She's a serious, well-respected and beloved U.S. Secretary of State, but that doesn't mean Hillary Clinton doesn't know how to cut loose and hit the dance floor.
Apart from the success and talent, one reason many adore Hillary, who turns 65 Friday, is that she isn't afraid to show her fun, feminine side to the public. She's also a fearless fashion risk-taker, having braved headbands, scrunchies and neon accessories in the last few years.
"I do love a good handbag," Hillary admitted to Harper's Bazaar in March 2011. "I have this Ferragamo hot-pink bag that I adore. My view was that I would carry it around only in spring, but it makes me so happy, I'm even now lugging it around in January. I mean, how can you be unhappy if you pick up a big pink bag?"
Over the years, it seems that Hillary has really come to own her style, in that she didn't care what anyone thinks of her often-mocked fashion choices. If she wanted to wear (or not wear something), she just went for it. No apologies. Last May, she visited Bangladesh to promote democracy abroad, popping up at official events in glasses and without makeup (except for a bit of lipstick). Of course, people criticized her; Fox News said she looked “tired and withdrawn.” But Hillary, ever so confident, didn't care 'yall!
“I feel so relieved to be at the stage I’m at in my life right now," she told CNN‘s Jill Dougherty in May 2102. "Because you know if I want to wear my glasses I’m wearing my glasses. If I want to wear my hair back I’m pulling my hair back. You know at some point it’s just not something that deserves a lot of time and attention. And if others want to worry about it, I let them do the worrying for a change. It doesn’t drive me crazy anymore. It’s just not something I think is important anymore.”
Currently, it's unclear whether she's staying on or stepping down should President Barack Obama be re-elected. Whatever direction her life and career takes her, we're sure we'll be seeing more of her signature style.
Here's hoping the pantsuit-loving politician is celebrating her big day with some margaritas, Gangnam style DJ mix, and hopefully, a new purse – an accessory she once described as a "uniter of women."
Rina Raphael is a TODAY.com editor who thinks Hillary should release her own business suit clothing line.
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