A report that Donald Trump wants his female staff “to dress like women” has brought the president widespread derision online.
A source told the news website Axios that women working for the Trump campaign felt pressured to wear dresses. The claim is one of several about how the reality-star-turned-president expects his staff to present themselves. Male employees “need to have a certain look”, while, according to the report, Trump was not impressed with the suit his press secretary, Sean Spicer, wore for his first briefing. Trump is also very particular about his tie preferences. The source claimed: “You’re always supposed to wear a tie. If it’s not a Trump tie, you can get away with Brooks Brothers. But I’d suggest Armani.”
The only person who can get away without adhering to the dress code is said to be Trump’s dishevelled chief strategist, Steve Bannon.
The claims that Trump expected his female staff members to wear stereotypically feminine attire drew ire on Twitter. Users responded with the hashtag #DressLikeAWoman.
A handy guide on how to #dresslikeawoman:
— Maddie Soper (@misformaddie) February 3, 2017
1. Identify as a woman.
2 Get dressed.
Others responded with pictures of women at work, including politicians:
Bring your baby. Teach her to vote. Teach her to govern. Dress like Licia Ronzulli in European Parliment. #DressLikeAWoman pic.twitter.com/t3jNEPVaC2
— smoze (@sarahmozal) February 3, 2017
There were contributions from women who had served in the army:
@realDonaldTrump Here I am, dressed like a woman, because I'm a woman wearing clothes. #dresslikeawoman pic.twitter.com/iRO8VPjgeH
— Victoria (@VOBOE) February 3, 2017
I #DressLikeAWoman. Do you think Trump would approve? I'm thinking not. pic.twitter.com/l0yO78xdps
— KateP (@doctorwibble) February 3, 2017
Senator Tammy Duckworth knows how to #DRESSLIKEAWOMAN pic.twitter.com/dbRH42If4T
— Charie D. La Marr (@PersiHellecat) February 3, 2017
And the navy:
#DressLikeAWoman Michelle J. Howard. First African-American woman to command a US Navy ship. pic.twitter.com/fxNaVlywns
— 3ChicsPolitico (@3ChicsPolitico) February 3, 2017
Healthcare professionals also weighed in:
That's me on the left wearing my favorite outfit #DressLikeAWoman pic.twitter.com/M8UnQ2pBwE
— Rebecca Alleyne, MD (@BeckyAlleyneMD) February 3, 2017
Yes, I'm doing an autopsy wearing pearls. #DressLikeAWoman pic.twitter.com/l3QBlCeJ2m
— Judy Melinek M.D. (@drjudymelinek) February 3, 2017
Pastors:
Got the memo @realDonaldTrump
— Linda Springer (@springer1linda) February 3, 2017
This is how to #DressLikeAWoman pic.twitter.com/828oNwuK4k
And racing drivers:
POTUS: This is how I #DressLikeAWoman pic.twitter.com/FFcHILp54G
— Leilani Münter (@LeilaniMunter) February 3, 2017
This is just the latest chapter in the tale of Trump’s fraught relationship with women. During his campaign, many came forward to allege he had sexually assaulted them. Millions took to the streets in protest the day after his inauguration.
