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Hillary Clinton's longer hairdo

With her new long hairdo, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is a role model for women past the ingenue state, says Washington Post fashion critic Robin Givhan. She's making a fashion statement.

Hillary Clinton's new long hair is practically radical for Washington's female power elite, says Givhan.

Hillary Clinton's new long hair is practically radical for Washington's female power elite, says Givhan.

Mark Wilson-Getty Images

Conventional wisdom says that <i>femmes d'un certain age</i> should cut their hair. The elegantly aging Catherine Deneuve has not gotten the message.

Conventional wisdom says that femmes d'un certain age should cut their hair. The elegantly aging Catherine Deneuve has not gotten the message.

Criterion Collection

Actress Patricia Clarkson has also decided to ignore the axiom of cutting your hair once you're past a certain age.

Actress Patricia Clarkson has also decided to ignore the axiom of cutting your hair once you're past a certain age.

Stephen Lovekin-Getty Images

It suits actress Meryl Streep to keep her locks long, too.

It suits actress Meryl Streep to keep her locks long, too.

Theo Wargo-Getty Images

First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, at a news conference at the White House in spring of 1994, when her hair style was a constant public obsession.

First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, at a news conference at the White House in spring of 1994, when her hair style was a constant public obsession.

Doug Mills-AP

First Lady and Senate candidate Hillary Clinton in March 2000 in the softly layered hairstyle she wore for years.

First Lady and Senate candidate Hillary Clinton in March 2000 in the softly layered hairstyle she wore for years.

Brad Rickerby-Reuters

In this Feb. 11, 2010 file photo of Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D), she sports a variation of Clinton's layered cut. "It is as though it's the officially vetted hairstyle for public life ...," says Givhan.

In this Feb. 11, 2010 file photo of Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D), she sports a variation of Clinton's layered cut. "It is as though it's the officially vetted hairstyle for public life ...," says Givhan.

Al Goldis-AP

A May 2010 photo of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. Her tousled up-do departs from the officially approved Washington hairdo.

A May 2010 photo of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. Her tousled up-do departs from the officially approved Washington hairdo.

Ethan Miller-Getty Images

Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice kept her shoulder-grazing, steely flip throughout her years in the Bush administration.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice kept her shoulder-grazing, steely flip throughout her years in the Bush administration.

Dave Raczkowski-AP

U.S. Senatorial candidate Carly Fiorina (R) (with approved short haircut) is challenging Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer for the seat in California.

U.S. Senatorial candidate Carly Fiorina (R) (with approved short haircut) is challenging Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer for the seat in California.

Jae C. Hong-AP

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XtPMq9xxOY">FIorina was caught on tape</a> during a television interview last June, dissing the hair of her opponent, Sen. Boxer (above): "What is that hair? ... So yesterday."

FIorina was caught on tape during a television interview last June, dissing the hair of her opponent, Sen. Boxer (above): "What is that hair? ... So yesterday."

Reed Saxon-AP

Belying the stereotype, Clinton's longer hairdo suits her well, and more importantly, she seems comfortable with it, as she is seen here speaking at at the State Department.

Belying the stereotype, Clinton's longer hairdo suits her well, and more importantly, she seems comfortable with it, as she is seen here speaking at at the State Department.

Haraz N. Ghanbari-AP

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