Is a floral dress a political statement?

Attendees outside of the convention ballroom during the Turning Point USA Young Women’s Leadership Summit on June 14, in Grapevine, Texas. (Image: Sam Hodde/The Washington Post)

The Washington Post

Sun, 20 Jul 2025

By Rachel TashjianWhen the conservative youth group Turning Point USA was planning its recent Young Women’s Leadership Summit in Texas, organisers sent out a Pinterest mood board of suggested looks.Amid a few images of sleeveless vests, skirt suits, and pleated skirts were a number of floral dresses: some with puffed princess sleeves, others with a more casual, backyard-barnyard fit and a few that looked like vintage nightgowns.'Old-fashioned femininity'The attendees either took note of the mood board or didn’t need it: repo...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

The Life

The best, most and weirdest from New York Fashion Week

Collective observations over the past seven days.

The Washington Post 21 Sep 2025

The Life Review

MG QS AWD Essence: big car, small money

The QS is an imposing vehicle for the money MG asks for it.

Damien O’Carroll 21 Sep 2025

The Life Review

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert at the Civic Theatre

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is outrageous, heartfelt and impossible to ignore.

Dalaine Krige 21 Sep 2025

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert at the Civic Theatre

Sponsored

AI agents: opportunity or graveyard? Spark’s five-point playbook for success

Artificial intelligence agents – autonomous digital entities that analyse data, automate decisions, and act independently – are set to drive a new wave of business transformation.

Spark Enterprise

Sponsored