How did you like the ball dress?

[CTyankee]

See the Daily Telegraph's take on Michelle's Inauguration Day and evening wear: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/fashionnews/4304967/...

[Indiana_Dem]

1. At first I didn't but closer up it was really pretty, especially on her.

I absolutely loved the outfit she wore for the inauguration, though! I'm going to have to find a similar one like that. I like the dress she is wearing today, too.

[Sebass1271]

5. picture of the dress she is wearing today? i am at work!!!

[rateyes]

31. here you go.

Now get back to work!

[Indiana_Dem]

37. Thanks! I didn't get back here in time to answer. nt

[Tinksrival]

23. Thread needs a pic

[jaxx]

25. That pic blows up great for the desktop.

Thanks!!!

[Coexist]

2. loved it - but the dress today is the best so far

I would wear that lovely thing she has on for the prayer service.

[Sebass1271]

3. LOVED

the dress. MIchelle looked elegant in that white one shoulder gown. I was alittle nervous because Michelle has made some missed wear decisions in the past, but when I saw her coming out at the neighborhood ball i was struk with awwwwww.. She looked absolutely sophisticated, classy and TALL!!!..

That dress was SIMPLE but elegant.

Michelle hit the ball out of the park with the white dress. I loved her lemon green day dress too.

[MineralMan]

4. Frankly, what the first lady wears

is of no real interest to me. The Presidency is not a fashion show, and whether or not the first lady's outfits please anyone is irrelevant. Can we not move on to substantive topics?

[Coexist]

that Hide Thread thing works...

it is of interest to me. That is why I posted on the thread.

[CTyankee]

12. Don't worry. I've got LOTS to say about substantive topics!

Funny, cuz I am NOT the fashionista type but I do think Michelle has a great sense of style.

See ya on the substantive topics debates!

[Patchuli]

69. Oh deal with it! We're excited

to have a First Lady who doesn't wear the drapes.

[AndyA]

6. I thought Michelle looked gorgeous, as she usually does.

The dress she wore during the daytime celebrations looked great on her, and I thought was very classy. But she must have been freezing! I know she's from Chicago, but outside for that long in those temps has got to be difficult for anyone, even when you're used to cold weather!

The gown last night wasn't so hot in my opinion. She looked very nice, but I think it would have been better without that strap, or if it had been balanced by two straps, but hey you can't please everyone every time, right?

She certainly looked better than the former First Lady ever did.

[malaise]

52. The woolen lemon grass outfit yesterday was lined

with cashmere.

[BattyDem]

7. She looked beautiful! It was a very elegant dress.

It was probably the wrong choice for all the dancing she had to do (she seemed to be having a bit of trouble with it), but it looked gorgeous! My only "petty" complaint: I think her hair should have been up.

[CTyankee]

14. I discussed the hair up/hair down thing with my dtr.

And I think you are right. Especially with those long, drop earrings. It would have been stunning.

[BattyDem]

19. The bare shoulders, the long earrings ...

having her hair up really would have been perfect... but she did look gorgeous. They both did!

[mwdem]

24. She probably didn't have time to put her hair up!

I loved the dress.

[BattyDem]

26. I know ... I can't believe the parade ran so late!

The poor woman probably had no time to even sit and relax for ten minutes.

[lovuian]

38. beautiful

She is Awesome

[trayfoot]

43. I totally agree with the hair UP!

[Kerrytravelers]

8. Loved it. Loved it. Loved it.

[polichick]

9. imo it was a beautiful dress and Michelle looked gorgeous.

[firedupdem]

10. I loved the dress. My initial reaction was it's pretty...but then on an

HD station, I was able to see it more clearly. Beautiful Dress! The designer was on Good Morning America. He's 26 and looks 12. He was as happy as can be!

[NYC_SKP]

11. She selected a relatively unknown designer.

And that rocks!

[pleah]

65. He couldn't believe she chose him.

It was on one of the show last night when I was still awake. He will be very big now.

[Fire1]

13. I liked the Inauguration ensemble better than the ball gown.

But what's up with rhinestones at high noon? Otherwise, it fit nicely and most appropriate. She was missing two accessories with that ball gown. Sheep and a staff. 'Bo Peep.'

[eowyn_of_rohan]

50. I agree , in part, on the rhinestones

I thought a single strand pearl choker would have complemented texture and color of the dress and coat better. The rhinestones, on TV, actually looked rather gray, which clashed with the pale yellow green. But, regarding the appropriateness of a few rhinestones during the day, maybe that's a just a stodgy old rule that can be broken - what do you think? Michelle has a real individual sense of style and it's FUN to see what she chooses to wear!

