As we discussed yesterday, Amal Clooney was part of the legal team that got the former president of the Maldives out of jail. Amal wore a nonsensical coat – with lobster, hand and cat buttons/brooches – when she and the team went to 10 Downing Street over the weekend. Then on Monday, Amal and the team held a press conference at Amal’s law firm in London. For the press conference, Amal wore this red suit. And people are still talking about it.
No one has the ID on this suit, which makes me wonder if this is something older that she’s had in her closet for years. I still think the suit is pretty good, minus the velvet trimming, which just makes it seem more like a Christmas-only suit rather than something appropriate for business meetings. I saw some criticism of the color, like Amal wanted to ensure that she stood out, that she was the diva dressed in blood red. I don’t know… I think red is her color and I think it’s fine for women to wear red to meetings, conferences, etc. Is it such a tragedy to stand out?
That being said, I do think Amal’s styling was too “vampy” for the occasion. She paired her red suit with big curls, epic Salvatore Ferragamo stilettos, a Dolce & Gabbana tote and an inky black manicure. The whole look ended up being very… attention-grabbing. Oh, and she’s still wearing her giant engagement ring. And she’s still touching her hair a lot.
Photos courtesy of Getty, Fame/Flynet and WENN.
Why wouldn’t she be wearing her engagement ring? They didn’t break up, did they?
http://www.celebitchy.com/458296/amal_clooney_wants_a_new_smaller_less_blinged-out_engagement_ring_for_work/
Insufferable. Whipping her hair around for the camera, again. Mrs. Clooney would claim the Devil had suffered a human rights violation for his bad press in the Bible if she thought it would get her a simpering photo op, a hair flip, and a chance to showboat in couture.
The ring is too big for day wear. It is certainly inappropriate for business wear.
You don’t just wear anything because it is your engagement ring. There are more important considerations for working women. And there is absolutely a sensitivity factor when wearing the ring is tantamount to just poor taste.
I don’t see anything inappropriate with her suit. It’s fine.
In meetings many ladies with larger rings will flip their jewels inward to the underside of the hand. It’s a curtesy to avoid flaunt and distraction.
And many ladies with rings larger than most have duplicates/alternates made for less glam activities like errands. Also for insurance reasons. My ring stays in a bank box and I wear a duplicate for day to day. Always turning it inward if entering a moreprofessional environment.
A ring that size in those settings. It’s wanted to be noticed. For whatever reason.
That really isnt that big of a ring, nor distracting at all. It’s a nice size emerald cut diamond, probably 6-8 carats if I had to guess. It’s pretty understated as far as medium size rings go. I don’t think that it’s at all necessary for her to turn it inward. that’s not a J-lo size diamond by any means, and she has tiny hands so there’s no way it could be 10-15 carats, which would be crazy blingy.
I understand keeping some jewellery locked away, I do. But your engagement ring and wedding band should be worn, unless you’re visiting a place of poverty out of respect, or a place with a high crime rate for security.
Amal’s ring looks pretty elegant to me, and flipping your ring out of ‘courtesy to avoid flaunt and distraction’ in a professional setting smacks of false modesty.
It says ‘my ring is so big! I’d better turn it over so you peasants and magpies will be able to concentrate on your work’, and if it’s large enough to be that distracting, I’d say it’s probably pretty tacky in the first place.
@ lana, I agree it sounds ridiculous. If your ring is so valuable that you can’t actually wear it without fearing you’ll lose it, then it sounds like a ring you couldn’t afford in the first place. Unless it’s an antique, but even so, why get it copied? What’s the point of owning something that’s meant to be worn if you can’t actually wear it?
Engagement rings are meant to be worn and noticed, at least in modern Western society. I think her ring is not so big that it would be distracting in a professional environment. I’ve seen blingier.
Maybe it doesn’t phase me at all because I live on the edges of a super, super wealthy community. At the grocery store, I see ladies with hugely elaborate wedding sets that cost a literal fortune, while they shop in their $200 yoga pants.
I’m with you. Gina. I have never attended a meeting in which a woman felt the need to hide her ring so I wouldn’t get distracted from the matter at hand. I would be offended if she did. But we have to use something to criticize Amal, don’t we? Apparently today will be the “how dare she wear her engagement ring” day.
The only time I turn my ring around is if I’m walking around the city and don’t want to draw attention to anyone who might think they should have it instead of me. I don’t think Amal’s ring is that blingy, I like it.
Haha, the ring story.
My goodness, what’s wrong with this woman?
She looks like vanity in person.
Huh? She looks fine. Idgi?
Imo, it’s just a little over the top for a business meeting by a respected lawyer. Btw, that’s not an attractive woman. She’s using all the other things, engagement ring, coat, hair, shoes, nail polish ect , they are all lovely. I believe she knows she is unattractive so she’s trying to take eyes away from that nose and chin. Now I’ll run and hide. Remember, this is just my opinion and we all have an opinion, good or bad.
If she weren’t Amal married to George and was still a lowly associate trying to prove herself at work, this could seem over the top. I commented on the hair yesterday, something about it reminds me of my kid/Disney princesses. But my perspective is skewed–my mom was an attorney before many women were (and a single mom) and so had to play the game differently. I think Amal is beautiful–and will amend my thinking to good for her for having enough confidence/power to dress how she wants.
She can’t really help her nose and chin unless she has surgery.
I think she’s exotically pretty but way too skinny; makes her look harsh and gaunt.
She’s atleast 1 nose job as far as cosmetic procedures. Look back at pre george photos and it’s noticed.
I agree with you…. I just posted that at first glance I swear it’s Michael Jackson for a seocond….
I think Amal has a look that is common among many ethnicities throughout South Asia and the middle east.
I’m partial to her look because I am from this region as well. I love her skin tone, strong nose, dark full hair( may be naturally curly) and large eyes. You will find many women who like some version of her in these communities.
One can compare it to how Jennifer Lawrence, with her very white skin, blond hair and tiny nose represents a common European and white American look. Yet on this site, I often read how beautiful Jennifer is and how unattractive Amal is. Can’t we have a broader range of beauty?
