The Right to Bare Arms?

I stuffed notebook paper into my dress sleeves and got praised for being a “shero” on Twitter.

My sartorial improvisation began as a way to circumvent the rules of the House Speaker’s lobby. According to those rules—which are mostly known by word of mouth—women must wear sleeves in the narrow stretch of hallway outside the House chamber at all times.

I made it through the hall once before my plan was foiled. At that point, an officer politely informed me that, while creative, my paper sleeves weren’t cutting it.

She warned me that the dress code would be discussed on the floor that day, and that she did not want me to be made an example of. I asked her whether my knee-length, high-neck dress was professional. She said that it was, but that everyone, including staff and members, must abide by the dress code.

Several reporters looked on as I crumpled the makeshift shoulder covers and tossed them in the trash. I then made an attempt to enter the lobby without the paper sleeves, thinking maybe my dress would suffice. It did not.