Superficial Alert for DUer Fashionistas- Let's talk!

[FrenchieCat]

I just wanted to discuss the First Lady's style choice with those who want to participate.
I consider myself a Fashionista, as those born and raised in Paris, France often do. LOL!

What I like about our First Lady is that she will not wear the expected.
She is not a fashion follower, she is a fashion setter.

Due to her height, her amazing skin hue, and her womanly curves, Michelle Obama can get away with
certain styles that many others cannot. She can get away with wearing Lemongrass Yellow Gold on the "big" day,
and stand out from the rest. Some hated her Green shoes and Gloves, but I personally loved them,
because it was unexpected and fresh. The kind of thing that grows on you.


Pre Inauguration Celebrations

We haven't seen Michelle Obama in many suits; she prefers dresses.
But on January 18 for the "We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial"
Michelle Obama donned a smart tan and black Narciso Rodriguez suit with a longer jacket that doubled as a coat.
It's a professional, pulled-together look.


Michelle Obama showed up a the "Kid's Inauguration" event January 19 in a J. Crew sweater,
layered (and belted) over a print teal top and teal straight skirt.


Inauguration Day






At first look this dressy golden dress and coat looked merely brocade,
but a closer look revealed a white lining so it appears to be an eyelet lace.
It was later reported that the fabric was Swiss wool lace.
Michelle Obama has paired it with green patent Jimmy Choo "Glacier" shoes and J. Crew gloves, and a red box clutch purse.
It's another strong look for the new First Lady, but one with an innovative twist.
At the Inaugural Day luncheon at Statuary Hall, Michelle Obama removed the wool lace jacket to her yellow sheath to reveal a cashmere cardigan (one of her trademark looks).

And it's by another Cuban-American designer, Isabel Toledo (Narciso Rodriguez is also Cuban-American).

Inauguration Ball Gown





This dress choice had Michelle Obama as the Fairy Princess in the Cinderella Story. Some folks wished for something more colorful, more fitted, more high Fashion.
What Michelle Obama knows is that this dress will end up in the Smithonian, and that it will age well, as it is the all time
classic of the beautiful ballgown with that shoulder twist.



Inauguration Breakfast Prayer



The First Lady -- for the last inaugural event, the National Prayer Service -- chose an oriental-print dress.
Michelle looks great in this silhouette (fitted on top, full skirt).
The dress is designed by another not-so-famous designer -- Tracy Feith -- who is a surfer-turned designer.
Love Tracy Feith's bright colors and prints?
Your local Target may have them come May when his Go International collection goes on sale.



Whistle Stop Pre Inauguration




Past events and choices

[Bicoastal]

1. I didn't think the Inauguration Ball Gown worked on TV...

...but man, does it EVER work in pictures.

(wolf-whistle.)

[Muttocracy]

3. the little details on it kind of get lost on small screens. nt

[TuxedoKat]

93. I noticed that too...

it looks much better in photographs than on tv, but I still liked it when I first saw it.

[1Hippiechick]

94. I didn't think it worked for her figure - something fitted to below the hip and then flaring -

she has a nice figure, but one wouldn't know it in this dress...
One noticed THE DRESS rather than HER - just my opinion

[Muttocracy]

2. I loved them all except the green accessories with the lemongrass coat

but maybe it just doesn't look good on a computer or TV screen. I liked the Inaug. outfit itself - pretty but practical, and not just another red.

I really love her black-and-tan outfit from the Lincoln Memorial and the layers of purple from the trainride.

[polichick]

4. I love that Michelle does her own thing...

She even pulls off the ones I'm not crazy about.

Here are a few more:

http://www.blackvoices.com/life-style/black-style-beaut...

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/popup?id=5322917&contentIndex...

[polichick]

6. Here's one of my very favorites:

[Zookeeper]

9. Wow! That's really nice. n/t

[FrenchieCat]

16. Oh yes, that was gorgeous!

And remember this?

[polichick]

31. She looks great in that one! No wonder it sold out.

[tblue]

21. Oh yeah. I love that! Sleek and understated. I want that outfit!!!!!

[polichick]

32. I'd like that one too!

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

38. I love that look on her. Just pull it on and be yourself. Simple fabric and nice drape.

Her arms are so perfect and she looks so graceful in the photo. Simplicity at it's finest!

