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The First Lady Tells a Story With Fashion
New York Times ^ | Jan 20, 2009 | CATHY HORYN

Posted on 01/20/2009 9:23:13 PM PST by malkee

No one gets the fascination with Michelle Obama, fashion plate, more than her husband.

Invoking another president with a glamorous wife—that would be, maybe, John F. Kennedy? — President Obama told military guests at the Commander in Chief Ball last night, “I have the special honor of being the guy who accompanied Michelle Obama to the ball.”

That got a big laugh, but it would be a few minutes before the first lady made her entrance, in an ivory chiffon dress. But when she did, oh, what a roar.

It was an amazing day for Mrs. Obama — chic and bone-chilling, and maybe at times her feet hurt. For Tuesday night’s round of balls, she chose a fluffy, many-layered gown by a 26-year-old designer named Jason Wu. The dress had a one-shoulder strap and was flecked with organza flowers and crystals.

If Mrs. Obama is a different and more stylish first lady than the country has seen in a while, she proved it Tuesday with some striking fashion choices. The Wu gown was perhaps not as sophisticated as the coat-and-dress ensemble she wore for the swearing-in, but it still made a statement.

As for her vivid yellow inaugural outfit, it seemed designed to stand out against the traditional red and somber black coats on the Capitol steps.

Here is a bolder woman, a serious woman from Chicago and Harvard who is not afraid to express herself with fashion, and it is the kind of confidence that many women will recognize in themselves. Her clothes tell us that she has an adventurous spirit, as well as a sense of humor, and if some of these garments have almost an old-fashioned womanly quality, then they tell us that she is indeed not your average fashionista.

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bhoinauguration; fashion; gowns; heckno; inauguralgala; justsayno; michelleobama; no; noway
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To: Dianna

Michelle Obama began the historic day in a golden-hued eyelet lace coat and sheath with a jeweled collar by Cuban-American designer Isabel Toledo. (The New York designer, a fashion insider favorite, has been quoted as calling the soft yellow-green color, “lemongrass.”) Obama played off the green undertones in the fabric with custom J. Crew olive green gloves and dark green patent Jimmy Choo heels).

Her swearing-in outfit was both conservative and striking - the sparkle and jewels were dressy for midday, but her message seemed to be that after all, this was a day unlike any other. By waving off the traditional and embracing the unusual in her style choices, Michelle Obama sparked often intense discussions about modern fashion among observers who ordinarily don’t pay much attention to the subject.


101 posted on 01/20/2009 10:32:35 PM PST by BurbankKarl
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To: IIntense

Good point, maybe it’s that chip on her shoulder that makes her slump. See, this can all be turned to fashion :-)


102 posted on 01/20/2009 10:32:35 PM PST by katykelly
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To: jonrick46

Whoever described this dress as a chenille bedspread nailed it. Two flops today . . . first was wearing Scarlette O’Hara’s draperies to the swearing in, second was wearing that chenille bedspread to the ball.


103 posted on 01/20/2009 10:32:44 PM PST by BAW
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a bolder woman, a serious woman…not afraid to express herself with fashion…

In respectable fashion-speak, that's the equivalent of: "Your blind date has a wonderful personality."

104 posted on 01/20/2009 10:34:35 PM PST by D-fendr (Deus non alligatur sacramentis sed nos alligamur.)
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To: katykelly
...her bow legged affliction. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

You are very kind, but I'm not quick to believe this causes her ungainly walk. A "finishing school" may be the solution, if any are available these days.

105 posted on 01/20/2009 10:38:43 PM PST by IIntense (o)
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To: malkee
I hate everything she wears. She has no taste in clothes at all. But we got her for 4 years and she will still be tasteless then too. No class, no class at all. Ugly to boot.
106 posted on 01/20/2009 10:41:16 PM PST by trixi
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To: ari-freedom
Mmmmmm...........but I think every Democrat looks back at Jack and Jackie as role models. The two certainly have stood the test of time WRT lasting images of glamour they brought to the stodgy WH.

There's any number of books written about Jackie's clothes, plus the Met Museum of Art recently showed a collection of her outfits----people stood in line for hours to see it.

Hillary flunked the clothes test---does anyone remember that horrid hat she wore on inauguration day? The huge off-the-face hat was made for a tall, sylph-like woman---not a short one with piano legs.


107 posted on 01/20/2009 10:48:33 PM PST by Liz (The right to be left alone is the beginning of freedom. USSC Justice William O. Douglas)
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To: Liz

Someone said that the girls looked cute today, but I’ve only seen one picture with them, all bundled up. Anyone have links?


108 posted on 01/20/2009 10:51:17 PM PST by Dianna (<i>)
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To: freekitty

YES! she can/should


109 posted on 01/20/2009 11:00:26 PM PST by Global2010 (God Will see us through. Persevere)
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To: Liz

I will never forget that horrid blue hat and coat — I remember exactly where I was when I saw it!


110 posted on 01/20/2009 11:00:45 PM PST by malkee (Abigail Adams is my role model.)
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To: Dianna

First one I could find of the girls!!!
111 posted on 01/20/2009 11:03:29 PM PST by malkee (Abigail Adams is my role model.)
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To: freekitty
"but she really needs to get with a designer that understands her figure "

Haven't heard any mention of the diamond choker she wore with the puke gold dress.

Press is deciding what the mistakes (they're editing the oaf of office already) to fix.

yitbos

112 posted on 01/20/2009 11:10:11 PM PST by bruinbirdman ("Those who control language control minds.")
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To: malkee
That white dress would have gotten the designer kicked off of Project Runway. I liked the day ensemble, but thought it inappropriate for the occasion - too much glitz and not enough practical warmth on a very cold day. Jill Biden's choices were much more successful.
113 posted on 01/20/2009 11:16:24 PM PST by Dems_R_Losers (Still not drinking the Obama Kool-Aid)
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To: Liz
there was always this understanding that the Clintons were the folks from Arkansas. Bill, the southern governor with his love for big macs and the death penalty. Not cool.

Obama promises to be different. he's young, hip, 'academic,' got that new 'look' and really liberal. That's what the pop culturists want. The problem is that Michelle is a real hard left marxist and communists were never really known for high fashion...


114 posted on 01/20/2009 11:22:44 PM PST by ari-freedom (Hail to the Dork!)
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To: ottbmare
"I strongly disagree with those who think she’s homely or has a big rear. She can be an attractive woman. No matter what her detractors say.


115 posted on 01/20/2009 11:23:08 PM PST by bruinbirdman ("Those who control language control minds.")
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To: bruinbirdman


116 posted on 01/20/2009 11:25:46 PM PST by ari-freedom (Hail to the Dork!)
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To: All
And Now for Something Completely Different

117 posted on 01/20/2009 11:28:59 PM PST by ari-freedom (Hail to the Dork!)
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To: BAW

Get ready for the Oval Office Rug Pantsuit!


118 posted on 01/20/2009 11:30:03 PM PST by Global2010 (God Will see us through. Persevere)
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To: bruinbirdman

Show me where? That red and black dress is GOD awful. The dress and coat she wore today is GOD awful. The dress she wore tonight looks like a spread on someones bed. She truly is ugly.... and has no CLASS....


119 posted on 01/20/2009 11:30:28 PM PST by trixi
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To: freekitty
"And leather too that really looked out of place with the dress."

Doncha know, green leather gloves, cowpie gold dress with diamond choker in 25 degree weather is the latest fashion? Where have you been?

yitbos

120 posted on 01/20/2009 11:31:42 PM PST by bruinbirdman ("Those who control language control minds.")
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