Fast Lady Fashions: Flop or Fabulous?
Now that all the hoopla surrounding the election has subsided, I thought it only fitting that I comment on the next geo-political newsworthy subject: Michelle Obama’s much talked about fashion sense… or lack of it, depending on your partisan beliefs.
The general consensus is that the First Lady-elect will usher in a much-needed shot of style to the White House. Finally… no more boxy tweed blazers and dowdy pantsuits! Judging by the red-and-black confetti-print dress that Mrs. Obama introduced on election night in Chicago, fresh off the catwalk from Narciso Rodriguez’s Spring ’09 collection, she’ll clearly be the most refined First Lady to have entered the White House in the last decade (sorry, Hillary!). In fact, she might even be channeling a little Jackie Kennedy. C’mon… don’t tell me you haven’t noticed the pretty strands of pearls, ‘60’s-inspired shifts and sleek, shoulder-length flip?
But I digress… back to that dress! I think it was apropos for Mrs. Obama to don a dress by a well-regarded, but not-so-mainstream, American designer on election night. Plus, it flattered her toned figure and the bold red hue was a perfect power statement.
While I’m not particularly fond of scoop necks, I like how this style revealed a hint of skin without screaming sex kitten (a plunging V-neck like the original runway version pictured here would have been inappropriate). Those corset-like bands of black intersecting at the waist were a bit of an eyesore, but at least they cinched it in and broke up the speckled paint. No matter how cold the temps were in the Windy City that night, Mrs. Obama should have nixed the cropped black cardigan, which threw off the proportions of the dress altogether.
For not having a stylist, at least not yet, Mrs. Obama has certainly gained my vote… at least in the dress department! Michelle, if you happen to be reading this, I have something in mind for the inaugural ball.
In case you overlooked Michelle Obama during the campaign trail, here are some of her sartorial highlights and my take on them.
• Her wardrobe is down-to-earth. The First Lady-elect mixes frugal finds from places like J. Crew and H&M along with designer threads by Narciso and Thakoon. She also favors custom-made frocks by Chicago-based designer, Maria Pinto.
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During her recent TV appearance on the Tonight Show With Jay Leno, she donned this modest J. Crew cardigan ($90), tank ($100) and skirt ($148). Pretty fab, don’t you think?
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For The View, she wore this smashing White House/Black Market shift – a steal at only $148!
• She frequently accessorizes with ultra-wide belts (the ultimate waist-cincher) and over-sized brooches – the best way to spice-up an outfit.
• She favors prints and bold colors like purple, turquoise and red – the ultimate power shade.
• She’s sassy. For example, did you notice how the Obamas wore color-coordinated red and black outfits on election night? So chic!
Since we live in a democracy, I’d love for you to cast your vote for Michelle Obama’s Narciso Rodriguez dress. Was it a fashion statement or a fashion faux pas?
Filed: News & Views, Trends
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