While the U.S. Senate has gone back and forth on whether or not to enforce a formal dress code, Georgia’s policy has helped state legislators stand out enough to become one of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s best-dressed* lawmakers.
In Washington, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer last week changed the dress code so that male colleagues were no longer required to wear a coat and tie on the chamber floor. After a backlash from conservatives, senators passed a formal dress code calling for “business attire” and requiring male senators to wear a coat, tie and slacks or other long pants.
Georgia’s legislative chambers have similar dress codes, requiring attire that is “appropriate” to the General Assembly. The House describes that as “coat and tie for male members and dignified dress for female members.”
The dress codes still give lawmakers an opportunity to stand out, causing the AJC in 2019 to launch the (nearly) annual best-dressed list. The list is completely subjective and essentially falls to what one reporter thinks is fashionable.
Here’s who made the AJC’s 2023 best-dressed* Georgia lawmakers list:
Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com
Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com
State Sen. Tonya Anderson, D-Lithonia
Occupation: Minister and nonprofit professional
Fashion inspiration: “Usually I’m thinking about what type of day I would like to have. If it’s rainy, I usually wear bright colors to do the opposite of the mood. So it just depends on how I’m feeling or how I prefer to feel.”
Favorite fashion tip: “Be creative. And color is magic.”
Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com
Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com
State Rep. Teri Anulewicz, D-Smyrna
Occupation: Former government affairs consultant
Fashion inspiration: “Something I think about a lot is that when Diane Keaton played the mom in (the 1991 film) ‘Father of the Bride.’ So I feel like I just want to dress in a way that I feel good and I try to dress very intentionally. And I view picking out my clothes as self-care. ... As a middle-age lady, sometimes you can be a little bit invisible. So I like to dress intentionally so that I have a presence beyond just what I bring with my mind.”
Favorite fashion tip: “I love Rent the Runway. ... I follow a couple of people on Instagram, but only one or two and only women who have the same body type that I do, and it’s pushed me a little bit outside of my comfort zone by trying different things (and) trying different combinations. And I believe that in this building, you cannot compromise on shoes.”
Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com
Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com
House Minority Leader James Beverly, D-Macon
Occupation: Eye doctor
Fashion inspiration: “Happiness. Like, ‘These socks, I feel good about those.’ I like colors, I like patterns and I like brightness. And I love bowties because they represent freedom.”
Favorite fashion tip: “Have confidence in whatever you’re going to wear. Comfortable confidence. Be comfortable with it and be confident that you made the right selection for yourself.”
Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com
Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com
State Sen. Shelly Echols, R-Alto
Senate Reapportionment and Redistricting chairwoman
Occupation: Business owner
Fashion inspiration: “I always just try to make sure I’m dressed professionally and conservatively, especially down here. ... My husband and my college (age) daughter, they help make sure that everything is appropriate. My husband is definitely the best dressed of the two of us.”
Favorite fashion tip: “Get it approved by your 19-year-old daughter. I just don’t want to embarrass her, so I’ve sent her selfies many days and said, ‘Is this OK?’ And she’ll tell me what to change.”
Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com
Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com
State Rep. Scott Hilton, R-Peachtree Corners
Occupation: Banker
Fashion inspiration: “I think about looking the part. Politicians and public servants have a certain look to them. But most importantly, I take great pride in representing my district and having that reflected in what I wear. I think is important.”
Favorite fashion tip: “I keep it simple. I like just whites and blues and then a sharp tie. Pay attention to detail. And have everything pressed and cleaned and ironed and and ready to go.”
Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com
Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com
State Rep. Soo Hong, R-Lawrenceville
Occupation: Attorney
Fashion inspiration: “Classy, professional but with the feminine flair. I try to not just wear suits that are just black and blue. I think it’s important to look and feel comfortable in what you’re wearing. The type of clothes that I wear make me feel not only professional, but also like a strong woman.”
Favorite fashion tip: “I like having pieces that are always going to be in fashion. My closet’s full of classy pieces that 10 years from now you know are still going to be in fashion.”
Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com
Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com
State Sen. Nabilah Islam, D-Lawrenceville
Occupation: Consultant
Fashion inspiration: “I like to be laid-back (and) professional. I like a basic tee with a professional jacket. I think what I wear reflects my personality.”
Favorite fashion tip: “I like simple with a pop of color, whether it’s a red lipstick or a fun blazer.”
Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com
Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com
State Rep. Tyler Paul Smith, R-Bremen
House Judiciary Non-civil Committee chairman
Occupation: Attorney
Fashion inspiration: “My inspiration comes from both my mother and my grandmother. They were both seamstresses. ... In my 20s it was more of a loud and power tie type of dress, but now I trend a little more conservative.”
Favorite fashion tip: “Always, always, always, though, whether it’s a full suit or a blazer, you have to have a pocket square. Without a pocket square, I feel completely naked. ... I always recommend that anybody that has a full suit on, you need that pocket square. It makes it elegant.”
Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com
Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com
State Sen. Rick Williams, R-Milledgeville
Senate Retirement Committee chairman
Occupation: Funeral director
Fashion inspiration: “I think about looking professional and neat, and that’s it, pretty much. Yeah, that’s it. And make sure that my shoes are polished and that my wife will approve.”
Favorite fashion tip: “I’m usually wearing a white shirt, but I do enjoy different ties and different themed ties. ... I have ties with koala bears and foxes and dinosaurs and other animals, and my grandchildren get a kick out of the different ties.”
Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com
Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com
State Rep. Inga Willis, D-Atlanta
Occupation: Entrepreneur and creative executive
Fashion inspiration: “My fashion influences began with my father, who masters the details (and), also, the put-together women in my family, and extends to women who exude timeless eras: Lena Horne, Diahann Carroll, (and) Diana Ross in ‘Mahogany.’ "
Favorite fashion tip: “For me, it’s the color blend and the feel. And I’m very intentional about who’s inspiring me for the season. So I look at the era and the fabrics. It’s like a collage.”
*Disclaimer: No algorithms were used in creating this list.
Previous best-dressed* legislators:
2022: Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell; then-Sen. Michelle Au, D-Johns Creek (now serves in House); Rep. Terry England, R-Auburn; Rep. El-Mahdi Holly, D-Stockbridge; Sen. Billy Hickman, R-Statesboro; Sen. Kim Jackson, D-Pine Lake; then-Rep. Josh McLaurin, D-Atlanta (now serves in Senate); Rep. Bonnie Rich, R-Suwanee; Sen. Randy Robertson, R-Cataula; and Rep. Erica Thomas, D-Mableton.
2021: Rep. Katie Dempsey, R-Rome; Sen. Greg Dolezal, R-Cumming; Rep. Matthew Gambill, R-Cartersville; Sen. Sonya Halpern, D-Atlanta; Sen. Emanuel Jones, D-Decatur; Rep. Donna McLeod, D-Lawrenceville; Sen. Nikki Merritt, D-Grayson; Rep. Bee Nguyen, D-Atlanta; Sen. Brian Strickland, R-McDonough; and Rep. Matthew Wilson, D-Brookhaven.
2019: Rep. Park Cannon, D-Atlanta; Rep. Matt Dubnik, R-Gainesville; Senate Majority Leader Mike Dugan, R-Carrollton; Rep. Houston Gaines, R-Athens; Sen. Harold Jones, D-Augusta; Sen. Jen Jordan, D-Atlanta; Sen. John Kennedy, R-Macon; Sen. Elena Parent, D-Atlanta; Rep. Sam Park, D-Lawrenceville; Sen. Freddie Powell Sims, D-Dawson; and Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan.
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