The XX Factor: What women really think.

Ladies in Red

I too think we need to revisit our first ladies in red conversation after the Oscars last night. With Hillary and Michelle, the color just seemed derivative, a pol-gal's safe way of standing out in a crowd. But last night the meaning of red seemed much clearer. The most memorable Oscar gowns came in black or red. Both choices were very serious (no room for Cameron Diaz's spaced-out airy-fairy pale pink). Black was the more stern choice (war, writers' strike, grim set of movies), while red allowed some possibility of grounded celebration (writers' strike over, movies this year very good). The color came in all varieties: Heidi Klum (mistress of the mansion), Anne Hathaway (thorn fairy), Helen Mirren, Ruby Dee (great dames), Katherine Heigl (Marilyn Monroe with morals), Miley Cyrus (tasteful prom). All sent the same message: Red is what you wear when you want to show up at the party but stay sober.

Look for Hillary in red, should she squeak by in Ohio or Texas.