[Fire1]

75. These old rules could be broken. I guess there are no hard and

fast rules to fashion any longer. But, it's funny how most people still adhere to them. Like "no white after labor day" or 'no patton leather shoes after summer.' I stopped with that patton leather rule several years ago, since designers were selling them in winter. Still, I rarely see 'white' from designers after labor day. I do appreciate that she's using American designers. It's high time.

[TuxedoKat]

15. Interesting fact about the designer Jason Wu...

-- he got his start designing for dolls. When I first heard his name I was surprised as I knew of him from doll email groups. I didn't know he designed for humans too!

http://www.fashionroyalty.com/about_jason.html

[texastoast]

16. It was beautiful

but not a good dancing dress. She carried the dress as best anyone could, but Jill looked completely hot in that red dress. I would have like for Michelle to have worn something that was easier to dance in and to show off all those wonderful curves, of which I bet PRESIDENT BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA got to partake in private after the festivities, if body language speaks the truth.

[KittyWampus]

17. IMO, it was a disaster on TELEVISION but probably worked in person. TV doesn't show texture

and sculptural styles work best.

And my objective assessment of the design itself was it was nice. Not earthshattering or anything. Just, nice. The strap was too thick and should have tapered upwards or been removed.

I question why Michelle picked a gown with flowers on it for mid-winter. And also think all she needed was an orchid corsage to look like a 45 year old woman pretending she was going to Prom Night.

This might have been mitigated if the gown's fabric hadn't had those gauzy bits stuck all over it.

[Captain Hilts]

34. God! The tyranny of the orchid corsage that ruined so many outfits.

Eleanor Roosevelt was given so damned many, she got into the habit of removing the previous one, pinning it on a woman without a corsage, then pinning the new one on.

Boy - do they look stupid!

Women's evening wear is just full of pitfalls.

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

59. The dress did not come across the TV well, At all. It was good in Photos, which is good for the

history books. She needs someone helping her on the cinematic problems with some fabrics and finding the right cut and drapes to appear in.

And she has to stand Taller. Maybe she is abit shy, but she has to carry her frame better.

Michelle, put a book on your head, and Walk.

I mean this most sincerely.

[ninety lives]

18. She's gorgeous....

She can make even a dull outfit look good.

I think she would have looked great in color, a little less wedding-like.

[Warpy]

20. I wasn't nuts about it

The color was beautiful on her, but I found the cut rather clumsy and the asymmetry handled badly.

However, she does know what colors flatter her and won't be bullied into wearing those that don't.

My only complaint goes to the designer. The First Lady will look regal no matter what she wears with her height and attitude.

[Captain Hilts]

35. Why do we associate being 'regal' with height?

[Warpy]

39. I'm a shrimp, myself

so I resent it, too. However, there it is.

She is a very regal lady who doesn't try to hide her height. She'll look great in anything they put on her.

[oldtime dfl_er]

21. Today's dress

Simply gorgeous!


http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20090121/capt.e00c39...

[WillieW]

22. I think that the flowery summer dress was not my cup of tea to wear in church.

[fed_up_mother]

27. Most other women appear to be in suits. Her designer may be too young to have a sense of history

And the dress does look summery. I hope she gets another designer. He's hit a couple of home runs, but when he's off, he's way off, imo.

[marlakay]

28. I think she looks more comfortable in it than in the clothes

she has been wearing the last few days. Its more her style and I like it, but then I am not religious nor do I feel you have to dress all plain and matronly at church.

[Captain Hilts]

36. Laura Bush wore the Hillary black pants suit and Wayfarers to church. You'd ...

almost think that Hillary left all that stuff in the closet for her.

[annabanana]

56. In my Church it works quite well. . . n/t

[azmouse]

29. It was a lovely dress but not quite right for a church service.

But that being said, Michelle could wear a paper bag and look good.

[kwassa]

45. many women come to church in jeans.

or slacks.

Not much of a dress code in most churches.

[WillieW]

53. But the first lady?

[kwassa]

62. you know, people need to get over these bullshit fashion threads

Good taste is my taste, and the sooner you understand that, the happier you will be.

Basically, people are arguing over the inarguable; what makes a good-looking dress. Nobody will agree, but everyone will insist their taste is correct. She gets good reviews from the fashion press, just not here on DU.

and it is, at it's most basic level, unwarranted criticism of Michelle Obama over each individuals subjective taste.

