Michelle Obama Style Predictions
by StyleList Staff (Subscribe to StyleList Staff's posts), Posted Nov 6th 2008 at 7:32PMMichelle Obama Inauguration Predictions
If expectations are high for Barack Obama, they're no less soaring for his wife -- at least in a sartorial sense. After two decades of Bush and Clinton women -- for whom style was not a sixth sense -- the inarguably fashionable and seemingly fearless Michelle Obama has trend-watchers in a frenzy. Tall and taut, with the broad shoulders and self-confidence to carry off whatever she wants, Obama has spent the past 21 months being compared to Jacqueline Kennedy. And, so far, Obama has acquitted herself well, showing off recession-friendly dresses from White House/ Black Market and pricey styles from edgy designers like Isabel Toledo, who she wore (left) last spring to a fundraiser with fashion industry heavyweights. What will she favor for the White House? StyleList takes a look at her past -- and offers some predictions for the future. And for those who think clothes don't matter, remember the words of JFK as he introduced his wildly popular wife at a 1961 State Dinner at Charles de Gaulle's presidential palace. "I am the man," Kennedy said, "who accompanied Jacqueline Kennedy to Paris."
Marcel Thomas, FilmMagic.com
She hasn't even gotten to the White House, but Michelle Obama has already done more than any fashion mag to make Thakoon a household name. The Thai-born designer's dresses were perfect for several major moments on the campaign trail, including (at left) the final night of the Democratic National Convention. At right, the rose-colored silk dress as it appeared on Thakoon's runway. Mrs. Obama seems to have made no changes to it -- except the addition of three her trademark pins to the neckline. (And for those who can't afford Thakoon's four-figure price tags, the designer debuts a more recession-friendly collection at Target in December.)
PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Image
No, we don't expect the new First Lady to parade her abs at the Easter egg roll. But with just a few strategically placed swaths of fabric, this delicate floral sheath by Thakoon could meet the needs of the most demanding East Wing schedule.
Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images
Back in 1982, when Nancy Reagan wore rhinestone-trimmed knickers to a dinner at the American Embassy in Paris, she was ridiculed across two continents. So it's no surprise that Michelle Obama decided to keep her thighs safely away from the runway version of Moschino's flowered silk shorts (right). What's a First Lady-wannabe to do? Moschino took the same gray-and-purple fabric and used it to bare Mrs. O's knee's in a more Donna Reed way -- a soft shirtwaist that made her look both comfortable and camera-ready for the debut of the Obama-Biden ticket in Springfield, Ill. last summer. Surely, Nancy would have approved.
Karl Prouse/Catwalking/Getty Images
This purple silk coat and carnival-striped dress from Moschino's spring collection strikes the perfect balance between the White House need to look sophisticated and Mrs. Obama's penchant to shake-it-up.
Catwalking/Getty Images
If fashion tells a story, Michelle Obama's fiery red confetti-printed dress conveyed every bit of her Election Night euphoria. True, the Narciso Rodriguez sheath, modified from the runway version at right, earned as many barbs as raves -- "Maybe it looked really awesome up close?" one fashion wag asked. But you won't find a trace of disappointment on Obama's face, which glowed as brightly as her $10,275 Loree Rodkin diamond earrings.
Joe Raedle, Getty Images
Narcisco Rodriguez's edgy black-and-white dress would be techy enough for the You Tube generation and graphic enough for those Dinosaur Age readers of print media.
Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images
Tall and toned, Mrs. Obama isn't afraid to experiment. She plays with color (usually favoring brights) and shape (usually body-hugging) -- and, just when you think you've figured out her fashion maxims, she veers in another direction. The cantaloupe-colored Moschino dress that she wore to her husband's acceptance of the Harold Washington Award this fall was a softer color and silhouette than her typical fare.
Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images
Hillary Clinton made front-page news in 1993, when she co-hosted the Governors' Dinner at the White House in Donna Karan's "cold-shoulder" dress, a dramatic long-sleeved black sheath with -- surpise! -- the shoulders cut out. We're not sure the world is ready for a First Lady in a cut-out torso, but with a bit of fabric in all the right places, Narciso Rodriguez's 'bondage" gown would be a fierce addition to Mrs. Obama's don't-mess-with-me repertoire.
Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images
Peter Soronen's fashions are fun, flirty, and fit for a woman confident enough to show off her curves. Small wonder he's earned red-carpet time from the likes of Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Hudson and Tina Fey. He's also added Michelle Obama to his roster. At left, her white delicately-patterned dress is adapted from Soronen's houndstooth check sheath.
Peter Soronen
Tags: barack obama, BarackObama, michelle obama, michelle obama style, MichelleObama, MichelleObamaStyle
need to stop this mess 11-07-2008 @ 12:07AM
THAT IS SO MEAN OF WHAT YOU SAID. WHAT IF SOMEONE SAY THAT ABOUT YOUR MOTHER YOU WOULDN'T LIKE THAT AT ALL. THIS IS MAKING ME MAD ABOUT ALL OF THIS PEOPLE STOP THIS MESS NOW.
Happy To Live In The USA!!! 11-06-2008 @ 11:56PM
I thought the dress was different. I didn't care for it, but hey...not everyone has to have the same taste. That is just a tad reason why we are lucky, and get to live in a great country that we do, and have choices! Besides, do you honestly think everyone likes everything YOU wear? Most likely not.
I didn't vote for Obama, because I am republican (born and raised in an Republican family), but that doesn't mean that we have to hate our new President! We need to pray for him that God will give him wisdom, and strength as he takes office and takes charge of our great nation so that he can take care of all of us.
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Leona 11-07-2008 @ 12:01AM
United We Stand Obama We Fall!!
Mrs. Hussains dress is black for her people and red for satan!
She was for sure sending us white folks a message..
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Jolie 11-06-2008 @ 11:55PM
The Varmit, I totally agree with you on Condoleza, and the many hundreds of thousand of beautiful women of color that are part of our culture in one way or the other and grace themselves with tasteful clothing and the latests fashions. If anyone does not want to admit that the red dress was a fiasco then so be it, but I would looooooooooooooove to hear Tyra Banks comment, a woman of color herself and a fashion icon, with regards to the dress chosen by the soon to be first lady on that night... Tyraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa where are you????????? (Michelle, you're going home)....
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CJ 11-07-2008 @ 12:01AM
I am really appalled at how much emphasis is placed on both Sarah and Michelle’s attire. No wonder women have such difficulty breaking the glass ceiling. If this continues, we will never reach levels that we want to in this country. Men don't spend this much time talking about how attractive they look or what they are wearing..
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CC2008 11-07-2008 @ 12:01AM
What was that saying....lipstick on a pig I believe...
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margaret 11-07-2008 @ 12:05AM
The black dress reminded me of the black widow. Black arms, legs with a red belly. Poisonous...Michelle usually dresses very nice...Not this time.
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angelo deluca 11-07-2008 @ 12:03AM
Saying that high class republicans were the only people to support Mccain is just plain stupid. What happens when you tax the higher class, they cut employees, ofter middle class employees. So to think that his tax increases on the higher class will not effect the entire country is just plain stupid. Everyone will pay for these tax increases. The economic crisis can not be solved by just taxing the shit out of the higher class. It simply needs to start with creating more job opportunities. Obama is simply not going to make that happen.
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virginia domingo 11-07-2008 @ 12:29AM
I totally agree with the first blogger. Not only Michelle Obama has bow leggs,her mouth protrudes like a monkey. She does not have the class of a Jakie Kennedy nor Cindy McCain. They are not a classy couple. They are blacks and radicals. I am not jealous or angry, that McCain lost,I am only speaking the truth. They are blacks, Obama is a Muslim no matter what you all say..He may have a white mother, but he still is a black with black gums and mouth. Obama never spoke the truth,he only won because all blacks voted forhim including homeless,exconvicts,etc. He had a lot ofmoney because his money was being donated by the Arabs,Iraniansn and whoever. The DNC and all can all go to he!!!!!
