(Photo Credit: Black Film)
On ABC’s The View, Whoopi Goldberg shares with television viewers her unique fashion style. It seems that her fashion style resists hegemonic American fashion expectations. An American woman has to confront societal fashion norms: she is expected to dress in appealing and feminine ways. To be honest, Goldberg always looks sloppy and like she’s just lounging around her home or ready for bed. The thought that she simply does not know how to dress in an attractive and professional manner would not be reflective of perspicacious thinking, however. Goldberg is a smart and highly accomplished. She’s also very interested in politics and making political statements. With this in mind, it does not appear sagacious to divorce her politics from her fashion (or anti-fashion) style.
Even before Whoopi Goldberg joined The View, she was not interested in the politics of respectability, that is, politics that asserts that one must look and act a certain way. She’s unafraid to be herself. In an America where assimilation and duplicity are increasingly becoming more embraced, Goldberg’s conspicuous commitment to being herself is refreshing and should be commended. Although your view of what she should wear as a professional may not align with her idea, it’s vital to understand that you should not attempt to impose your view on her. Dress how you want to dress and let her enjoy the same freedom.
When you see Goldberg in clothing that is noticeably loose-fitting, do you ever consider that one of the primary motivations behind her fashion choices is comfort? Is it too unbearable to contemplate a person resisting both traditional and postmodern fashion styles?
What Whoopi Goldberg wears does not have an impact on how well she’s able to do her job. If Goldberg started dressing like Oprah, would this change how well she’s able to do her job? No!
Although, as previously mentioned, I believe that the way she dresses is sloppy and looks like she’s lounging around at home or ready for bed, I have no desire for her to change the way she wants to dress. I also have no longing to impose my fashion style on her. Fashion gives one an opportunity to express his or her individuality, and we all should respect Goldberg’s expression of her individuality through her fashion style. Additionally, as previously mentioned, we might find it useful to consider the political statement(s) her fashion style divulges.
Let Whoopi simply be Whoopi.
Have you ever had an experience with someone who has tried to impose his or her fashion style on you? Do you believe there is a certain way that those who are on television should dress? Does the way Whoopi Goldberg dress bother you?
Antonio Maurice Daniels
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Revolutionary Paideia 
Where does Whoppie get her clothes from?
1/19/16 what brand is Whoopis dungaree shirt
You have a better idea of what brand it is than I.
I’ve seen her in quite a few shirts made by “Tulip” I carry them in my boutique. Benesque Boutique in Lancaster, Ohio
That’s great news.
oopie wears lagenlook styled clothes. Try online at navabi and idaretobe.
Her dress looks unkept and sloppy, I know she is making her statement….😂
Lol!
Why does she dress like a man? I thought she was a butch Lesbian at one stage til I read she had kids lol
Where does Whoppie Goldberg obtain her clothing?
On the July 20. 2015 airing of the View, I would like to know the brand for Whoopi’s plaid shirt dress.
I’m not sure where she purchased it. I would have never thought anyone would be interested in anything she wears.
I am VERY interested in where she buys her clothing. In my little area of the world you can’t find anything like that and I LOVE most everything she wears.
Wow! You’re one of the few people I’ve heard to say that.
Does Whoopi G realky gives a flying crap about how people view her fashion sense? It is not as if she could not afford to be a slave to fashion. That would be against the message she is trying to send… Be your own person. Don’t let everyone else define who you are.
She’s very comfortable being herself. When people try to criticize her about her attire, she does not mind giving them a profanity-laced tirade they will always remember.
She’s very comfortable being herself. When people try to criticize her about her attire, she does not mind giving them a profanity-laced tirade they will always remember.
where does Ms Goldberg Get her clothing? I have always loved her clothing every since she started in television.She is the very best as an actor.
Hello, Bird:
I’m not sure where she purchases her clothing. She almost always looks sloppy to me. I very much enjoy her television and film work, though.
Woopie wears lagenlook styled clothes. Try online at navabi and idaretobe.
Whoopie wears lagenlook styled clothes. Try online at navabi and idaretobe. If she wears anti-fashion then I love anti-fashion. I’m not a sheep. I like artistic unusual things.
The spirit of the piece is to highlight her unique fashion style. It wasn’t to critique her negatively about her style. Yes, never be a “sheep.” I, too, love artistic and unusual things.