The First Lady Will Sparkle - Inaugural Wardrobe

washingtonpost.com ^ | Tuesday, January 11, 2005 | Robin Givhan

[crushelits]

First Lady's Inaugural Wardrobe Sparkles Bush Twins Go Hollywood In Badgley Mischka Gowns. 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.

[LauraleeBraswell]

Mrs. Bush always sparkles no matter what she wears.

[apackof2]

Looks lovely

[Echo Talon]

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.

Hmmm, this is scary... I hope someone has a camera at the ready...

[Jay777]

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.

Not scary at all. I'm looking forward to this! They definitely have the sex appeal to show off!

[BushisTheMan]

Can't be worse than the see-through dress of Kerry's daughter.

[Echo Talon]

Can't be worse than the see-through dress of Kerry's daughter.

Well.... actually.... it could be... think of a dress made exclusively out of beads hooked together with string.... that wouldn't cover much skin.

[evad]

What a classy lady!

Thank God for another 4 years of Laura.

[Quilla]

Ah, the infamous Robin Givhan. IIRC, she's the writer who trashed Katherine Harris' appearance in the WaPo in 2000. Feh!

[lilylangtree]

Do admire a woman creating her own style rather than having designers dress her to the latest slutty fashions.

[curlewbird]

The dresses look great! I saw pictures of them yesterday. I think the twins will look like a million bucks!!

[BushisTheMan]

Laughing...you're correct but I'm thinking the Bush girls have more class than the Kerry girls. Just my opinion.

[barker]

Can't wait to see the lovely Laura. Pure class.

[LYSandra]

Without a doubt! And yo can bet they won't be sporting a see thru dress!