A new dress code for the Montana House of Representatives that bans jeans and warns women to watch skirt lengths and necklines has drawn the ire of female lawmakers, who say it suggests they cannot independently decide what attire is appropriate.

The wardrobe code was enacted by male leaders of the Republican-controlled House in advance of a legislative session that begins Jan. 5. Most members of the chamber’s Democratic minority are women, who say they were not consulted about new rules that target them for apparel infractions.

The code endorsed by incoming House Speaker Austin Knudsen advises male lawmakers to wear such clothing as suits and dress boots in a style termed “business formal.”

It prohibits female legislators from wearing items like leggings and open-toed sandals, and cautions them to “be sensitive to skirt lengths and necklines.”

House Minority Whip Jenny Eck said the sartorial standards sought to curb women’s clothing choices, raising questions about their judgment and seeking to limit their independence.

Knudsen denied the code sought to curtail women’s fashion or other freedoms. He said the rules, taken almost intact from a code used by the Wyoming Legislature, were designed to ensure that an air of professionalism and decorum prevailed.

He said a female staffer approached him about establishing the dress standards and that he agreed they would be helpful for the dozens of newly elected Montana House members.

“This was not directed at women,” Knudsen said.

But the code has ignited debate on social media about a woman’s right to choose clothing.

Eck said the code could be seen as out of step with a state known for its outdoors lifestyle, laid-back attitude and tendency toward casual attire.

打底裤不算裤子 美国地方议会出台女性穿衣指南

美国蒙大拿州众议院新颁布了一份着装规范，禁止议员穿牛仔裤，并警告女议员注意裙子长度和领口高度，这引起了女议员的不满。她们称这干涉了她们自主选择合适着装的权力。

共和党控制的众议院男性领导人在2015年1月5日开始的立法会议之前颁布了这份着装规范。众议院少数党民主党的成员大多都是女性，她们表示这项针对她们着装不够得体的新规范未征求她们的意见。

即将上任的众议院发言人奥斯汀·克努森签署了这份规范。其中建议男议员穿“商务正装”风格的衣物，如西服和皮鞋。

这份着装规范还禁止女议员穿紧身裤和露脚趾的凉鞋，并警告她们注意裙子长度和领口高度。

众议院少数党督导珍妮·艾克称，它意在干涉女议员的着装选择，质疑她们的判断和限制她们的独立决策能力。

克努森否认了这份着装规范意在剥夺女议员追求时尚和其他自由权力的说法。他表示，这份规范几乎是从怀俄明州议会照搬过来的，旨在确保议会的专业水准和衣着得体的风尚。

他还表示，是一位女议员向他建议颁布着装规范的。他认为这有利于几十位众议院新议员顺利工作，因此签署了这项份规范。

“它并不针对女议员”，克努森说道。

然而，这份规范已经在社交媒体上引发了公众关于女性选择着装权力的热议。

艾克称这份规范与当地崇尚户外的生活方式、悠闲的态度和休闲装的潮流相违背。

Words to Learn 相关词汇

    【着装规范】

    zhuózhuāng guīfàn

    dress code

    【衣着得体】

    yīzhuó détǐ

    dress appropriately  

    【热议】

    Rèyì

    heated discussion