Wasted Potential: The Ladies of Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

Anchorman 2: How to be a High-Powered Career Woman,

But Not be Able to Dress Like One.

Of the several highly anticipated films to watch on my list of stylish films, this first one was a disappointment to say the least. Not only did it not rise to the standard of hilarity quite like its predecessor, it seemed to completely disregard its potential to portray strong-willed career women in the male dominated world of news broadcasting in terms of style.

Was this films not supposed to take place at the end of the 70s, early 80s when power-dressing had already become a popular concept (a book called The Women's Dress for Success Book was published in 1977)?

The only female character who came (mildly) close to this was Linda Jackson (a.k.a. Meagan Good). She may not have worn shoulder pads or trousers, but at least she wore tough fabrics like leather to give off a more badass persona.

Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate) tended to opt for Diane von Furstenberg-esque wrap dresses, which would ordinarily be a good choice, but not in this context.

Chani Lastname (Kristen Wiig) seemed to be the only one who dressed character-appropriate (she's a strange secretary-type who is Brick's love interest).

If you manage to sit through the entire film though, the few random cameos that occur in the end are somewhat satisfying. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler play Entertainment Tonight reporters with smart, yet chic skirt suits, and Marion Cotillard's French Canadian reporter is quite sophisticated as well.

Whatever you do, pay no attention to Kirsten Dunst as "El Trousias, Maiden of the Clouds". Um... what?