Kansas lawmaker’s colleagues object to his women-only dress code

When it comes to dress codes, some say, state lawmakers ought to just – well, they just shouldn’t.

“Don’t tell people how to dress and you’ll be fine,” said Kansas Rep. Stephanie Clayton, a Republican.

The latest in Capitol dress-code controversy came last week from state Sen. Mitch Holmes, a Republican and chairman of the Kansas Senate Ethics and Elections Committee.

As part of a code of conduct for his committee, Holmes said, “low-cut necklines and miniskirts are inappropriate” for women who testify. He issued no restrictions for men.

“I’m just appalled anyone would treat taxpaying Kansans with such disdain,” Clayton said. “These are people we should be accountable to, not the other way around.”

Clayton said she hasn’t noticed a wardrobe problem with visitors to the Capitol, but if Holmes is concerned, there was another way to express it.

“He could have just said that attire is business professional and kept it gender neutral,” she said.

Sen. Pat Pettey, D-Kan., said she was offended Holmes felt the need to tell women how to dress appropriately but not men.

“Sexist,” she said.

If he’s worried about distractions, she said, why didn’t he rule out wearing costumes in his committee?

“If somebody comes in a clown suit, that’s OK, but if they come in a skirt that someone has determined is too short, that’s not OK,” she said. “Maybe he should keep some smocks handy.”