[WHAT]

76. She's no paper doll. I like that!...

That flirty type of quirkiness sometimes hinted at (green?!) requires a fashion sense. In contrast, Jill Biden seems too pulled-together, she somehow articulates as a flat, contrived personality. As a disclaimer, I hate to shop so most people are more deserving of fashion praise than I could ever be.

I'll be sitting on the sidelines, watching what she wears and enjoying it. I thought people gave Laura too hard of a time, here (what does politics have to do with fashion?). That being said, Laura is a very handsome woman but Michelle is more vibrant and alive and it's going to be fun to watch her creative choices.

[Lorien]

49. That's the first outfit I've seen her wear

that gives her beautifully normal proportions! Not pear shaped for a change. Very nice.

[shanti]

69. i like that one too!

and think she looks better in solid colors.

[Ilsa]

72. She looks great in that pic. I love that on her. She has the height to wear it. nt

[FrenchieCat]

10. That first link has some really awesome photos of some of her fashions...

really awesome.

[Aloha Spirit]

5. Alright guys, let's see who was really paying attention.... At which campaign stop did she wear this

(which I like very much)

[Aloha Spirit]

13. Another clue

[FrenchieCat]

14. Puerto Rico!

With this wonderful blouse, came a pencil skirt to die for!

[Aloha Spirit]

18. Yay! so fun, that outfit. & when you got beautiful arms, it is a responsibility to show them off.

A proper salute to the ruffle trend.

[FrenchieCat]

20. Definitely!

And I love that she promotes brands and designers that many of us can afford.

J. Crew must be simply delighted with their new First Lady!

[rvablue]

7. Nice pics. Love her style! But you've got an error:

She wasn't holding a red purse on Inauguration Day ... it's the case that holds Lincoln's Bible.




Michelle Obama holds the Lincoln Bible as she arrives at the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America on the West Front of the Capitol in Washington, January 20, 2009. Obama becomes the first African-American to be elected to the office of President in the history of the United States.
REUTERS/Mark Wilson/Pool (UNITED STATES)


ed:pic

[FrenchieCat]

11. Well it should have been her purse, cause the color burst looked great!

LOL!

[Zookeeper]

8. The only piece I didn't like was the inaugural ball gown.

It looked lumpy and would have been a real disaster on anyone shorter or heavier than Michelle.

[MissMarple]

45. The main thing for me about that dress...the train made it hard to dance in.

Otherwise, it was quite interesting, and she could carry it off. I would look like a dandelion puffball in it.

[FrenchieCat]

51. Yes, I agree that there should have been a mechanism to the dress,

to hitch the train to. I was surprised that there wasn't, actually.

She'll know the next time.

[mopinko]

75. she kept having to kick it around, or pull on it to get it out of the way.

she pulls all this other stuff off so effortlessly that it pained my to watch her fight with that dress. and the back of it looked like it was safety pinned together.
i didn't think it showed up well at all on the teevee, even a big screen hd. i kept looking at it, wondering what the hell those little things were. i know this is partly one of those personal things- there is a restaurant here that has a decor of bad art. paint by numbers and other awful paintings. other kitchy stuff. very fun. the ceiling is acoustic tile decorated with little balls of foil. i could not get the vision of that place out of my mind when i looked at that dress.

other than that, i could care less about this stuff. dressed up for me is a pair of jeans with no holes and a shirt that is not a t-shirt. maybe some clean shoes. but i love this woman. she has first lady written all over her.

[NJCher]

12. thank you for the eye candy

What a treat!



Cher

[pleah]

15. I am so glad we finally have a First Lady that doesn't wear

the usual ugly clothes that the others always ended up wearing. So far, I like just about everything she has chosen to wear.

[BumRushDaShow]

17. I only wished the green shoes had matched the green gloves

but otherwise, she is blessed with a model's height and a shapely body build and can pretty much wear anything with a flair.

[annabanana]

19. She wears them all well.. There isn't a single outfit that is "wearing her"

as they say. The only one I don't care for is the black & red election night dress. I find the black band around the waist to be abrupt. Her ball gown is really lovely. The length proved to be a bit awkward when they danced, but it will do very well indeed in the museum. The red jacket in the last picture is too bulky, but the color is good on her.

Does anyone have any info on that rock on her finger?