[WillieW]

74. You are participating.. . I voiced my opinion, that's all.

I blame the young designer who dressed her - not Michelle. I love the lady. He probably also got her the red/black dress that she wore during Obama's acceptance night. I still can't figure that dress out. In my opinion, It was an odd-looking dress.
When you are the first lady, people will check your style. She dressed better before she became the first lady - that says a lot as to who is dressing her. The black/white dress she wore on the VIEW appearance, was perfect. A lot of women went out shopping for it. First ladies usually set fashion trends, but I doubt if anyone will copy the black/red disaster.

[fed_up_mother]

46. That dress would have been great at just about any church function

And probably overdressed at many. However, this is D.C., a quasi government function, and it's cold. I think it would have been safe to assume most women were going to be in suits.

[Sebass1271]

32. this is what strikes me about michelle and that is why

i was a bit nervous yesterday (and relieved) to see she had chosen the right dress for the ball, but michelle sometimes doesn't know how to select her clothing or whomever is advising needs to step up.. what the hell what this dress she is wearing today for the prayer is about? This flowery dress was not appropriate for the occasion. It is not SPRING or SUMMER, for her to be wearing these strong colors especially those bold designs on the dress.

EVeryone looks professionally dressed and Michelle looks like she is going to a picnic!!..

Michelle, i love you girl, but please, i know you want to look down to earth and stuff, but please, step up!!

[oldtime dfl_er]

40. I totally disagree

Today's dress was beautiful. It was predominantly black, with some wisteria and other Asian art motifs on it. It was NOT all summery and light the way some people are describing it. It fit her well (better, I thought, than last night's gown) and made her look great. I'm so glad Michelle is bringing back the dress for professional women.

[sandnsea]

60. Exactly - why any woman praises the damn suit

is beyond me. They've always been hideous.

[WillieW]

77. Totally agree here. That back/red dress was a disaster IMO

that she wore during Obama's acceptance was a dress that I still can not figure out. She should find someone else to dress her than a young 26 year old. Before she became first lady, she dressed perfect. The dress she wore on the View appearance was great. Lots of women went shopping for it. But that black/red dress was just odd. First ladies set fashion trends, but not with that number.

[Political Heretic]

30. I love anything she puts on. :)

[Captain Hilts]

33. Here's a 'heads up' Hello! Magazine always has the best summaries of these things. nt

[cynatnite]

41. I wasn't sure if I liked it, but as the evening wore on, I got to liking it a lot n/t

[lanlady]

42. not sure about the single shoulder strap

Would have been nicer I think with no straps or two off-shoulder straps. And the fabric with its little puff balls took some getting used to. Even so, it was beautiful and she looked gorgeous.

[Karenina]

54. Didn't mind the cut, the puff balls challenged me too.

[notadmblnd]

44. I didn't. There was too much material, it was too long, the strap looked like an after

thought and when she turned around it made her butt look huge. Michelle is a beautiful woman, she should have worn something that was draped or more from fitting.
I guess I watch too much Project Runway?

[mtnester]

49. The strap REALLY looked like an afterthought

especially from the back

and by Ball #3, the dress was pissing her off...she and everyone else kept stepping on it.....she got the same quick actions I get when trying to adjust clothing inconspicuously when irritated with said clothing

It would have been better if shorter, and no distracting strap

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

63. "especially from the back"

It was not evenly sewn in, in the back. I don't know much about interior dress construction, but it needed more in this area.

Princess Di's dresses were constructed from the inside out, foundation first. I don't see Michelle going that uber expensive route, but some thought to this should be done.

[underpants]

47. My wife loved it

and she knows about that sort of thing

[SteelPenguin]

48. It looked like a cake

She pulled it off of course, but I still thought it looked like a big white wedding cake. (we're talking about the one from the Neighborhood Ball right?)

[WillieW]

76. She and Obama looked like bride and groom.

She in that white gown and Obama in black suit and white bow tie.

[marions ghost]

51. Fair enough question

because so many people in this country are programmed to respond to images. And images do have messages. Remember Darth Cheney in the dog sledding gear at the memorial service for Holocaust victims over in Europe?

OK here's what I thought--loved the lemongrass outfit (and also the bold tones of the girls' clothes) for the inaugural. Michelle can wear striking clothes well. Wished she had carried that boldness into the evening gown instead of looking like a Scarlett O'Hara doll.

But maybe that was the point--to look traditional and sweet and not to upstage her husband. It was certainly a huge contrast to the outfit on election day, which I thought was dynamic tho others likened it to a black widow spider). Maybe the point is she dresses to match her moods and isn't too concerned about those who try to put her into a box.

