Why Meteorologists Wear the Same Dress

Here's why they love the "Tunic Pencil Sheath Dress"
By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 23, 2015 6:30 PM CST
Updated Nov 28, 2015 1:32 PM CST
Why Meteorologists Wear the Same Dress
This dress is popular among on-air female meteorologists.   (YouTube)

Sartorial conspiracy, anyone? An Imgur user has revealed the fact that many female meteorologists are wearing the same $23 dress—which, it turns out, says a lot about their job and the attitudes of fans. Described on Amazon as a "Stretch Tunic Pencil Sheath Dress," it's a poly/cotton/spandex blend with sleeves, a solid color, and a bold black line down the front. That meets strict dress codes that some work under: "Many stations even have consultants that come in and tell you colors you should and shouldn't wear," KOCO meteorologist Shelby Hays tells Tech Insider (white is bad and green would vanish with the green screen). And solid colors are helpful for avoiding a "Moiré effect" created by busy patterns on camera, another meteorologist tells Fox 2 Illinois.

As Dallas FOX 4 meteorologist Jennifer Myers reveals on Reddit, she's also not allowed to have short hemlines, lace, or cleavage, Refinery 29 reports. "Cleavage angers viewers over 40 something fierce, so we stay away from that," writes Myers. "There's no length rule on skirts/dresses but if you wouldn't wear it to a family event, you probably shouldn't wear it on TV." Myers adds that meteorologists don't have their own stylists or money for pricey clothes—which is partly why the dress caught on when a colleague posted it on a Facebook group page for women in their line of work. "Everyone saw how great it looked," says Hays. "At $23 we could buy a handful of these dresses for what we normally pay for just one." (Another dress "broke the Internet" earlier this year.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X