[FrenchieCat]

24. IMichelle Obama jewelry by Loree Rodkin for the Inaugural Ball

http://www.style-television.com/2009/01/21/michelle-oba...

[mtnsnake]

22. As long as she doesn't wear what Hillary wore to Bill's Inaugural Parade, I'll be happy!

and I'm not dissing Hillary because you all know how much I love her! Even Hillary poked fun at herself for some of her outfits like this one:

Hillary Clinton: "My Worst Outfits Ever!"
http://64.90.166.18/hillary_clinton_fashion_police_0207...

[asdjrocky]

26. And wern't her and Tipper in like, matching hats?

[mtnsnake]

29. Not sure

Hey rocky, sometime can you PM me that saying you did about how it's one thing if you criticize someone in your family like your son or your sister, but if anyone else does it they'll have hell to pay. Thanks

[asdjrocky]

33. Hey ya ol' Snake.

If I can remember it, I promise to send it along.

[Jennicut]

85. I will never forget the matching hats in 1993

I really like Hillary and always loved Tipper but their fashion choices were not always the best. Michelle and Jill seem to have it down though!

[ronnykmarshall]

28. I didn't like it either ...

but that night .... WOW! She looked fantastic.




There's a great picture of Hillary with Chelsea as they were leaving for the 2nd swearing in .... Chels is showing her mother what she was wearing ... it was a kind of a mini dress ... mom wasn't too pleased.

[ronnykmarshall]

23. Wasn't crazy about the election night dress.

But the ball gown was just stunning.

The inaugural outfit was just perfect for her.

[mtnsnake]

27. Agreed

on all accounts. I thought everything else she wore was really nice, though, not that I'm any authority on fashion or anything. lol

[FrenchieCat]

34. The election night dress actually grew on me quite a bit.....

and I can't say that she copied off of anyone else....that's for sure.

I also loved the dress she wore on Colbert a few months ago!

[ronnykmarshall]

36. I was probably crying to much the night of the election to take note at first.

Some people just thought it was horrible ... it was ok.

Can she just WORK it when she walks?

I really like the dress she wore to the prayer service on Weds.

[FrenchieCat]

42. Yeah....I loved that Wednesday dress.

It was youthful, ethnic and simple other than the print. It was an excellent choice....as it allowed her to stand out in a very subtle and sensical way!

And The lady can wear her some print, which is what happens when one is nearly 6Ft tall!

[ronnykmarshall]

25. My favorite picture

[FrenchieCat]

30. That's the stuff that Cinderella Stories are made of!

And that Hubby of hers ain't half bad!

[ronnykmarshall]

35. Is it ok to have a crush on the Prez?

He is just so damn CUTE!

I look at the two of them and I just feel so proud.

[FrenchieCat]

37. It ain't just OK, it's encouraged.

We may be politically active, but we are simply mere humans after all!

[ronnykmarshall]

43. My mom was saying ..

she wished Michelle had worn her hair up for the night. But damn, they didn't have much time after the parade to get ready to go back out.

Michelle has great hair. Hillary, I think has fantastic hair as well. There's a Lebowitz picture of Hillary with her hair sort of slicked back that was just stunning.

[FrenchieCat]

52. I think I know that Hillary Photo you are talking about.

Here's Michelle with her hair up:

[Eurobabe]

81. Gotta agree, check out this pic

one of my all-time favs so far, (from all the festivities)

[firedupdem]

56. Love that picture of our President! Hott Hott Hott

They make such a great couple. Both of them are comfortable in their own skin and that makes a huge difference. When people are comfortable with themselves they rock their outfits 100%!

[VolcanoJen]

39. Having been there but having missed the Inauguration, still, my favorite moment....

... was finally arriving back at the hotel in time to catch "The Neighborhood Ball" for the first dance and serenade by Beyonce.

What a gorgeous and beautiful moment. I wept. With joy.

((I posted about missing the ceremony, including photos of the madness and frivolity, at the DU thread here.)

[FrenchieCat]

44. We cried....you and I. I could someone not? It was the cinderella story

happening right before our very eyes!

[VolcanoJen]

55. Even Jon Stewart showed it and tried to mock it on "The Daily Show."

Then he said, "Actually, that was beautiful." With a tear in his eye, too!!!!!

AMERICA!

[FrenchieCat]

74. I saw that!

[Cha]

40. Michelle Obama looks

fantastic in every single shot so she must be doing something right.

