First lady's sometimes surprising outfits convey vitality of the occasion
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President Barack Obama dances with first lady Michelle Obama at the Commander in Chief Ball at the National Building Museum in Washington, yesterday.
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WASHINGTON -- At noon, she sparkled in daisy yellow -- or was it gold? -- while after dark, she was flirty in a cream one-shoulder gown that showed off her most famous feature, those strong shoulders and fabulously toned bare arms.
While Michelle Obama's inauguration wardrobe wasn't universally adored (and what first lady's fashion choices ever are?) it did convey a sense of youth and optimism, not to mention change -- from the predictably patriotic red and blue favored by first ladies in the past.
After all, couldn't we all use a little sunny yellow these days?
Still, the fashion critics were anything but unanimous in their approval of Mrs. Obama's inaugural ball gown, by the very young, oh-so-hot designer Jason Wu, first unveiled to the nation at around 8:30 last night, when the first lady and her husband, President Barack Obama, took a spin around the dance floor at the Neighborhood Ball.
"I'm surprised. I'm not loving it," said Mandi Norwood, author of the upcoming book "Michelle Style" (to be published by Harper Collins in April), of Mrs. Obama's inaugural gown. "It's too fussy and frilly. It's very pretty, very typical Jason Wu -- except on steroids. I'm actually a fan of his, and this is a very pretty, Park Avenue-socialite look with a twist. But I was imagining something a little bolder and sleeker."
Indeed, "there's something about white and appliques that just screams 'bridal' to me," added Cynthia Nellis, of About.com's Guide to Women's Fashion. "Of course she's tall and elegant and never looks really bad in anything, but I wish she would have gone with something red or electric blue or anything a little less frou frou."
Mrs. Obama got better reviews, overall, for her noontime ensemble, a dress and matching overcoat by Cuban-American designer Isabel Toledo. Made of satin-backed Swiss wool "guipure" lace -- an expensive fabric used in couture -- it was dotted with tiny mirrors that gave the fabric a subtle shimmer. More interestingly, the coat was tied with a lime green chiffon bow and -- in a bow to Mrs. Obama's preference for mixing high and low fashion, accessorized with olive green gloves from J. Crew.
Only problem: When the chiffon bow came untied and the coat fell open, "she looked a bit broad," Ms. Norwood added delicately.
Still, "I'm so happy she chose yellow because it's such an optimistic color," said Ms. Nellis. "Plus I'm happy to know that someone can actually wear that color well. I would look dead in it."
Ms. Toledo is hugely respected in the fashion world, recipient last year of the prestigious Artistry in Fashion Award by the Couture Council, known for her impeccable detailing and luxurious fabrics.
For young designer Tori Mistick, the addition of a rhinestone necklace gave Mrs. Obama's day dress a vintage feel, and the choice of olive green gloves and shoes made it chic without being overly "matchy-matchy," she said.
"Nothing about this look was harsh, every detail made the first lady appear at ease, comfortable and approachable."
If nothing else, the first lady's choices yesterday augur well for young fashion stars of diverse backgrounds. Ms. Toledo didn't even know until yesterday morning that her dress had been chosen, calling the news "a great shock."
When Jacqueline Kennedy appeared in white satin at her husband's inaugural ball, it became an instant classic, an iconic image of Camelot. Will yesterday's dresses do the same for this first lady -- and the young Obama administration?
"Some people were predicting really rich, jewel tones, and that's not what we got last night," said Erica Hill, a fashion commentator on CNN. The inaugural gown, at least, "is not a home run and whether it's remembered 50 years from now is not at all clear."
First Published January 21, 2009 12:00 am
