On January 13th, 2023, the Missouri House of Representatives started the new year by restricting the women’s dress code in the state’s house. The original dress code, proposed in 2021, required women to wear either a dress, skirt, or slacks worn with a blazer or sweater and appropriate dress shoes or boots. However, just 2 years later, Republican Ann Kelley proposed a legislation that required women to wear jackets worn with dresses, skirts, or slacks, and dress shoes or boots, essentially forcing women to cover their arms. Kelley proposed this legislation because she believes it is necessary to “always maintain a formal and professional atmosphere.” Kelley was met with major backlash from the Democrats, largely because the men’s dress code of a coat, tie, dress trousers, and dress shoes or boots was left unchanged. State Representative Ashley Aune was one of the lead critiquers against Kelley, stating “Do you know what it feels like to have a bunch of men in this room looking at your top trying to decide whether it’s appropriate or not?” Numerous others called the updated dress code “ridiculous.” Despite the retaliation, Kelley defended herself, claiming “How is encouraging professionalism wrong… I will not apologize for standing up for these things.” Eventually, the Missouri House passed a modified version of the proposal that permits women to wear blazers, cardigans, and jackets, but it still requires that their arms be covered.