Bold Red Lipstick Is a Political Uniform, Too

Forget pearls, go for the hoops.

Ditch the double-breasted blazer, grab a leather jacket.

Sensible shoes can be stilettos, or sneakers.

And you can never go wrong with a bold lip.

When preparing to make her national prime-time television debut at the Democratic National Convention this past week (tucked amid 16 other “rising stars” of the party) Yvanna Cancela knew which style she would go with: “the reddest of lips and biggest of hoops.”

It was an ideological decision as much as a fashion choice.

“I think women in politics should present themselves as they see themselves, and not necessarily how they think they should be seen,” said Ms. Cancela, a Nevada State Senator who lives in Las Vegas. “I try to be intentional while also walking the line of not reinforcing stereotypes. If I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t do it, but I wear my hoops about 90 percent of the time.”

“People are much more responsive to authenticity than to conformity,” she added.

Many of the most striking onscreen looks at the D.N.C. were departures — some slight, some daring — from anything resembling the uniform look of muted colors, conservative cuts and consultant-approved necklines that women in politics have been encouraged to abide by for years.