Female lawmaker Ana Paula da Silva, from the southern state of Santa Catarina, showed up to the Feb. 1 ceremony in a tight, two-piece red pantsuit that showed deep cleavage.
“I think that in our country, the participation of women in politics is so minuscule, that when we get there, it ends up provoking this type of fury,” da Silva told the Associated Press, noting that there were only five women in a state assembly of 40.
“This is my style,” the 43-year-old politician said, defending her choice.
The lawmaker’s haters, which included women, took to social media to argue that her choice of clothing was “inappropriate,” ”shocking” and “vulgar.”
da Silva says she will continue to wear what she wants.