It has been said that in Bermuda much attention is paid to what people look like on the outside rather than inside.

In fact, many will call this one of the Island's "favourite'' pastimes -- just think about it, how many of you men and women can actually say you have never said "check what she has on'' or "he doesn't look too sharp'', or "where did he or she get that!?''.

This attitude especially centres around those who are under the public's microscope.

For the women in Parliament, who feel it is more important that they be heard instead of "checked out'', organising their attire and having a professional look is very important.

Premier Pamela Gordon, who was unavailable to give a comment for this article is always dressed quite smartly with maybe a few new accessories to enhance her look as Bermuda's first woman premier.

She too, like other women of the House, is a conservative dresser always outfitted in suits in both pastels and dark colours.

Kim Young, who has most recently joined the members of Parliament, has the classic look.

"I do wear suits for Parliament because it gives a nice clean look, they are professional looking,'' Mrs. Young said.

She added that she does not have a preference when it comes to colours as she would wear them all.

Is deciding what to wear to the House a chore? Mrs. Young replied: "It's not really difficult for me to decide what to wear, it is no more of a chore than deciding what to wear anywhere.'' Does she feel as though people pay attention to what she has on?. "I think some people pay attention but I don't think it's anymore than people dressing in the workplace and I think people dressing for Parliament are dressing as people in the general workplace would dress. There are certain standards for every place that you work in.

"But it would be nice if people would not pay attention to what is worn and pay attention to what is said.'' Opposition leader Jennifer Smith said: "My style is my own but since becoming leader I made sure I brought more suits.

"I don't often wear dresses but I have a few, I usually wear suits. I like a look that is understated. I think I dress conservatively -- stylish.

"I'm trying to get away from black because that is all I ever had in my wardrobe but now I have some reds which I never wore until the few years ago.

I have added some pizzazz but I do not wear prints.'' Ms Smith added that when dressing in casual wear she likes pieces that are pulled together -- a pant suit, short suits. "I don't buy separates,'' she said.

"I have always thought I should be careful with the way I dress when going to Parliament. I don't have much time to shop but I normally know what I want. I try to shop locally but I am a petite and the selections have diminished greatly. I can't buy the normal size clothes because things are too long.

"I buy my hats at HA&E Smith's and there is a local personal shopper who I have acquired some nice suits from.'' Shadow Minister for Legislative Affairs and Women's Issues, Lois Browne Evans, said: "Maybe it's because of my stature or build or legal work but I have long been addicted to suits. They didn't always have to be tailored, they could be dress-maker suits -- that gave suits a different touch instead of tailored.

"For the longest time I didn't own a pair of slacks because I didn't have a lot of casual time, I even went to kick a football about in a suit! "To the House I wear a suit or a coat dress, I like to wear all colours but black and red are my favourite.'' Mrs. Browne Evans also said that it is not really a chore to decide what to wear to the House. "I just pull out a suit or a jacket and a skirt.'' Responding to the question of whether or not people pay attention to what she wears, Mrs. Browne Evans said: "They have in the past but now they take us all for granted. People say we look lovely at the opening of Parliament but once upon a time it was journalistic writing to detail what everyone had one that day.'' Shadow Minister for Health and Social Services, Renee Webb, said she likes to wear casual and comfortable clothes but "I also like the classical business look in bright colours for the summer and winter, I believe women should be seen and heard,'' she jokes.

"I shop abroad because I mainly prefer European clothes. I usually travel to Europe at least once a year and at that time I buff up my wardrobe. Red is my favourite colour to wear. I wear more red than anything else.

"It's not a chore to decide what to wear to the House because I have clothes specifically for that purpose.'' Ms Webb also said she believed women should be allowed to wear pant suits or Bermuda short suits while debating issues, and men should be allowed to wear Bermuda short suits because they are comfortable and shorts are acceptable business wear.

However, this will probably be very unlikely with the strict dress code which also applies to reporters.

Ms Webb added: "I believe that people should pay more attention to what we say than what we wear and I also believe that concentrating on what people wear further enhances the superficiality of Bermudian society.

"Bermudians are always looking at what Bermudians wear, how they have their hair, or who gained weight -- that is one of our national pastimes.

"Of course they are watching -- I just hope their listening.'' Shadow Minister for Community and Cultural Affairs, Paula Cox, said she does not feel that people are always watching what she wears. "I definitely differentiate between corporate arliamentary style and casual style.

"What I wear when I'm dressing casually is much more fun with an ethnic twist but when I'm in corporate arliament dress I tend to wear things that are different, a little bit of something offbeat or original about them. I want something that looks unique -- maybe something with a different shape or cut -- and I like vibrant colours.'' She added: "For the business look I wear conservative colours such as grey, navy, black but the most flattering things have a bit more colour. "I shop both here and away. I love bargains because I love to think I got something for nothing.

"I tend to decide what I'm wearing to the Parliament on the weekends so if there is a chore about it, it is done well in advance.'' Miss Cox said the challenge is having a closet large enough.

Also unavailable to comment were Grace Bell and Ann Cartwright DeCouto.