The First Lady Tells a Story With Fashion

New York Times ^ | Jan 20, 2009 | CATHY HORYN

[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.

[katykelly]

Her stance and walk are not graceful. I attribute this to her bow legged affliction. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

[TAdams8591]

That surely doesn’t help! : )

[Proud_USA_Republican]

Dream on. The MSM only prints stories about first lady spending when its a republican in the whitehouse.

[TAdams8591]

"But it is absolutely ASTONISHING, in this day and age, that a woman in the highest political and international circles, with the ability to summon advisers with a simple nod, would not avail herself of the best fashion advice she can get."

The above, as well as the rest of your post, is very graciouly expressed.

[malkee]

I think she would have been fine in a dress with two shoulders on it. No one over 30 should go strapless — even with one strap!

[freedumb2003]

Any woman no matter how unattractive or attractive can look better with the right clothes, hair and makeup.

Unless they rearrange her face, the best pros won't be much help.

She could probably overcome being born ugly. But being stupid, what can you do? (I invite anyone, especially lurkers, to read her "Dr. Thesis" = "grant one for EEO" to see how stupid one person can be).

[Liz]

I remember Jackie........... and Michelle ain't no Jackie K!

In Oleg Cassini's 1987 autobio---In My Own Fashion---he writes Jackie wanted to wear the gown he designed for the Inaugural Ball held the evening of the inauguration, but that she had already ordered a custom-made gown from Bendel's and could not back out of the order. She did wear Cassini's magnificent gown-----to a ball held the night before.

Later she wanted the Cassini gown in the Smithsonian collection of First Lady inagural ball gowns--she loved it so much. But they insisted she submit the Bendel gown since it was the one she wore. In several Jackie bios she is shown in the Bendel gown

This is Jackie in the Bendel. She wore a cape over it for the ball.

BERGDORF INAUGURAL BALL GOWN

CASSINI NIGHT BEFORE INAUGURAL BALL GOWN

[odin2008]

The story is... Don’t shop at the DOLLAR STORE for fashions.

[Lorianne]

If Mrs. Obama is a different and more stylish first lady than the country has seen in a while ...

That's flat out unfounded. Larua Bush was/is always stylish.

That said, I LIKED the yellow-green daytime inagural ensemble (except the shoes, which made my feet hurt just watching). I think a pair of fetching high boots like Condi Rice is wont to wear would have kicked it up a notch.

The ball gown ... uh, no, its not working for Mrs. Obama.

But she has plenty of time to be adventurous with fashion, to experiment with different styles ... so, no harm, no foul.

[katykelly]

OK. I admit I haven’t watched any of this on the tube, but judging from that picture, the white dress is unremarkable.

[tinamina]

I think she is very UN-confident of her appearance. She’s too tall, she stoops, she has no breasts and too big a middle and much too big a bottom. Nice legs though. She should find a person who cares to make her more attractive in her clothes. Why did not she find this makeover person before today? THAT I do not understand. Maybe everyone always said she was too beautiful? Don’t get it otherwise.

[ari-freedom]

remember: Obama is supposed to be Lincoln. Therefore, Michelle won’t be like jackie. She’ll be more like Mary Todd.

[HomeschoolMomma]

“That said, with the right clothes and makeup, Michelle would look far more attractive, agreed. “

it would also help if she wasn’t a nasty commie shrew.

But does this help?

[ari-freedom]

no...that would just confirm all those suspicions that Obama is a closet muslim.

[HomeschoolMomma]

no...that would just confirm all those suspicions that Obama is a closet muslim.

It's not a burka...its a paper bag!

Then again ...no difference!

[nutmeg]

Prediction: watch out for a light blue dress soon

ROTFL! ;-D

[malkee]

Ah, the wonders of Photoshop.

[bergmeid]

Looks like a giant Tampax with a bag over her head.

[katykelly]

She is bow legged. Remember how bad Hillary looked 16 yrs. ago? Michelle’s handelers will take care of her. Hopefully not in pant suits.

[IIntense]

...not very seemly, if you catch my drift.

I do. I've been reading all these biting critiques of M.O.'s build and bad dress taste. Yet I do confess that I've been amused at some of the comments.

As to her getting some advice on how to look her best, I don't see that as the first place to start.

Recall: "For the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country...". That offensive, anti-American remark carries more weight that anything she wears. She told the world what's INSIDE her!

This woman has been given every opportunity that anyone else in this country has, and until she gets rid of that prejudiced chip on her shoulder, I don't give a damn what she wears.