Her style looks like it will be "eclectic." Y'know I don't think fashion is really Michelle's thing. I think she's a nerd at heart, like Hillary Clinton. But her stature and inner beauty will carry her through --no matter what they drape her in.

One thing I don't like--the way American women will NOT wear hats...even when it's below freezing. It just looks silly to me, like they are afraid of losing the "youthful" look of billowing hair. To me it looks like they aren't in touch with outside temperatures and emerge from overheated interiors only when they are forced to rush from one container to another.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

58. Yes, more people should have worn hats in the cold.

Men and women both.

Obama and Biden should have worn the morning coat (black tailcoat with pearl gray waistcoat and black top hat, like JFK did in 1961.

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

64. I was hoping the guys would wear Top Hats. Loved Aretha's hat, Kennedy's, and even Cheney's Fedora.

crazy for hats here.

[sandnsea]

61. She loves fashion

She is a girly girl. That's why she'll wear exactly what she wants, with no regard to tradition or fads, unless she wants to regard tradition and fads, like she did with the white dress last night.

[deaniac21]

55. I don't like dresses.

[xchrom]

57. too much fabric at the empire line to the top of the hip.

made her look thick -- i don't why the designer did that.

the colour was great -- loved the one strap thingy -- didn't love the flowers w/ swarovski crystals.

[4 t 4]

66. I Loved it

and she looked great, she is so cut. I also Loved, Loved her daytime get up. First of all it was Chartruese a very fifties color and a color I have in my house and LOVE. The only thing I felt bad about is that that dress didn't follow her properly. Oh well a new designer and she was so cool about it. She made no bones about the fact it was not following her like it should. A couple of times she made a face like help me the dress needs help and the President took it all in stride. I love them both. Sorry for the few out there that are sick of the love-Get over it. I was not here for Kennedy but I've heard of the love And that EVERYONE was crying that day he was shot, right-EVERYONE well in my life this is my Kennedy

[Missy Vixen]

67. I loved it

Then again, I think she looks gorgeous, no matter what she has on.

She's tall, confident and beautiful. She wears the clothes. They don't wear her.

Julie

[Waiting For Everyman]

68. It was awful but she still looked good - no credit to the dress.

Frou frou isn't her style.

Before someone tells me that I'm not a pro, yes that's true... I may not be the editor of Vogue but I did take fashion design at a reputable art college. And I've been thinking about fashion and was constructing designs of my own a whole lot longer than this designer has been breathing.

[SharonAnn]

70. Doesn't anyone remember how many mistakes Princess Diana made at first?

Especially with "frou-frou" type things? That includes her wedding dress.

After she really understood visuals and her style, her wardrobe was "her" and it was usually fabulous.

In some ways, Michelle is something like her. Tall and strong in her physical presence when she wants to be. Probably classic lines, good fabrics that reproduce well on television and film, and vibrant colors will work for her. It does take some who knows how things "appear" in film and television to provide their input. For most of us, we don't have to worry about that.

And last night's dress may have looked gorgeous in person but when I first saw it I said "bad choice for TV" because of the appliques. Also, the cut and lines of the dress didn't flatter her as much as they could have. There are ways to ensure that lines are slim and flattering but it does take great skill as a designer to learn how to do that. This designer is young and I'm sure he'll figure it out in time.

[Waiting For Everyman]

72. Michelle does great almost always,

and I'm sure she'll improve even more as time goes on. I'm not condemning the designer - just saying he isn't experienced enough and this particular dress was a bomb. It happens. Actually, there was a thread here just after the election, wondering about what she'd wear for the balls, and most of the suggestions were exactly right. Too bad Michelle didn't see it.

But it was nice of her to try to advance a new designer. Just not "the right" design.

I love Michelle and I think she has great taste, but this thread asked about this one dress and that's what I think of it.

You make all good points.

The only thing I'd disagree on is Princess Di's wedding dress. I loved it. It was "her" at that age, and was awesome at the time. On somebody else? somewhere else? in another time? No. That was a one person, one time dress - that was the point of it.

[marions ghost]

73. good point

Diana and Michelle comparison, yes I get it. Michelle's fashion choices will be judged as Diana's were because they both are such pivotal public figures. Hopefully Michelle will go beyond being a fashion trend setter eventually, as Diana did.

[WillieW]

78. Diana oh, that wedding dress was about opulence, wealth and different fashion trends in those days

[Balbus]

71. She reminds me of John Lithgow's character in...

The World According to Garp.