Why They Wore It: The Politics and Pop Culture of First Ladies' Fashion

The fashion favorites and sartorial specialties of our First Ladies have regularly been examined for their dazzling looks and designer couture. But rarely have First Ladies' tastes and styles been examined within their deeper political and popular culture context. Why They Wore It: The Politics & Pop Culture of First Ladies' Fashion thoroughly examines how each First Lady used her personal style to advance her own - and her husband's - agenda, by embracing special causes and promoting political positions. This book gives particular focus to First Lady Pat Nixon - who history has revealed to have had the most overt impact of any First Lady on the nexus of politics and popular culture for more than 30 years. Her largely unintentional yet significant fashion choices served as the first bellwether to the changing role of First Ladies, and women across the nation.