“Remember, this is my opinion”
Sure, and it’s some people’s “opinion” that actors who aren’t white, don’t do good enough work to be nominated for top professional honours in their field (aka Oscars).
Just like it’s some people’s “opinion” that people with features that mark them as rather obviously not white, are ugly and therefore shouldn’t be seen or represented in popular media, or not with any prominence anyway.
I see your ‘opinion’ and what it really means, and you’re not getting a pass on this one.
Funny thing is, most white europeans of anglo sax descent do not have cute tiny button noses. I find that they either have strong, thin, sharp and long noses or potato noses.
The barbie ones are rare.
Heck, East Africans have the most stereotypical barbie noses I have seen naturally.
So, teacakes, if someone finds her nose and chin unattractive, that makes that person racist? That’s incredibly judgemental…not to mention ridiculous.
http://amaltouchingherhair.tumblr.com/
I think she’s very attractive.
@Robin – her kind of nose is a feature that’s extremely common in women of Arab/Iranian descent, so yeah, saying it makes her unattractive is kind of a big honking sign you think a good chunk of people of a certain ethnicity, are unattractive.
Too bad it looks like I hit a nerve, please reflect on yourself.
I think she’s a handsome woman.
Is that ok to say?
Like, I don’t find her outrageously gorgeous but she’s polished and put-together, which I find attractive. Also, she has a great, enviable head of hair and nice skin.
That being said, I prefer my button nose lol.
But I also have a heart-shaped face. I definitely don’t have the beautiful bone structure that she has to support a strong nose. I’m surprised she had a nose job…seems like her nose as it is now fits her face perfectly.
Final analysis: I think she’s very handsome and attractive and I would kill for her hair.
@bna fn
She was ranked as the hottest barrister in london well before meeting clooney, so i doubt “she knows that she is unattractive”
Really! What is it with these sexist remarks about this woman!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2393674/Here-come-girls-The-hottest-women-Bar-measure-Britains-best-looking-male-barristers.html
Kitten
No! That’s very racist of you btw.
(couldn’t resist as this thread is getting that out of control)
http://a.disquscdn.com/uploads/mediaembed/images/1368/3025/original.jpg
I think it was highly uncalled for to say her nose and chin – things no one can change without surgery – make her unattractive, especially when her profession isn’t about her looks the way a model’s would be.
If anyone feels uncomfortable with this thread getting “out of control”, I’m not apologising for telling the OC exactly what I thought of their “opinion” and the reasons for it (and Kitten, it is quite ok to find Amal unattractive for various reasons, I personally think her off-duty style is a hot mess, but what I objected to was OC saying she was no beauty and that her facial features were the problem).
(and no, all the arguments that she smiles at the paps/is “thirsty” do not constitute any good reason to call her nose and chin unattractive either).
I think she’s basically pretty. But her outfit is great. Would definitely wear it.
Wow this thread has gone haywire. I think the original comment is mean, but it is not racist or hating one type of people. Guess what a lot of people don’t like certain type of noses or chins so what. Sorry but I do take offense and think it’s worse to say her nose and chin are common of women of Arab/Iranian descent. First her nose isn’t even the one she was born with as she had a very obvious nose job several years back. Second I married into a Lebanese family same as Amal’s and none of the women have that nose or chin. Just saying so it isn’t my experience, but hey you probably think all asians, hispanics and blacks look alike too. See the problem with the comment now!!!!
I understand that she is a celeb because of her marriage to Clooney and her super lawyer status etc but tbh she really overdressed – red suit that hair the heels even that ring – just too much – and her habit of touching her hair all the time – I wonder why she doesn’t keep her hair up for a change – if this was work – very distracting imo –
I think she looks fine, too. I don’t really like her, but I also don’t get what the big deal is here. I love the red suit. Bold color, sure, but I’ve seen ladies in similar colors at work.
She looks great. She knows how to dress and be stylish. Most professional women don’t have any idea how to dress. I love her look.
Me too. I also like her nails….nothing wrong with that.
+1
Me too. Power dressing needn’t mean dressing like a man or like… Goop.
I agree. I work in a big law firm and frankly, I have no idea why women often think the only appropriate way to dress is navy blue pantsuit. Never mind the fact that some don’t seem to own a brush or mascara. I’m not saying professional women all need to look like Amal and when they have kids, I get that there is not time for a blowout or perfectly manicured nails but good gawd. None of the men here would get away with unkempt hair and not shaving. Run a brush through it is all I’m saying.
Because for years women lawyers have had to work twice as hard and be a team player and make it rain without “distracting” men with our looks, clothes, makeup, accessories, etc. We have been told all along to be one of the boys in order to get ahead and to deemphasize our femininity. After a while, we realized it was often easier to just blend into the background, keep our heads down, and dress for comfort and anonymity. It does not surprise me than many women lawyers eventually give up trying to look good in favour of looking busy and bland.
A public/professional figure/situation wearing an attention grabbing color in a tight suit wth hair down and everywhere. India I never knew you felt that way 😉
Her look isn’t feasible for professional women who don’t have stylists and access to couture. If you have to work every day and not just here and there, you are not always going to have the blowout hair and super stylish everything. That doesn’t mean looking bad, but there are some times you actually need to work and so taking two hours to get ready is two hours away from the time you actually need to get work done.
And wearing stillettos makes dragging your litigation bag around harder.
I don’t mind her suit, but if she is going to wear her hair down she needs to stop playing with it so much. Many women with long hair wear it up for work or court so that the hair isn’t in the way.
She sure has access to makeup professioanls. But her work wear is always great. Her informal style is weird. But otherwise I find her pretty. I carry a spare pair of flats for when I drive else I too wear heels at work . And getting a blow dry for an important meeting – or in her case a pre-planned press ocnference- no biggie. Except I can afford it on my own. In Amal’s case, she being a Junior barrister, it mostly points to George footing these bills…I do have lawyer friends and with only a couple of years of experience they wont have such name dropping labels in their closet..and that’s where I sort of dislike her or George’s propoganda. And at this point she almost seems like the public face of her firm with actual lawyers doing the leg work behind the scenes.
