Fashion Lab: Sarah Palin’s Skirt Lengths
Mom wondered what we’d tell Sarah Palin about the length of her skirts. 
Did anyone watch the resignation speech? We couldn’t find a good picture; Mom, I think, thinks her skirt was much too short; I think, at minimum, her ensemble offended the golden mean proportion, looking boxy (as explained by Imogen at this link).
What would you like to tell Palin about the length of her skirts? Which of the four shown here do you like best?
I’ll leave my answer in the comment section.
I like the all black best - the grey is too long, altho they are close. I don’t prefer either look with the boots. Neither is as flattering, IMO.
I think the resignation skirt looks riskily short - but without an upright view, it’s tough to call.
Say what you will, Sarah Palin has showgirl legs. I think her shorter length when announcing her resignation makes the statement that she is entering private life where she can do what pleases her. I personally prefer knee-grazing length on a grown woman in public office.
There are few outfits on public figures I have seen that I wanted as badly as the debate night suit, which I think is the black outfit you’re showing. That fit Gov. Palin perfectly, from the shoulder line to the hem. In general, I think she can wear the just-above-the-knee skirts well, too, because as Duchesse said, she has very, very shapely legs, but the skirts need to be styled a little differently than they are in these photos. Most importantly, I’ve found that dark skirt, white knees, dark boots draws the eye to the knees–never anyone’s best feature!–but dark skirt, knees in dark tights, and dark boots creates a nice long line. It’s not just a matter of bare legs or tights, though: dark skirt, bare knees, dark boots is fine too if you have dark skin, based on what I’ve seen, because the contrast is lower.
Regardless of how I feel about her politically, she can absolutely dress herself. I think she nailed it in the black and red suit outfits. The first picture on the left with the boots seems like it *might* be a bit too short for a professional dress for her. The red one, just barely above the knee, looks like an okay length to me too, but I know some people are bothered about knee exposure.
She looks best to me when her skirts are above the knee. I don’t love the bare-knee-between-boot-and-hem look, though.
The longer lengths are closer to what I wear, and those tend to look dumpy on a shorter woman.
I have no problem with a woman politico wearing short skirts and spike heels, just so long as her skirts keep the lady parts covered when she sits or bends.
My opinion: I like the red suit look and the black suit look the best. I think she looks pretty good in all of them, but the skirts that are above the knee are not only a bit less flattering, they are also a bit less elegant.
I would tell anyone over 40 to forget what you heard about 4 inches above the knee being a classic length (or whatever that advice was back then). If you aren’t worried about being modest and want to show your legs in a fun or sporty look, go mid-thigh. Otherwise, to be professional, the length of the red suit - just to the knee - is minimum.
I was disappointed that the longer skirt looked frumpy, but I think there are other problems with that outfit.
I actually really like the grey skirt. It still follows her figure, but it seems to be a bit looser (or possibly heavier weight fabric).
Thanks for the post, Rebecca; and to all your readers who have given their opinions.
I think she looks so elegant, sophisticated and, yes, professional in the black ensemble; tho she might (?) have been able to get-away with an inch off the hem.
Not having seen the resignation - but a denim skirt and patent cork wedges? She looks like she’s about to run her kids to school in that - not resign from her position as Governor.
Sure she’s got great legs, but when you’re running for VP - I’d think keeping it modest would be very important.
I think the problem with the grey/pink outfit is that the jacket is too long and not fitted enough for her, which makes the skirt look too long and the outfit look more boxy.
Thanks for explaining about the pink/gray outfit. I like the other colors so much better on her that I wasn’t sure if that was the main reason I didn’t like the other one, but what you say makes so much sense.
Personally, for her height and build, I like the all black. It’s PERFECT. I think it is such a flattering length for any lady 5′5″ or taller. It flatters the slender and the heavier.