The Only Thing Silda Spitzer Should Be Wearing is Pajamas (Mirror Image)

The Only Thing Silda Spitzer Should Be Wearing is Pajamas

Eliot Spitzer resigned from his post as Governor of New York State a few minutes ago.

And Silda Spitzer was by his side wearing a simple black pantsuit that she accessorized with a silk scarf that popped with red, white and blue blocks. (It was probably Hermes, but that's irrelevant.) The suit was black, funeral black, and that was appropriate given the demise of Ms. Spitzer's husband's polticial future, the death of her position as First Lady of New York City and quite possibly the end of her marriage.

But I want to know why she was there in the first place?

I totally agree with Karen Heller, who wrote this morning, that her attorney should be there instead. You, Silda Spitzer, have the right to stay at home and watch the press conference in your fuzzy pajamas. Your only accessory: a box of Kleenex.

You do not have to be strong. You do not need to be crisp in a black suit and perfect pumps. You do not need to wear barely there makeup. You do not have to be perfectly accessorized.

Every time a woman supports her powerful husband depsite his infidelities to her, she is doing a disservice to married women everywhere. Eliot Spitzer chose to break his vows with the ultimate betrayal. She can chose not to stand by him. I'm sorry I don't believe she was there because she wanted to be. Why should she be humiliated? Dressing like a man in boxy non-gender suits doesn't say squat for true women's liberation. Wearing what you want - whether it's flouncy florals or a Juicy Couture sweat suit- and being respected, is the point. She wasn't respected. Dina Matos McGreevy wasn't respected nor was presidential hopeful Hilary Clinton respected.

I'm not advocating that Ms. Spitzer should leave her husband. I'm not even saying she shouldn't forgive him. But a woman should be able to react based on her heart of hearts. And if she's been disrespected no plain black suit is going to make her feel better about herself and her marriage vows. She does not have to mourn in public. There is no need for a united front. There is no need for fashion. All Silda Spitzer needs is fuzzy pajamas.

What do you think?

Posted by Elizabeth Wellington on March 12, 2008 12:20 PM | Permalink

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Comments (1)

L. M.:

You are absolutely correct. Why should she compose herself for his sake? When he committed those acts, he told her and everyone else in the country what he thought of her. She should be able to tell him what she thinks of him in return!

Posted by L. M. | March 12, 2008 4:54 PM

Posted on March 12, 2008 16:54

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Author

The Mirror Image team consists of Inquirer and philly.com writers with a passion for fashion and an eye for the trends. We live to shop and shop to live, but always appreciate a good sale. We know that “What I am going to wear?” is a serious question, possibly requiring consultation and multiple outfit changes. We believe beauty treatments can be a necessity instead of a luxury, and consider awards shows required viewing. Above all, we strive to bring style into our daily lives – and have fun telling others about it.

Contributor Elizabeth Wellington has been the Inquirer's Fashion Reporter since 2003 and writes the Mirror, Mirror column for the Sunday Image section. She is a bargain shopper who hates buying pants and rarely meets a dress she doesn’t like.

Contributor Chris Gray is the editor of the Image section, and has been a reporter and editor at the Inquirer since 2001. She believes you are never too tall for heels and considers text messaging a vital form of communication.

Contributor Karen Heller covered fashion for several years, nationally and regionally, and has an enduring interest in style and fashion. A finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in commentary, she reports on popular culture. Her column appears in the Wednesday Daily Magazine.

Contributor Kristen Graham is a Philly.com producer and columnist. She is still recovering from her mother dressing her in homemade cotton plaid bell-bottoms as a toddler, and regards religious Project Runway and What Not To Wear watching as the only way to make amends.

Contributor Jodie Chester Lowe is a Philly.com Entertainment producer and a member of the Great Expectations project team. By college, she knew she needed to expand her wardrobe beyond casual shirts and jeans. She’s branched out with the tops, but denim still gets its own drawer (or two) in her dresser.

Contributor Ellen Dunkel is the Philly.com Entertainment channel manager. She was almost literally born to shop, having grown up in Paramus, N.J., the No. 2 ZIP code in the United States for retail sales. She often serves as a personal shopper for family members who are missing the fashion gene.

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This page contains a single entry from the blog posted on March 12, 2008 12:20 PM.

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