That said.. I loved the lobster button on her jacket and I need to know where it is from 😛
seriously, are we picking on a professional woman in 2015 for wearing heels and having a blowout? And wearing a colour that isn’t dark or neutral?
I don’t like her informal style but this is just pearl-clutching. She’s not obliged to dress exactly like every other professional woman when she obviously (by whatever means) has the budget to get those blowouts and wear the heels.
Good points.
seriously, I will never understand the pearl-clutching over the mere fact of a woman wearing (gasp!) RED.
So it’s bright. So what? It’s a solid colour (I would have understood the complaints if it was a big loud splashy print), in a fairly conservative cut that my own office wouldn’t blink at.
And don’t even get me started on people picking at her for wearing heels or having her hair down. I hate wearing them, but are we really behaving as if women in 2015 don’t wear heels to the office? I must have been imagining all those women I used to see on the Tube in business suits and sneakers, with heels ready to switch into the minute they were through the doors of their offices. Amal obvs never has to take the Tube, she gets to skip the sneakers part of it.
I wish I could wear red. But the ultimate ginge that is me looks bad in red. 🙁
Well said Teacakes.
I think she looks really nice and professional. Then again, I’m wearing workout pants and sneakers right now, so I’m probably not the best judge of office-appropriate clothing choices.
@paranormalgirl Try it. The shade she has on would look great on a redhead. I’m a ginge too, and some reds, maroons, pinks are my best colours. It took me until into my 40’s to realize it because I’d always been told that redheads should avoid red and pink.
I think a redhead could pull this off if the hair is a more coppery/strawberry shade or even a brownish shade.
The level of hate Amal inspires among other women is astounding to me. I’ve nodded along with several of your comments on this post, Teacakes, up to and including the accusations of veiled racism and ethnocentrism. The comments section on any Amal post is a hate read for me at this point.
I don’t really see anything wrong or vampy with what she is wearing.
The skirt is a good length, there is no exposed skin/cleavage and she’s wearing stockings. I think she looks good.
I do, too. It’s professional without being boring.
Love her manicure and ring.
I think she looks good. She looks competent and powerful. I feel like if I saw her in real life I may feel intimidated.
You know, for men that’s a desired reaction. Would it be better if she wore a shapeless pant suit?
I have absolutely nothing against this lady, she is obviously well educated, and employed, and her sartorial choices for work are her own business, and as long as she looks clean, and well put together, I have no bone to pick with her. However, and it is a big one, with all her financial resources, she chooses this travesty of a suit to wear. I am no expert, but just look at the construction and fit of these items. The neck line is mis-shapen, and the skirt is bunching and ill-fitting, to me it looks like she picked it off the bargain rack at Goodwill, (nothing against Goodwill, they are a God send and do great work). The tailoring or lack of, is abysmal. Surely she has an enormous availability of polished/professional items to choose from her ward-robe? I look better than her shopping at Albertsons!
THIS^^^^^
Wait did you know that Goodwill is a scam? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-hrabe/the-worst-corporation-in-_b_1876905.html check this out and I like the suit. You go girl!
There, there…now I feel better. SOMEBODY besides me noticed how ill fitting that suit is on her. She is bone thin at the bottom…well, all over but it really really shows in that skirt. It’s so frumpy looking on her…and she still walks toed-in like she needed leg braces as a child. She doesn’t look good in that outfit at all…in my opinion…but again…she’s all about being noticed…and this outfit got her the attention she’s continually pretending not to seek. If you notice her in EVERY picture…she’s never looking where they are going…George is doing that. She’s looking directly at the camera…and if she doesn’t spot one…she’s looking for one. Ring hand up tugging on her hair…lets not miss that rock he gave her…heaven forbid. She’s all about the attention…that frail little body will never support a pregnancy. LOL
While a bit over the top for a business meeting, I don’t really have a problem with it. She is appropriately covered up. This is a woman in a very high powered job. As women, we should be celebrating that instead of picking her looks apart.
Totally agree. that we are splitting hairs on her outfit (does anyone question whether a man was dresses appropriately for a press conference) no one is talking about this major legal accomplishment? Give her props for getting an unlawfully imprisoned man out of jail rather than yapping about her nail polish and her ring (which obviously she would be wearing). her suit is fine and very business like and I don’t see what it OTT about ferragamo pumps.
I think expressing this as a gender thing is another form of splitting hairs. I’ve known of a number of men, in politics, law, and other professional fields, as perceived to be presenting as unprofessional and undermining their career by virtue of being too showy and attention-seeking in dress. They generally get called Peacocks and are subject to the same side-eyes for all their ‘stylish’ strutting too.
@Dippit-Really? I find that pretty…surprising.
I agree with Bros that this isn’t a criticism that I have ever seen leveled at a man.
Kitten
I’ve noticed this. A man dare take value in his appearance with a nice suit, clean finger nails and done hair has been looked at as showy before. Even mocked over it.
Oops, double post.
@Kitten, Yes, really. Fairly common-place in a lot of work environs. I tried a more comprehensive reply earlier but, sorry, it appears not to have been posted.
Agree— she has married into the hollywood stage, BUT she is far more than the vapid and superficial, stereotyped limits of hollywood– she has a legit career and her looks canonly complement it, not take away from it. She dresses far better than the average politician and it all looks fully appropriate. There is nothing against adding a little “slay” to your business day — I do it alllll the time 😉
She looks fine to me, nothing inappropriate about curled hair.
She looks beautiful and professional. On a more important note I’m do glad Nasheed is out of jail, he was doing incredible things for Maldives and I hope he can again. Congratulations to the whole team.
Yeah, I would never take off that ring again if it were mine, so I am with her on that one.
