first campaign for the Senate, wear a black pantsuit as a personal uniform? Does she wear stiffly tailored suits and a lapel festooned with patriotic brooches in the manner of former secretary of state Madeleine Albright? Or, like current Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, does she mix professorial reserve with a hint of confident sex appeal?
Pelosi had to decide how a woman who will be second in line of succession to the presidency should look. And what she came up with is someone who wears a neutral-colored, softly tailored power suit. One that is accessorized with style rather than rote references to love of country. She looks dignified and serious. And in this case, she also happens to look quite good.
And yes, the article is in the fashion section, and yes, it is true that we really don't have a clear dress language for powerful women who are powerful because of their own professional achievements. But isn't it interesting how quickly we have decided to talk about clothes?
Oh, and just for comparison: The current Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert (on the left):
