WASHINGTON — The weather forecast can be very different in different areas across the United States, but the people who bring you that forecast on TV may start to look increasingly alike.
That’s because a particular dress — specifically, the Homeyee Women’s Stretch Tunic Pencil Sheath Dress U837 — has taken off in popularity among TV meteorologists nationwide. Women who are meteorologists are always on the hunt for dresses that are flattering, affordable, professional-looking and yet eye-catching.
The phenomenon took off when a link to the Amazon page for the dress was posted on a private Facebook group for female broadcast meteorologists. More than 50 meteorologists nationwide have bought one so far, Dallas’ Jennifer Myers says on Facebook.
NBC Washington and WTOP meteorologist Lauryn Ricketts is a member of that Facebook group, though she was forwarded the link from someone else. She snapped one up.
There was a bit of a pileup locally, she says. She got the dress in mauve, in part because “I didn’t see a lot of people have that.” She wanted houndstooth, she says, but NBC Washington’s Angie Goff and WUSA’s Allyson Rae beat her to it.
Every female meteorologist in US is wearing the same $23 dress. I have it too, diff print! https://t.co/Oh0qJ98Njr pic.twitter.com/dM9aOEETgn
— Angie Goff (@OhMyGOFF) November 24, 2015
It hasn’t arrived yet, but Ricketts explains the appeal.
“Patterns that you wear on TV are important,” she says.
The dress has “darting at the hips” to provide a slimming effect, she says.
“The camera does add weight. HD’s are a bit better, but cameras do add pounds. Every woman wants to look her fittest on air, [however] that is perceived for them.”
And comments about appearance are part of a female broadcaster’s lot, she says: “Oh, yeah — all the time. That’s why I have, like, four things that I wear, that I know people won’t comment on.”
But this dress works perfectly, she says.
“You just want to look the part — you just want to look conservative, professional. And it’s bright and colorful, so you pop a little bit. So this dress is perfect for being on air.”
She’s clearly not alone in that.