Other than that, I think the red is a terrible choice and completely inappropriate for a legal meeting of any kind. But I also think that as a woman, she should be free to wear whatever she wants. It’s a shame that business women (and any other women for that matter), are always being judged on her clothes. If she were a men, there’d be actual content to this post, as in, what was she actually doing, and not just “oh, she looked too vampy”.
She looks fine… I don’t see what the problem is at all… She does seem extremely thin, but that has nothing to do with how professional she is dressed
What exactly is wrong with curled hair and black nail polish?
Maybe she likes gardening. I think I’ll take up with black nail polish this spring for when I get out in the garden, its so hard to keep my nails clean.
I like it! She looks fine. She is never boring.
This reminds me of showing up to grad school classes dressed in a sharp suit and heels, hair done and makeup on. Everyone thought that I was either having an affair with a prof or that I was interviewing for jobs every day. So silly. What in God’s name is wrong? She is wearing a suit, no cleavage showing, black hose (love seeing a woman wearing hose, so tired of nude legs all year round), decent length skirt, that colour is great on her. Her nails are done, oh the attention grabbing minx😱
At this point no matter what she wears she will get flak, if she shows up looking dowdy the press will skewer her for not living up to her position, too dressed and she is attention grabbing…
She can be smart, competent AND stylish and wealthy, is not all mutually exclusive
right on
The huge bolt-ons with the emaciated little body kind of spoils it, though.
The very fact that a lawyer would be mentioned on this or any fashion blog speaks volumes about how bad Clooney’s PR “roll-out” was for his wife. Her work should speak for itself. He didn’t trust that it would so she gets the celeb treatment. I wish she wouldn’t have gone along with it – particularly appearing in Vogue – it just left people with the wrong (or maybe accurate) belief that she is a major attention seeker.
She looks very professional (showing no cleavage, etc) , stylish and pretty. That red looks good on her. Her vampy style looks fine to me.
She looks fine. She’s wearing her ring because she married. She’s wearing a dress suit. As a woman, it’s annoying to think a fellow woman would be thrown under the bus for this very appropriate business look. I’m not a fan of her style but there is nothing wrong with looking like a woman at work. Do we all have to wear our hair back, no makeup, flats, and a shapeless pant suit to be ‘okay’ in a business environment?! She’s a woman, she’s going to look like one. Shesh. Lol!!
she looks great, let her do her job. these critiques of her always-professional wardrobe are getting soooo tiresome.
Dark nail Polish is vampy? Heavens, this is news to me!
She looks fine – polished, poised and confident in that red. Lovely.
Ozzy said once that he paints his pinky nail black because that’s his rear scratching finger and the black hides the… dirt. Now black nails just remind me of that. Gross.
I think this is an old suit. Personally I think her whole look is too much for a professional work day in London in January. She looks out of place and like she’s playing a role the wardrobe dept have dressed her for, but I think that is her main part on cases now anyway. Her choice I suppose.
It’s very poorly fitting for something I assume is meant to be quality wear.
I agree. I don’t know any barristers who dress like that. Suits are black, navy or grey. Colour is added with the tie (men) or a scarf (women). There’s nothing wrong with it exactly, but it’s very glam for the bar.
Her hair overwhelms her face. She is so thin.
Maybe I am in the minority here, but I just do not think she looks very professional here (and I love red suits). The whole look is just OTT and screams, “Look at me!” No, Amal, no. If you wish to be taken seriously as an attorney, people need to see your accomplishments (not hair touching and bling) and hear your thoughtful, wise, witty statements on the legal matters at hand.
This look could have been much more appropriate if she had swapped out nude hose for the black pair and pulled her hair back. Even if she had just gone with a lower or more staid heel and lighter nail polish colour, she still would have looked chic, not vampy.
And she should quit all the posing as she walks. Her eyes are always on the paps, not where she is walking. The thirst is all too evident!
Can’t she be wise and wear black hose and dark nail polish? I must have been doing it wrong for ages at work… This was a press conference so why shouldn’t she look at the photographers – mind you, with the sunglasses on, I can’t tell where she is looking, but maybe I am not looking close enough.
On the other side, how professional is it to obsess and judge how a female colleague is dressed, devoting time to mentally giving her a makeover rather than focusing on one’s job.
My thoughts exactly BearcatLawyer! There is nothing wrong with blow out hair, noticeably big ring, f**k me stilettos, BLACK nail polish red suit – although the velvet trimming is ridiculous imho – but all of them together is tacky as hell.. As a lawyer – and one easy on the eye if I might say so myself – I like to have a nice detail added to my suits ( the big neckclaces of Christine Baranski in The Good Wife are to die for!!! ) to enjoy the fact that I am a woman but I steer away as much as I can from showing off and try not to look vulgar in a place where my brains should come first.
Sorry, but as a longtime female lawyer, women in this profession are *constantly* judged by how they look. We can resent it. We can complain about it. We can argue that men are not subjected to the same ridiculous standards. But it does not change the reality.
I really do not care how Amal dresses. It has no significant impact on me personally. BUT I feel her high profile and her appearance do have a tangential impact on women everywhere and in particular on women lawyers. As a result and for the reasons below, I sincerely wish she would dial it back a little and let her work and accomplishments speak more loudly than her clothes.
Amal and her PR team have long sold us the story that she is a brilliant, talented, worldly human rights barrister involved with critical cases of international importance. The jury is still out on the accuracy of this version of Amal, but in my opinion she does herself NO FAVOURS with expensive “look at me” outfits, poor tailoring, big and/or messy hair, and questionable styling. All she is saying to me – and I daresay many other people – is that she has more money than taste. It also suggests that either she is clueless about how one’s appearance influences other people’s perceptions for better or for worse OR she simply does not think the staid, longstanding dress code rules of the legal world apply to her. For someone as bright as she supposedly is and especially after working at Sullivan & Cromwell (one of the most conservative and most traditional law firms in history), I would expect her to be a bit more aware of how to dress appropriately to fit in with her colleagues while still maintaining some degree of personal style.