[lunatica]

41. I love them all.

And you're right. She's a trend setter, not a follower of fashion.

[JI7]

46. i hope she attends Fashion Week, Laura Bush started attending them

so it could kind of be a tradition. but Laura just wore the same stuff she usually wears. i'm sure Michelle would actually try some new styles while there and can get more attention.

i liked her ball gown a lot.

[Political Tiger]

47. She looks marvelous

no matter what she is wearing!

[Lorien]

48. I just wish that she would choose figure flattering styles

colors/ fabics, all of that is fine, but her choices generally make her look hippy and small chested, and put the largest emphasis on her lower body, elongating her waist with that empire cut. I'm curvy, and personally I like fashion that draws the attention upward towards a person's face. Horizontal strips on motifs are a very bad idea on anyone over a size 4. Just mho.

[NashVegas]

54. I Think Her Cuts Reflect Her Figure Instead of Disguising It, And I Like That

As far as I can tell, MO *is* hippy and small chested, and that she often wears clothes that look good on her in spite of her figure faults is overwhelmingly positive.

Only thing I have any complaint with is when she wears colorful florals; she drowns in them.

[Lorien]

61. Well, I guess we can agree to disagree

I think they're distracting, which is never good for a public figure.

[Top Cat]

50. Our First Lady is a trendsetter and many will follow her style.

[fortyfeetunder]

53. Heck, she'd look good in a burlap sack!

That woman is naturally beautiful and radiant.

I think as she grows in the First Lady role, look for more outfits that highlight her natural beauty.

She will look fabulous, no matter what!

AS for me, I care what she does more than how she looks.

[pipi_k]

57. Michelle Obama in a burlap sack...

I agree...she would probably look great no matter what she's wearing.

Me?

bah

I could be wearing the most expensive designer stuff in the world and still look like a frump. Either you've got "it" or you don't, I guess




Anyway, I just think she's an all around amazing lady.

[Hekate]

58. FrenchieCat, TY for the really fun thread. Michelle has a very good sense of what looks well on her

The only piece of advice I would ever be so bold as to give her would be to find someone who knows how her outfits will look on television. By this time, male pols know what kinds of striped neckties will make the screen shudder, and I'm sure there's some Hollywood type who could give a bit of advice to the First Lady. I think that was what was wrong with the red/black dress she wore on Election Night -- it no doubt looks terrific in person.

I love Michelle's sense of color and shape. When I was younger I used to wear a whole lot of bright colors, and although I am short I wore a lot of scaled-down prints, too. My waist was very small in proportion to my hips -- I wore wide belts. >sigh< The changes that age brings to some of us...

It was always kind of sad that Laura Bush never had the fashion-sense to know what would flatter her. She has the access, and gods know she has the money. Her figure is not bad, only middle-aged, and the same with her features and skin-tone, at least until Botox froze her expression. Also sad is that some of the same DUers who knock our interest in Michelle Obama's clothes and hair used to spend so much time making fun of Laura Bush's clothes -- although I admit to a few LOLs at the drapery/slipcover/Butterick pattern comments.

Regardless, despite the grumping of DUers who think this is too trivial for words, attainable fashion brings a lot of pleasure to a lot of people, especially women-people. Michelle Obama, lawyer and executive, doesn't need to wear gray suits and bow-blouses to be taken seriously. She has a very good eye.

Hekate

[Vektor]

59. I agree that the coolest thing about Michelle is that she does her own thing.

I always think she looks nice, and even if all her outfits are not a hit with everyone, the fact that she does what she wants to do, and is not a slave to every commercially viable trend, makes her a hit with me.

[skygazer]

60. I'm no fashionista but I love the First Lady's style sense

I thought the inauguration outfit was wonderful, loved the shoes and gloves, thought she looked great and has the confidence to pull it off.

The ball gown was gorgeous and I didn't understand how anyone could not like it. And the Tracy Feith dress is great. She always looks wonderful and she can carry off a lot of jewelry styles too - I remember one event during the campaign when she wore a really great necklace that a lot of people could not pull off.

I found a photo -

[Sheltiemama]

62. Count me as superficial!

I liked what she wore to the celebration last Sunday the best. The lemongrass color was stunning on her, though she must have been freezing!

I think that the red box purse you mentioned is the case for the Lincoln Bible, though.

