• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

‘Take time in quiet’: Melinda French Gates says to spend at least 10 minutes a day on self-care

2

Harry and Meghan's homecoming comes with a multimillion-dollar tax catch—waiting four years could have shielded their $60 million fortune

3

Current price of oil as of August 21, 2026

1

‘Take time in quiet’: Melinda French Gates says to spend at least 10 minutes a day on self-care

2

Harry and Meghan's homecoming comes with a multimillion-dollar tax catch—waiting four years could have shielded their $60 million fortune

3

Current price of oil as of August 21, 2026
MPWMost Powerful Women

Why Fox News Host Ainsley Earhardt’s Pantsuit Is Making Headlines

By
Krishna Thakker
Krishna Thakker
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Krishna Thakker
Krishna Thakker
Down Arrow Button Icon
June 15, 2017, 2:40 PM ET
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Fox News anchor Ainsley Earhardt typically spends her mornings discussing the news. But on Thursday, the Fox and Friends co-host made some of her own: She wore pants on air.

Earhardt appeared in a bright green pantsuit and a ruffled white blouse. While people who don’t watch much Fox News might wonder why her outfit is making headlines, regular viewers will know that, until recently, it was very unusual to spot one of the network’s female anchors in anything but a skirt or dress.

Happy Friday-eve 💁💁💁#betterwithfriends @foxandfriends pic.twitter.com/dOUptoO1Q2

— Ainsley Earhardt (@ainsleyearhardt) June 15, 2017

Some viewers are speculating that recent increase in on-air pants has to do with the removal of ex-CEO Roger Ailes and resignation of former co-president Bill Shine.

Sign up: Click here to subscribe to the Broadsheet, Fortune’s daily newsletter on the world’s most powerful women.

While Fox News has repeatedly insisted that it has never had a formal policy banning female reporters from wearing pants, Gretchen Carlson once told a radio show that she wasn’t allowed to wear them while hosting Fox and Friends. And earlier this year, former Fox personality Jedediah Bila told the hosts of The View that she “wasn’t given a pants option” during her time at the network.

Earhardt, who has occasionally worn pants before, isn’t the first host to switch-up her wardrobe. Jenna Lee, Sandra Smith, and Kimberly Guilfoyle have all appeared on-air with covered legs in recent weeks. According to New York Magazine‘s Gabriel Sherman, Suzanne Scott, who was promoted to president of programming after Shine’s departure, is actually encouraging the network’s female talent to wear pants.

 

About the Author
By Krishna Thakker
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in MPW


Most Popular

Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

    Latest in MPW


    Most Popular

    © 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
    FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.