Since she is one of the most recognized female lawyers married to one of the most well known actors in the world, she has a platform to genuinely call attention to serious issues and to advocate for change in a variety of contexts. As much as it pains me to admit it (and I truly, madly, deeply wish the world were not like this), her messages about her work and matters that are important to her or her clients are almost totally overshadowed by her outfits, styling, and love of being photographed. Experience has taught me – and most every other female attorney since the dawn of time – that in order to be taken seriously as a lawyer you just CANNOT dress in whatever you like, play with your hair, or wear unusual makeup. Clients, fellow lawyers, judges, and government officials generally expect you to dress conservatively, behave judiciously, and act like a man by avoiding overt displays of femininity (exception: many federal courts practically require women to wear skirt suits since pantsuits are allegedly too casual for us ladies – I kid you not). You may be the greatest attorney that ever lived and you may have all the laws and facts on your side, but how your present yourself and your clients frequently trumps *everything else.* If you come across as quirky or flashy or blatantly fame seeking or unduly swayed by the latest fashion trends, more often than not you will be quickly dismissed as frivolous no matter how well-reasoned your arguments or how meritorious your cases. Yet the worst part, I believe, is that when women lawyers like Amal garner a lot of attention *principally for how they look* as opposed to what they say or do in representing their clients, unfortunately it perpetuates the silly yet-still-alive-and-kicking myth that female attorneys are less competent, more lightweight, and more likely to rely on their appearance to get ahead instead of their brains, skills, ingenuity, and talents. It is not fair. It is not right. I wish the system did not operate in this way. But it is what it is, and it is utterly foolish to assume that these longstanding biases in the legal profession do not affect Amal in much the same way as they do other women.
Alternatively, it would be very refreshing if instead of playing coy about her obvious love of fashionable clothes and the paps, she said things like, “My suit is Chanel, but I hardly think what I choose to wear is important. In fact, the really critical issue we ought to discuss is…” or “If smiling and posing for photographers helps bring more attention to the wrongs my clients A, B, or C have suffered or the injustices perpetuated by X, Y, or Z, then I will grin at them all day long! Sunshine is the best disinfectant!” If she did so, I can almost guarantee that Amal would be perceived as an exceptionally wise, strategic thinker for using ALL of the advantages she enjoys as Mrs. Clooney, Esq. to highlight her work, clients, causes, and achievements. But apparently she does not say things like this, and thus I fear she might not be as clever as advertised.
In response to the comment about how professional it is to judge a colleague rather than focusing on one’s job, I posted my original comment after reading and responding to all of my overnight e-mails and while eating my breakfast. I am writing this comment after a long day at work before I go to sleep. So no, I am not neglecting my day job. I do not quite understand why one might consider it unprofessional for a fellow female attorney to comment on this story. Frankly, I enjoy commenting on Celebitchy because people here seem to care about more than just the fashion or the celebs and I often learn lots of neat things from our international and extremely witty commenters here. In this case, I have some insight based on over two decades of life in the law that may explain why Amal’s recent outfit choices have garnered unusual and occasionally unwelcome attention from lawyers and nonlawyers alike. Some of this is factual, some is anecdotal, and some statements are clearly my opinions. Yes, I certainly agree that I sound judgey herein, but this is CeleBITCHY, not Celebnice.
But since I am being perfectly honest already, I also wish to point out that the main reason why I even bothered to comment on this story in the first place is that it PAINS ME HORRIBLY as a female litigator to see an ostensibly powerful, accomplished, famous woman like Amal (seemingly) unwittingly diminish the gravity of President Nasheed’s politically motivated terrorism conviction in the Maldives. Women have it hard enough already, and while the legal field is slowly evolving to become more inclusive and less hidebound by tradition, women lawyers are still grossly underrepresented in positions of authority, subjected to ludicrous double standards (e.g., skirt suits and pantyhose in federal court no matter what), and discriminated against for ridiculous reasons. Like it or not, women like Amal arguably should do whatever they can to make the path forward a little less arduous for all of us. That she does not seem hugely concerned that her actions do affect how people perceive women lawyers is a tad disappointing to me, I suppose.
Good night, all.
She’s a business woman with a high power job – this isn’t the same calibre as even the best lawyer in a Podunk little town.
Would she look overdressed in my small town? Sure. But she’s not working in rural Nova Scotia.
I see nothing wrong with her having her hair and nails done (I love the nail color) and she should be able to wear whatever the hell jewelry she wants. I really don’t understand the criticism she’s getting. I don’t love all of her style choices – but she must like them. It’s not like she’s showing up to appointments with her hair slapped back into a messy bun and sweatpants on. She’s showing up well groomed and in business type attire for the most part.
Well if we compare her to Marie Heinen, (Jian Ghomeshi’s lawyer) who also dresses stylishly now (although not always), you will note that her hair is cut shorter and she doesn’t play with it in public. And when Marie Heinen is on camera, there is a client nearby at all times. She doesn’t do pap walks in Toronto. Marie Heinen has also conducted hundreds of trials and appeared in appellate court and she is known first and foremost for being an excellent lawyer and great during cross examination. Her background is similar to Amal’s but in any articles about her, what you read is about how much work it takes to be a good lawyer. She has a certain style as well, but it is more refined.
If any female barristers / litigators want a real example of a highly skilled lawyer who has a great sense of fashion, then they should be reading about Marie Heinen.
I love the suit – could have done without the black stockings. BTW, she has the most gorgeous hair ever. I would kill for hair like that.
LMAO at people policing her sartorial choices. Like they know better than she does how one should be styled at a legal press conference.
Seriously? She’s wearing a red suit that is clearly specifically made for a business environment (do you see anyone buying that as weekend wear) and she has her hair done. Oh and she’s wearing nail polish. Jeez, yeah, so unprofessional, so over the top.
imo her outfit is more suited for a photo shoot than in a law office. I bet you a thousand dollars 😄, No other lawyer in her office is dressing like AC, #1 they can’t afford to and #2 she is just showing her coworkers how much richer she is than they are. I’m sure they are talking about her behind her back, and you know I’m right.