I noticed that she was wearing flat shoes the day after the inauguration, after being in heels all day and night.

I really want to know about the jewelry she wore at the balls!

[FrenchieCat]

64. I've been corrected on the Lincoln Bible in its Burgundy Velvet Box....

Still looked good, and if she needed a purse, that would have been a good one!

I don't think that her Inauguration suit left her cold. I believe that it was a wool and lined, and in addition she had a cashmere sweater on as well. I believe that the reason that the outfit was a bit bulkier than one might normally imagine is precisely because of the lining and the thick wool. If it was 20 degrees, and she didn't appear very cold....to me anyways.

I did link to the jewelery info....

Upon closer inspection - as close as I'm gonna get, anyway - the material of Michelle Obama's outfit is in fact a sort of glinting platinum metallic fabric overlaid with heavy wool lace. It's a marigold shade like Freida Pinto's Golden Globes gown. Very sumptuous, and very Prada.

the Canadian connection in Michelle Obama's Inauguration Day outfit: the sparkly rhinestone detail on the neckline of her Isabel Toledo day dress is from none other than Toronto-based vintage costume jewellery maven Carole Tanenbaum, whose extensive collection is carried at fine boutiques (like Ikram) and high-end department stores across Canada and the United States.

Tanenbaum emailed me this morning to say that she was "thrilled to report" that Obama was wearing a paste Victorian brooch (Lincoln's era - nice touch) from the Carole Tanenbaum Vintage Collection. "How wonderful that the first lady would consider a piece of history rather than gemstone brand jewellery!!"
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/theampersand/a...

[Muttocracy]

66. that's really great about the jewelery! nt

[tblue37]

78. I read that her Inauguration coat was lined with Pashmina.

It's famously warm, but not bulky.

[cherish44]

63. She's a stunning woman

I loved her inauguration ball gown, she looked so elegant. I really think PURPLE is her color though

[Pirate Smile]

65. More

They look like your neighbors down the street.

[NYC_SKP]

67. Their inner qualities make them radiant.

new sig line pic:

[FrenchieCat]

68. Love it!

Good taste Name removed!

[Ilsa]

70. The cashmere cardigan under the Inaugural suit jacket was genius.

No wonder she didn't look like she was freezing.

I also had hoped she'd be wearing a brightly colored gown for the inaugural balls, but I thought her dress was lovely. It fit her properly, which is why it didn't make her look short-waisted, the way the oriental print dress does.

The striped suit looks great on her.

My least favorite is the oriental print dress. It makes her figure look too triangular, bottom-heavy.

The red dress she wore to meet with the Bushes looked great on her. Wonderful on her figure.

[smalll]

71. Michelle is an elegant woman with a great sense of style. Her only problem is, at times she lets

herself be commandeered by today's supposed "high fashion."

For example: her Inauguration day chartreuse ensemble was great. Elegant, figure-flattering, both formal and regal but also feminine.

But what did we read from the fashionistas? That it was too "matronly" (one of their favorite "bad words.") Matronly! Meaning, too old, too respectable. One of their favorite "bad words." But look, she was our new First Lady, appearing at the very ceremonial event called the Inauguration: isn't a certain "matronliness" (if we have to call it that) appropriate? But no, not for the fashion powers-that-be: to them, she had to be more avant-garde and/or slutty, no matter how inappropriate that would have been in the real world.

And Michelle's occasional mistakes come from taking advice from the seventh-avenue, Bryant Park tents powers-that-be: the "Black Widow spider" get-up on victory night; the cotton-ball dress at the Inaugural balls. They may praise her to the skies for such "up-to-the-minute" "avant-garde" designs, but I believe that Michelle has enough natural elegance and insight that it WON'T be too long before she starts saying no to such designer follies, and she will have the courage and the confidence to look as good as a First Lady should.

[FrenchieCat]

73. Which Fashionista are you frequenting?

I'm not sure as to when and how Michelle Obama has let "herself be commandeered by today's supposed "high fashion", like you put it?


I hadn't heard the fashion world call her Inauguration outfit matronly. I have only read great reviews. Could you link us to some of these comments you speak of?.... Just make sure these are folks that can actually be confirmed as being hot shit in terms of their fashion opinions. Thanks.

