Florida House dress code: No skirts more than an inch above the knee. Is this 2023? | Opinion

The Florida House, not content with creating an election police force, banning books in schools or regulating women’s bodies when it comes to pregnancy, has apparently taken on yet another enforcement role: fashion police.

Women, say goodbye to your sleeveless tops “when members are in the building.” The sight of your upper arms is too much for the hallowed halls of the Legislature to bear, it seems. And short skirts? We can’t believe you even asked.

A flyer circulating in the Capitol shows, complete with helpful photographs, what a person can and cannot wear. Some items are labeled as “NEVER work appropriate.” No “dress or skirt more than one inch above the knee.” No “low cut blouses or dresses.” No shoes without socks — that one, refreshingly, is aimed at men.

There are different (extra conservative) rules for days when House members are present. Suits are required for both men and women on the House floor.

All right. Sure. It’s important to preserve the dignity of this storied institution. Serious business going on here, folks! (Remember that the next time they are debating whether Key Lime pie or strawberry shortcake should be the official state dessert.)

Seriously, though, socks are key to good legislating. Everyone knows that.

At least Florida House members are allowing women to wear pant suits. Please, no one remind them of Hillary Clinton or we’re sunk.

It’s not just Florida. They’re doing the same thing in Missouri, where the House of Representatives revised its dress code this month to require that women legislators and staff members wear jackets. Something else both places have in common: Florida and Missouri’s legislatures are controlled by Republicans.

Enforcement of the rules here in Florida could prove problematic. How low is “low cut?” Who will measure the inch above the knee? Who will decide if you’re wearing leggings or just tight pants or, God forbid, jeggings? Perhaps there will be volunteers from the House to figure it out. Walk around the Capitol on any day during session, and we’re pretty sure you’ll see a lot of members deeply interested in how short skirts are and the depth of V-necked blouses.

Remember, this is where Matt Gaetz got his start in politics before going to Congress. Where Sen. Jack Latvala resigned in 2018 amid sexual-harassment claims from a half-dozen women. Where a “Mad Men” atmosphere prevailed not that long ago. And, of course, women’s clothing was to blame.

To be fair, some of the restrictions are genderless. No T-shirts with writing. No jeans “with holes.” And there are restrictions on men. One photo under the “NEVER appropriate” category shows a man in a patterned suit. Hard to say if that applies to any pattern or just those that the House finds aesthetically displeasing.

And yet, because this is government, there are loopholes. As Rep. Anna Eskamani of Orlando jokingly tweeted, “Since ball gowns are not mentioned I guess we can still get away with those.”

We do applaud the impulse to look more professional in the House. Acting more professional, though, is the real trick. One way to do that: Quit wasting time on the transparently cynical “woke” wars pushed by Gov. DeSantis in his quest for the White House and focus on the real needs of the people. Stuff like affordable housing, a solution to the escalating property-insurance crisis, rising seas, diversifying an economy too dependent on tourism.

Ah, but that’s not so easy. So we have one more thought that is sure to spur women, anyway, to take action against these silly rules if nothing else: How long before they start requiring pantyhose?