As a professional woman (albeit no where near the level of a public figure she is) it gets tiresome trying to anticipate the drama for your clothing and style choices. No matter how professional your appearance there’s always something to latch onto: maybe she wants to stand out, she’s trying to “hook” a man, must be trouble at home to cause her to change her look, she’s given up, I wish she would wear makeup, etc. It’s an ongoing distraction from our work product as women. I don’t read into my (male or female) counterparts changing (or not) appearance.
Agreed! As women, none of us do not want to be judged for how we look, particularly in a work setting . God knows there are all kinds of ridiculous expectations regarding beauty ideals as it is.
When I am at work, my concern is not what my female colleagues are wearing, but the execution of my actual job. I can focus on that task regardless of the colour of the jacket and tights my colleague may be wearing. If this is your main distraction in a work place, then how much work are you getting done? And guess what? You are part of the problem of creating a sexist work environment.
I used to have a colleague who would openly criticize my clothing choices , and no I did not violate any dress codes. I was also a high performer in my workplace, but this is what she chose to focus on. This colleague’s criticisms were so unprofessional, a waste of time, distracted from the task at hand and made me uncomfortable. I finally had to say to her, why are you so preoccupied with how I dress? Why does it matter so much to you?
@sanders, you have said “when I’m at work my concern is not what my female colleagues are wearing but the execution of my actual job.” Then you went on to say “I used to have a colleague who would openly critize my clothing choices…”. This just shows that people in offices are always sizing up their female colleague and what they wear. I’m thinking AC colleagues are like other professionals and giving her the side eye of how she is flaunting her wealth and wearing designers coats and suits that her colleagues, maybe, cannot afford on their salary. I’m thinking most of her colleagues are not married to a multi millionaire so it’s definitely a look at me.
What makes you think it’s about her wanting attention or ‘look at me ?’ as you phrased it. Maybe she loves clothes and dressing up. I know I do.
Why should she be held responsible for other women’s insecurities?
Of course, people will react and form opinions based on many things. When someone gets hung up on the superficial aspects of a person’s appearance, it is usually due to the judging person’s own issues. Unless they are a stylist, they are not paid to assess and monitor their colleagues clothing. Rather than getting hung up on what is appropriate professional attire, why not focus on behaving respectfully and professionally with your colleagues?
And I would agree that the dynamics you described exist in the work place. I am saying that we don’t have to join in for the race to the bottom.
She looks great. Times have chànged, women can express their femininity now. She’s covered up, I like the red color.
She’s eye candy, and her actual job is the bring attention to cases that might otherwise not receive much ink. I bet a dollar that the plain girl on the end with the briefcase (last article) did more grunt work and got paid less than the celebrity wife with the expensive clothes. I don’t think Amal is cut out to be a team player. She won’t play with the Hollywood crowd, or George’s crowd, OR her colleagues. She likes the attention too much – maybe because she used to be an unmarried ugly duckling with buck teeth and toddler clothes, and now she’s the next Jackie Onassis. Before she got married we saw very few pictures of her hanging out with girlfriends or having fun with college buddies. Why is that?
As smart and competent as she is this is true.
She’s added to teams for the benefit of press exposure.
Because she’s a PR creation. Regardless of who actually exists under the hair and makeup and outfits and plastique, what we talk about when we talk about Amal is a very controlled presentation. We’re not meant to know who she actually is — hence all the internet scrubbing and planned photo ops/pap walks. All we are really doing here is assessing the success of a media strategy in persuading us that this woman is who we want/need her to be as the wife of George Clooney. There was no interest in her or touting of her accomplishments until she appeared on his arm. Then it all got crazy and the truth of the matter was pretty much made to go away.
Nimbolicious, you are completly true in every word.
The “plain girl” at then end is actually Nasheed’s wife but why let that get in the way of good ole girl on girl hate.
It’s funny how you had to point out that the one “doing all the work” was plain because of course a woman cannot be beautiful, wear expensive clothes AND be smart! God forbid
that such a creature could exist and give others an inferiority complex clearly evidenced by your need to ridicule her for having been an unmarried, buck toothed ugly duckling. It isn’t men who are holding women back but petty women who feel entitled to bring down other women so they can feel better about themselves.
Whenever I scroll fast down a blog site with her photo, I always think it’s a photo of Michael Jackson.
I’ve noticed her shoes (for work) are more of a classic styling lately which is an improvement. Keep the wedges and others for after work.
Did she get a breast augmentation? For someone so slim, that is a pretty big rack. It’s disproportionate to her frame.
My guess is yes. We already know she got a nose job.
I second that guess. It does seem disproportionate.
agreed. She has no fat on her frame, she is downright gaunt. You dont typically see a female that skinny with naturally large breasts
Instagram has a page called amal__alamuddin with lots of photos–including some way before her marriage. It is quite a pictorial history of Amal. Anyway, per the pix, I doubt she’s had breast implants (nose job and dental work yes). I think she wears a push up bra either with inserts (or with the inflatable cups) occasionally.
I live in the south and we like color and heels. She looks fine to me although the velvet is too Christmassy.
I know. The black fingernails are repulsive. They look necrotic no matter how educated, how big banks accounts etc…..
I actually think she looks quite nice, which is rare! The length of the skirt, her neckline and the height of her heels are all business appropriate.
Her clothes and accessories and styling walk ahead of her, the working woman, by too many paces to balance her out as a professional happening to wear couture. In much the same way as it’s apparent she chose, upon marriage, to let “Clooney” march ahead of the “Alamuddin” she had some early career establishment as. In much the same way as “celeb” has, it appears by her choosing (certainly the Clooney PR driven direction – which, if she’s the determined woman we are to believe must’ve included her in decision-making) very much overtaken “barrister”.
Now, it’s all good and well, her choice, but that doesn’t mean people aren’t going to look askance at her due to her seemingly own priorities appearing to having undermined, or relegated, her credibility as a working woman, actively putting in the hard graft at the job she trained for, to second place.