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janet cowan 11-07-2008 @ 12:03AM
I don't think we should be so focused on physical beauty anyway. It's nice, but it's not the most important thing. I didn't vote for Obama, but now that he's been elected I would hope that we can all receive him and his family graciously.
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Cooper 11-07-2008 @ 12:03AM
Who cares what she or Sarah Palin wears...what should be of concern are her published espousals of hate; scary to me...
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happydays 11-07-2008 @ 12:12AM
Hello! Michelle Obama does not need anyone to purchase her clothes for her. She resigned from a job paying over 250,000 per year to support her husband in this campaign. You racist people are jealous. She has a Law Degree, you haters only wish you were 1/2 the woman she is. What have you done to support your man that lead to greatness. Yeah, just like I thought....nothing! Michelle Obama has earned the right to wear what she wants and does not need your approval. Get a life.
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Daisy 11-07-2008 @ 12:08AM
I can't believe that the dress she wore on election night was an expensive dress. When she first came out, I thought she was wearing a red apron. Now, I don't know if she is bowlegged, I just see a tall woman that looks stiff and like she is going to fall on her behind. You normally see that in women that are not used to wearing dresses/skirts or high heels. Regardless, I don't think her fashion sense is one of her fortes. I find it insulting to compare her with Jackie Kennedy, a very classy woman.
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fhooch 11-07-2008 @ 12:06AM
She'll be wearing anything to hide her big butt! Her clothes are ugly. This was better than the flower house dress she wore to one of the debates. She does wear designer clothes. Even though they look like Walmart on her. She was tell Ellen about the designers she used on her show.
What she needs to do is stay out of the Waldorf Astoria in NYC and stop eating snacks worth 467.00. If she eats that much for a snack, watch out for what she shovels for a meal, which all ends up down south on her.
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pat 11-07-2008 @ 12:09AM
I love haters of winners, very very FLATTERING. Please continue.
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JO from TEXAS 11-07-2008 @ 12:21AM
I could not believe how tacky the dress was that Michelle Obama wore the night of her husband's election. I had several calls the next morning about it and have heard many negative comments since. Michelle Obama is an attractive African American woman and I hope will change her style of dress when she becomes the President's wife. As for Laura Bush, she is absolutely beautiful in everything she wears and has great taste.
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rita 11-07-2008 @ 12:08AM
I AM SICK OF ALL THIS TALK ABOUT ...OBAMA ....HE WON BECAUCE OF HIS... COLOR... NOT...FOR ANYTHING ELSE...YES ILL SAY IT AGAIN ......HE IS A MAN OF COLOR THATS WHY HE WON
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Antens1 11-07-2008 @ 12:09AM
I can't believe our country has come to something as laughable as this election. Obama is in office because he is black. That is the only reason. I have yet to meet one white, working person who voted or is happy he is in office. They were dancing on the streets in Kenya, Japan and China are happy he is in. I have a friend who is a broker, 5, yes 5, small businesses called him to sell their buisness, which they have had for years. What is this country doing to their own. The middle class will continue to watch the inner city, welfare recipients collect their checks and have more children to have everything for free, including their health care, which costs me and my family an arm and leg. the middle class working families continue to strive for more but continue to get less. We are what keeps america working and there will be a time when we have had enough. I don't want to spread my very small amount of wealth around, I cannot believe our wonderful USA has come down to this. It is time to move to Sweden!
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FL Voter 11-07-2008 @ 12:08AM
The dress Ms. Obama had on Tuesday night was a nightmare. I imagine when she saw herself on TV later she was asking herself "What was I thinking?" Unbelieveable someone would even suggest she is another Jackie Kennedy!
I also think Ms. Bush and Senator Clinton are very tasteful in their appearances unlike suggested in the above article. Really...
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Pris 11-07-2008 @ 12:08AM
Reading some of these comments really makes it clear why this country is in the horrible shape that it is in. People with this lack of intelligence have run it into the ground for the last eight years. Racism rears its ugly head again. I really wonder how they are even able to look themselves in the mirror their reflection has to be just as ugly to themselves as it is to the rest of us.
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