Friends who enjoy and need fine clothes more than I have offered up their wardrobes as freely as neighbor women used to loan cups of sugar for cookie recipes. I now have a bed full of beautiful jackets and sweet sweaters and gauzy scarves from which to choose.

But what do clothes have to do with my words? If I look stylish, is the book any better? Am I to be the cover the book is judged by?

I know for certain the clothes issue alone would keep me from seeking public office. The first time some wag criticized my style or weight, I'd head straight for the Dior.

Rheta Grimsley Johnson writes for King Features Syndicate.