In the legal scene she’s gone from very little mention, and only then muted as “promising new at DSC (along with many others)”, to being referred to as “Mrs Clooney” spoken of in a generally derisory tone which speaks volumes.
Now, this isn’t an argument for a working woman having to sacrifice one aspect, or another, or another, (eccentricity, personality, character, style, whatever), in order to conform to a herd. However, it is about how certain choices need to be made wisely and within context for anyone, woman or man, to retain respect and rating by colleagues.
Amal Clooney began her marriage and publicity arrangement well behind the starting line because the image (myths) they created for public consumption about the ‘status’ of her career to that point were provably over exaggerated. She had yet to reach the career stage claimed for her by PR; such embellishments don’t actually get you steps ahead, but take you several steps back in peoples’ perceptions in reality. Now, after two years of steadily reducing herself to a walking promotional role, she may appear to be at the forefront but it’s only appearance. Every walk like this puts her further on the back-foot as a ‘respected’ lawyer.
Her choice, and perhaps she’s decided to say “f**k it, I have monster media ‘power’ and that’s my ‘success’ story”, fine, but let’s not pretend she’s out there striking blows for career womens’ right to individuality of style. She chose to conform to a created image two years ago and, in doing so, chose to compromise much along the way.
Look at Amal’s irriation at Genser as he’s interrupting her moment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJGn-2vjHJk
I agree. I’m no expert on the legal profession, but from what I’ve read here, she’s no more than a junior barrister whose never led a case. Certainly not the type of person you’d expect to have personal audiences with the PM, or whose photograph would appear in the newspaper on a regular basis.
There seems to have been a bit of a revamp of her press tactics (and please, let’s not pretend these tactics don’t exist). We had a year or so of constant pap-walks, where the photographers just happened to know every time she’d stick her head out the door, and also just happened to have full designer IDs on the ridiculously expensive outfits she was wearing. Now that seems to have stopped, and were back to the ‘serious career woman’ line that we got at the start of her ‘relationship’ with Clooney. My guess is that Clooney’s PR team monitored sites like this (again, let’s not pretend that they don’t) and saw that the constant over-exposure was backfiring. So she laid low for a few months, but now she’s back – though not drinking tequila with Rande and Cyndy, but doing the ‘serious lawyer’ stuff – provided a camera just happens to be there.
Ethelreda, couldnt of said it better, glad I am not the only one who see’s through this complete fake set up.
Hey guys, just want to get some opinions. A lot of women who work in the service department and receptionists at the car dealership i work at have been wearing leggings tucked into boots with a shirt that doesn’t cover their butts. I feel like it is a little too revealing for work. What do you guys think? Or am I being a prude?
Inappropriate for work , for sure. At a car dealing though I don’t know if that would be intentional..but still not appropriate,
You are not being a prude if that’s the office dress code, lol.
Hah! Too true. Dress for respect unless you have a uniform.
@Snowflake, it is funny you mention that particular look, of the biscuit grazing skirt over leggings. I wouldn’t be seen dead in such an outfit, and I am told I have good legs, so that is not the reason. Along with bell bottoms, skinny jeans, maxi skirts, and mini skirts, and too many other fashion disasters to mention, it is just not a good look. It certainly doesn’t say “I am a working woman who is here to get a job done, and put food on the table for my nearest and dearest”. Sorry about that, but it just doesn’t. It’s more a matter of being appropriate to the work place, and not looking like I am going down the pub with my mates.
That’s how I feel. Like cute outfit for barhopping or a date, but not appropriate for work.
Jackie Kennedy called — she wants her suit back.
the velvet trim is a definite NO for this situation.
Yes, that’s the most off-putting bit for me as work-wear. In my teens I wore a very similar jacket, slightly deeper burgundy red, with velvet trim, except I was wearing it with velvet dance shorts and fishnets whilst on stage dancing in panto.
It’s just off styling in context.
+1 The styling is more ladies-who-lunch-Barbie-doll or “That Girl” than serious barrister. Add a poodle and she’d be a walking/breathing career Barbie doll.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/cb/aa/fc/cbaafc8cebfb45849065f5d20075f4b7.jpg
http://www.barbievalues.com/barbieimages/2012421_33909113.jpg
MINNFINN that is hilarious! Don’t forget the red dancer emoji.
I think she looks fine. With her dark hair and eyes red looks great on her. It doesn’t matter what she wears she has the credentials to back her. If you have long hair there are times when you do touch it to remove it from your shoulder. It’s not like she’s twirling it around looking up at the ceiling. She’s a very thin woman and like myself she might find that she has to spend time in the gym to maintain her weight. I don’t find her beautiful but she’s very striking.
Red is a power color, whether it is used to stand apart from others or to give the presence of power. In a mostly male-dominated world of meetings (or otherwise), red can convey that message of power and “take me seriously.”
Although the suit is fine (well, except for the velvet trim), were I her, I would’ve also pulled my hair back into a chignon and not worn black hose. (I work in a law office.)
I think this red suit is toned down a notch or two for her. She always has her hair blown out like she’s going to a club, but whatever.
I find it comical that Clooney hooked up with Amal in an attempt for HIM to be taken seriously, like he’s an intellectual and not just some sex-crazed woman hopping frat boy. Her position and professional success have not changed the public’s opinion of Clooney at all. What has changed is Amal – she’s become a pap strolling joke – dressing for potential photogs, posing for the photogs, etc. It’s ironic that he wanted her status and respect to rub off on him, but his fame and attention rubbed off on her instead. So goes Hollywood. I suspect she will retire early in order to “decorate” whatever new mansion they have.
Wow, what a way to try to demean a woman, will retire to “decorate” a mansion. She was 36 when she married him and has gone to school and worked her entire life and still is. I highly doubt Amal will retire at her age. She might segue eventually into being a commentator on foreign politics, human rights issues, etc.
She is very smart and still works. I’m not saying she’s not immune to criticism. There’s things to criticize her about for sure, but the insults hurled below the belt going too far I shake my head at.
