The fashion at this year's opening of parliament was like the little girl with the curl on her forehead.
When it was good, it was very, very good, but when it was bad it was horrid. And it doesn't help that, apart from President Kgalema Motlanthe and Trevor Manuel, we don't have a particularly good-looking parliament.
For instance, Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Zuma looked like she's been spending way too much time in Nigeria. She was dressed in a white tent and floppy matching hat.
She was only slightly outdone in the bad taste department by Asanda Boyi who was dressed in an oversized matric dance frock.
Tony Leon's wife, Michal, also decided to shop in the bad taste department, and chose a casual look.
Perhaps, she was trying to show that she too has adapted to the global economic crisis. That is the only acceptable reason for her purple dressed-to-go-to-the-supermarket dress.
Again, Deputy President Baleka Mbete's outfit was just too dreadful, and again she carried it off with unbelievably misplaced confidence.
Fashionistas' favourite trendy politician, Mayor Helen Zille, did not disappoint in a floral red by Philosophy.
The surprise of the day was Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille.
She departed from her usual pant suit, to a lime green skirt and jacket. It was feminine, stylish and she looked great.
The most stylish couple was Jeff Radebe and the beautiful Bridgette Motsepe, but then again they always look good.
Watching our president walking down the red carpet with the Speaker of parliament Gwen Mahlangu Nkabinde, the absence of a First Lady was notable.
But then again, next year, we're probably going to have at least six. How are they going to fit on the red carpet?