Isaac Mizrahi said he thinks "appearance is everything whether it's a female or a male politician." Once privy to a list that was sent to politicians to highlight what voters like to see their politicians dressed in, he said double-breasted suits were a misstep for men and dangling earrings were off limits for women, "which is a shame because there's nothing more aging than a post earring."

"I know that if I don't like someone's appearance I won't consider getting to know them on any level, let alone vote for them for office. I think Hillary looks good now. She looks better than she did 10 years ago," Mizrahi said. "She's someone who has found a style, and whose style the rest of the world has finally accepted. I remember people used to make fun of her for changing her hair a lot and now it seems like everyone changes their hair more often. That's Sen. Clinton's influence."

Brown, a self-described huge Obama fan, said, "In a way, Michelle Obama is the epitome of what modern politicians should wear. She always dresses simply and very safe but she looks pulled together. You don't notice her clothes as much as what she says."

Doo-Ri Chung is more concerned about a female leader's policies than her attire. "I like women who are strong and intelligent as opposed to someone who wears an amazing bright-colored designer dress. But I certainly don't want to see someone looking dowdy."

Time.com's Cox said politicians' knack for pantsuits and pearls and their disinterest in using clothes as self-expression may be a cloak of sorts. "Politicians don't want to tell us who they are in any case."

There's something to be said for keeping with customary attire, like head scarves coordinated with loosely fitting clothes, as proven by Africa's first elected female head of state, Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Mozambican Prime Minister Luisa Diogo and the late Bhutto. Belfrage said, "Appearance is much more important than we would like it to be or even acknowledge that it is. Even though people vote for or against a set of political decisions, people consider if a person seems conservative, strong or has integrity. You read that from appearance."