[tblue37]

77. My favorite:

I hated this one, though:

[Justitia]

79. I love that ring on her! I think she looks really great in purples, pinks & fuchsia.

Jewel tones too. I think she has a great sense of style.

Her style is very democratic, I could envision many women aspiring to dress similarly - so it's very pleasing to almost everyone.

[Hamlette]

80. I love it all and simply can't get enough of it! thanks for this thread

some I've never seen here.

It's odd how different we are from republicans. Have we ever had a GOP wife who dressed with as much style as Michelle or Jackie?

I even loved the green gloves and shoes, the were absolutely perfect for that outfit.

The election night dress was my least favorite but it shows she's willing to take risks. And I saw a pic of the dress, it looked much better without the sweater.

[bridgit]

82. Do horizontal stripes really 'work' on anyone?

[Raine]

83. I love that we have a First Lady who

is beautiful and stylish especially after the passed 8 years. It's been along time since we had a First Lady who was that stylish, really Jackie was the last one. Sure Hillary and Rosalind looked good but they just weren't really into fashion the way Michelle is. Fashion has always been something I've been interested in even as a little girl so I'm in heaven with Michelle as First Lady.

[psychopomp]

84. I remember Nancy Reagan gave the office of First Lady some glamour of a different sort

She was the Hollywood starlet who brought a bit of that larger-than-life star power to the office of First Lady. She wore a few really expensive dresses to these kinds of functions.

Great thread!

[Princess Turandot]

86. The ball gown looks quite different in your last row of photos of it..

and much nicer, I think because in the side view, perhaps because of the lighting, some color contrast between the crystals and the fabric show up. In the tv shots and the more commonly seen photos of the dress, the crystals and fabric all blend together and it appears that she is only wearing a series of white ruffles.

I loved the sand colored coat-dress ensemble with the olive gloves /shoes!

[calimary]

87. Okay so somebody tell me about THAT RING! The big round one with the center stone

that looks like a rough, uncut diamond.

YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMYYYYYYYYY!!!!!

Somebody tell me about that ring! Sigh... I may have to print out a picture of it and stick it up on my wall with some other fancy "wish pictures".

She looked glorious. She nearly always looks glorious - except for the black and red Election Night dress that I thought wasn't terribly flattering. Other than that - GLORIOUS! Her gown on Inauguration night - Heavenly! Made her look like a fairy princess. GORGEOUS. No wonder he looks at her that way. Its train in back gave her a little bit of hassle but hey, sorta goes with the territory. They have to fuss with trains on the red carpet on Oscar night, too. Just an occupational hazard there. She was supposed to be the Belle of the Ball, and she succeeded MAGNIFICENTLY.

We were all swooning over my way.

Also, I really like her choice of colors - different and original. Bright turquoise, magenta, purple, golden and mustard yellows, creams, and a little green thrown in - VERY original and new and fresh. Goes with her skin tone and sets her apart as a First Lady SHOULD be set apart. She's got a good eye for what flatters her and what figure points she should accentuate - like her nice legs, her fabulous upper arms, a beautiful collar bone, and no love handles - allows her to wear those form-fitting sheath dresses that hug her curves without any vulgarity or impropriety. I LOVED-LOVED-LOVED-LOVED-LOVED that camel-and-black tailored ensemble with the matching coat that she wore - I think - the day before the inauguration. FUCKING FABULOUS!!!!! I WANT THAT - it would be flattering on many of us! She's going to do WONDERS for the American fashion industry. Both big names and unknowns like the Chicago designers and boutique stuff she's already made famous. And as First Lady, she should. She should look great all the time and be a walking billboard for our designers and artists and accessorizers and jewelers. She should parade the idea of how hip, stylish, elegant, happening women in this country can look - whether they're at some big-ass state dinner or picking up their kids after school, or playing with the new dog whenever that happens. It'll make a HUGE difference in the fashion industry here. That's one place where there will be new jobs. Granted, not as many as we need across the country, but there'll be more. She has TREMENDOUS allure. American designers will gain from this - across the globe. Because EVERYBODY looks at the American First Lady. Ever since Jackie. EVERYBODY makes note of what the First Lady wears, how she's dressed, put together, styled, hair, shoes, gloves or no gloves, warm weather wear, white-tie wear, casual wear, business attire. She looks great in couture and off-the-rack/catalogue. She can and should go both ways. And J. Crew's gonna get a boost, too. They better start adding jobs!!!!!!!!

