[SuziQ]

To be fair, Mrs. Bush looked overwhelmed by her outfit. Too much gray, too much fabric, too loose.

I'm thinking Laura purposely chose her understated outfit so as not to compete with whatever Michelle was going to wear. It would be like her; she's such a gracious lady.

But I too, can't stand the open coats in a cool weather outfit If you need a coat, then there needs to be some way to close it without continually holding the front pieces together!

[Constitutions Grandchild]

When I was in my late teens I had the most beautiful black, wool Chesterfield “walking suit”. It was a masterfully tailored 3/4 length jacket and below the knee straight skirt, toasty warm and when paired with a silk stock tie blouse, red riding hat and black suede riding boots, made a very warm, very comfortable and extremely classic presentation. I felt special when I put it on.

No riding hat for Inauguration, obviously, but could also be paired with a pillbox or cloche and do just as well. Something like that would have been so over the top — especially if she had chosen a brilliant color.

Mrs. Bush started choosing matronly outfits that made here beautiful figure disappear. That's no way to highlight what beauty God gave her as a gift. She was the complete package — class, beauty AND disciplined.