I hate to see women trying to reduce other women into “golddigger” status, laying around at home spending hubby’s money, just because they don’t like them, when it’s clear she is not that type at all as far as a woman with a brain who is interested in far more than decorating. I think women are harder and more judgemental on other women than men are, frankly.
Amal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6UijBvFW0c
“she is not that type at all as far as a woman with a brain who is interested in far more than decorating.”
Per the Daily Mail, Amal has spent 25,000 pounds in the last two years on coats alone. I don’t know about decorating (a house) as a priority, but 25,000 on coats makes a strong statement that coats are a priority in her life…George said something in an interview that Amal has an entire room for her clothes…I wonder how many dresses, suits etc that she has?
Her whole life … she was praised and loved up by her family. Even though her parents separated, she was dotted upon by them and thereby grew up with healthy self-esteem. Her brothers adored her as well. When she went to Oxford, she never had a shortage of men who were interested in her and found her very attractive. Her immensely positive self-image, strong work ethic, coupled with family connections helped her up the ranks.
By the time she met Clooney she “knew the game” cold: She ran with big hitters and could easily work the rooms. Most importantly, she was NOT easily intimidated. Let’s not forget, she met 50+ year-old Clooney, not George “in his ER days prime” Clooney – that makes a H.U.G.E. difference.
In those days, I thought: nice sweet girl, quirky sense of style and immensely driven. Attractive, er, striking I guess? But, who am I to define beauty for other people.
So, you were up with Amal?
Ha, only a bit. Odd as it is to say this, I feel a bit of a sleeze to say anything more.
I rather think “sleaze” would depend how you related the information, although I do appreciate such discretion; my ‘rumour/gossip’ contacts in that regard were not contemporaneous with Amal in college, and I’m ahead too. Therefore, I’ve tried to absent myself from anything from that far back I’ve gleaned/heard.
Any opinion I’ve formed is based on far more recent observations.
Anyhow, shame on you coming to a gossip site to tease and then retreat to gent(?) 😀
How was she able to meet Clooney during his ER period? He was on that show from 1994-1999 when she was ages 17-22.
@MinnFinn I don’t believe OP wanted us to take his literal age into account. That comment read as being merely illustrative.
Eccentric or quirky can also be used to describe her choice of career. Who really practices human rights law? It’s basically PR these days.
Are you kidding me? It’s a growth field, thanks to (among others) her client Julian Assange.
@raincoaster
I think it’s a peripheral field. Very, very few lawyers can make it a full-time thing and actually get a steady stream of cases. So kudos to Amal and on her marriage for getting her that extra coverage. And I don’t think Julian Assange’s case suddenly brought out an ever-lasting demand for human rights lawyers.
She always looks to gangly to me – all her limbs never seem to be in sync with one another – it drives me nuts for some reason!!!
I think she looks fine. She’s lost so much weight but her boobs haven’t deflated. Implants!
I think she looks great. This is vampy? It’s a bold colour sure but why not? I also don’t get the criticism of her wearing her ring.
LOL @ policing a woman of dressing both as an international lawyer AND a public figure. That last part is extra impotant because of the sexist reporting about her as the wife of George Clooney. Frankly if she can get press to make her line of work and causes moving foward then kudo to her. Heck Marrisa Mayer knows she cannot change the situation at Yahoo so she goes for heavy media coverage on her as the company public figure to hustle any temporary interest and stock raise on that company. And I don’t see anyone tell her to no be too glamorous either. Point is you leverage what work at the time even if too tactical. Work it mama!
This is such an absurd and stupid conversation. Can’t a working woman show some personal style & flare without being labeled a vamp? Maybe it’s not for attention. Maybe it really is her style. We wouldn’t even be having this conversation if this was a man.
I like Amal’s look have to say the only thing that doesn’t work for me are the super high heels but that’s probably just me as I couldn’t walk in them 😉 I tend to view really high heels/ stilettos as more of a night time look.
I have not heard of anybody turning their ring around in meetings do as not to draw attention to it. I don’t see the point of having it if you need to do that! I love my engagement ring it’s not huge but it’s beautiful and I wear it proudly every day.
She is striking! Wow! Those shoes..I would seriously maim a nun for them. And as for her ring..if I had that, you bet I would rock it. It was a gift of love and deserves some sunshine and admiration.
Apart from Amal being painfully thin I love the way she looks. If I was a successful professional like her I’d walk around looking just like her, flipping my hair and generally being as “feminine” as I please because it irks me how little femininity is valued in the business world. I don’t understand why women have to try so hard to be men to be accepted as professionals in many occupations. If people around me were distracted by the way I looked or my jewelry that would be their problem. I admire Amal and think she seems like a very strong woman who is enviably good at what she does. She’s a great role model compared to so many other famous women nowadays.
Also don’t think her outfit is “vampy” here. I think it looks beautiful and a good strong choice for a press conference. And engagement rings and wedding bands should definitely be worn every day. Locking it away and wearing a replica is just silly IMO.
A woman flipping her hair is feminine?
She looks fine, but all the makeup has clearly done a number on her skin. Maybe the hair could be a little more disciplined and less nightclub. But that suit is a keeper, and I’d kill for the pattern.
To me her mannerisms seem forced and exaggerated. The excessive head turns with the hair flips, the constant touching of the hair speaks of someone uncomfortable in their skin. When someone is comfortable in their skin it shows in their mannerisms and body movement. As accomplished as Amal is in her position she is for all intents and purposes–the honey pot of the law firm. She is brought out for high profile cases to demonstrate the success of the firm. She is not the lead barrister, she is the celebrity barrister and I think she know it.
Her thirst tires me. I like the suit save the velvet I don’t like the black stocking for day unless they are opaque
She looks totally professional and wearing red is a smart move. If I had hair like hers I would whip it daily, nay hourly, if not more.
What is it about this woman that is so polarizing for some people? I hope she and George are happy.
Enjoy. http://gph.is/1ZTJfCP. You’re welcome!
Oh boy she doesnt half love herself.