I think she just frickin' ROCKS!!! I LOVE this woman. Michelle Robinson Obama. Just Simply ROCKS!!! I LOVE her fashion choices and she hasn't always had the position or clout or budget wherein she'd have a stylist or personal shopper or some such, and she's developed that fashion sense on her own over a long time. And she just looks SMASHING!!! Women of America - THAT is your face to the world now. Not the matronly frump who wears the upholstery. Michelle Obama is your emissary and your representative. She's what says US.

I'm loving this - and her! I have yet to see her make a mis-step. I as a modified fashionista couldn't be more delighted!

[FrenchieCat]

88. Ooh...I love your exuberance! As far as the Bling-Bling is concerned.....

diamond jewelry: a diamond ring, diamond bangles and diamond drop earrings. All the pieces were designed by Loree Rodkin who is donating the Michelle "borrowed" pieces to the Smithsonian for their Exhibit.

Mrs. Obama was first introduced to the diamond jewelry brand through Chicago's premier luxury boutique Ikram, where she has been a longstanding client.

"It's a privilege to be a part of history. Today the country has new hope," stated Loree Rodkin. "The First Lady is a symbol of hope, courage and great style. I am honored that she has chosen my jewelry. Words cannot describe the emotions I feel that Michelle Obama has allowed me to be a part of this glorious moment."
http://www.jamesallen.com/news/DiamondFashion/michelle-...

More on the jewelry here: http://www.nationaljewelernetwork.com/njn/content_displ...

[calimary]

89. Thank You, FrenchieCat!

I like Loree Rodkin's stuff, myself. But that ring is OUT-frickin'-STANDING!!! Sigh...

And as they used to say about Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, Michelle Obama has the best and hottest accessory of all - that husband on her arm.

Sigh...

Shit - I'm just SO HAPPY about all this! I haven't stopped smiling since the weekend before the inauguration!


Another thing I like about Michelle Obama is how she's clearly sensitive about the height issue and its impact on others she meets - and is photographed with. Height is imposing and intimidating. It's a power thing. I've noticed with appreciation how many times she's worn low heels or flats in public - like the photos here show, when she's meeting and greeting. She knows how tall she is, how imposing and towering she is because of it. And she's obviously got a sense of how it plays with others - how and when to use it to her advantage and how and when to downplay it. That's the mark of someone who's thoughtful and VERY aware of how she impacts others - and what it can do to, or for, her husband. I really appreciate that about her. I've noticed it again and again. It's clearly not by accident, I'd say. It just means she's thoughtful and generous and considerate and sweet - and not completely self-involved like other politicians' wives are. Imagine Cindy McCain in one of her 300-thousand dollar outfits - especially in THIS recession. Granted that was mostly her earrings and not the yellow Oscar de la Renta she wore at the convention. But with her it's glaring and you know you wouldn't be able to escape it. With her you'd always be wondering how much that outfit was worth. Cindy McCain has spent far more of her life knowing her greatly-elevated "station" in life - as upper-class, aristocratic, moneyed, heiress, with multiple houses and a large staff of "the help." As an heiress, she's lived in privilege and comfort and breathed the rarified air all her life. And her station in life was as mistress of the house, the lady of the manor, the one who rules and manages those under her - from lesser stations in life. She knows her place (higher than yours) and dresses the part - and it's unspoken, but it's there. Not so much so for Michelle Obama, on the other hand, who is obviously interested in whether or not she makes YOU feel comfortable, and didn't live with so much of a contrasting status or positioning in her life.

Now, something has changed for her, of course. And you don't get much higher in status and social standing than the First Lady of the United States. I'd expect Michelle Obama would keep that in mind and continue showing that sensitivity to those around her.

And hers is a casual working-mom elegance, too. Much more accessible than the last "clothes horse," Nancy Reagan, was - older and brittle with no relationship with her own grandchildren, but we all knew what designer she wore and how teeny her sizes were.

[Jennicut]

90. Let's do some comparison, shall we

The First Ladies



The Second Ladies




Its obvious we have come far in just one election.

[FrenchieCat]

91. That's like comparing Cinderella to her stepmother!

Shouldn't be done. LOL!

[Jennicut]

92. LOl, I edited in Lynne Cheney and Jill Biden too. That is a major improvement.