Posted on 01/10/2005 11:04:42 PM PST by Former Military Chick
The inaugural gown that first lady Laura Bush will wear next week is an ice blue and silver embroidered tulle V-neck dress with a matching duchess satin coat by Seventh Avenue designer Oscar de la Renta.
The gown is youthful and feminine, not sexy -- the epitome of good taste. But it is almost overshadowed by the glamorous day suit that de la Renta created for the swearing-in ceremony. The Inauguration Day ensemble consists of a winter white cashmere dress with embroidered trim that is topped with a matching embroidered coat. The ensemble has classic lines, but it also reflects fashion's current interest in ladylike daywear festooned with glitter or beading. It is not that Mrs. Bush has opted to indulge in fads for the president's second inauguration. It is that, at the moment, fashion has come around to her. The combination promises to be splendid.
The first lady has chosen a sophisticated and personal approach to her Inauguration Day wardrobe rather than kowtowing to tradition. Will there be an inaugural hat? "Negative on the hat," says her spokesman, Gordon Johndroe.
The president will wear a business suit to his swearing-in rather than a more formal morning coat -- a style last worn by President Ronald Reagan. The Bushes' daughters, Jenna and Barbara, have chosen to show off their fashion savvy as well as their sex appeal by supporting one of American fashion's more unproven talents and using the expertise of designers who take traditional beadwork and make it lighthearted.
When Mrs. Bush stands next to her husband at noon on Jan. 20, she will not be enveloped in the traditional patriotic primary hues of red or blue that have allowed so many first ladies to be spotted from a half-mile away.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
FYI
Hey .......I've done that. They are incredible to see.
Laura is a First Lady who will go down in history, imho.
For what?
Grace and charm?
I honestly doubt it. Not suggesting she lacks them, just that she'll be remembered in history for having them.
Think about the 41 other First Ladies we've had. Maybe four get mentioned - Dolly Madison, Mary Todd Lincoln, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Jaqueline Kennedy.
Madison for actions in the War of 1812, Lincoln for being nuts (helps that Abe is famous), Roosevelt for policy influence, and Kennedy because of media infatuation. It's not a knock on Laura Bush, but I don't see her making history books.
You know, in the midst of all the politics, I'd forgotten about the beautiful gowns and suits we'll get to see!
A friend usually has an inaugural party for all the Republicans in the neighborhood, complete with champagne and great food and flags. She's sick this year but is going to try and have the party ... I can't wait.
Thanks for the ping, it's a suprisingly gracious article from the Washington Post. It sounds like our fabulously classy First Lady has surprised and won over Oscar de la Renta who thought she'd spurn his designs because of the association with Hillary.
As if we ever had any doubts as to Laura's classiness.
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