Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Inauguration Dress Sense
Posted by Dan Savage on Tue, Jan 20, 2009 at 8:19 AM
Have to say that I'm not loving the dress—seems a little Bob Mackie.
The yellow wool Toledo ensemble reflects Mrs. Obama’s love of color, and though it has more sparkle than people might expect for something as somber and dignified as a presidential swearing-in, it expresses very well her flair, and it will likely be remembered. In other words, as they say in fashion, it makes a statement.
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2
She looks great, yellow is happy and upbeat, positive, she seems v. proud of America right now...her color choices have always been great.
People carped at her acceptance speech dress, too, the red and the black. Just like Sandinista colors, strong, positive, assertive, she dresses great. She departs from the traditional women's type wear enough but not too much. Slightly urban, not within the fairly narrow bandwith you'd see at a tradit. country club dinner, thank god. It is a welcome change.
People carped at her acceptance speech dress, too, the red and the black. Just like Sandinista colors, strong, positive, assertive, she dresses great. She departs from the traditional women's type wear enough but not too much. Slightly urban, not within the fairly narrow bandwith you'd see at a tradit. country club dinner, thank god. It is a welcome change.
3
Eh, it looks a little better in the sunlight at least.
Hello from Table 8! Thank you for hosting this; I came down from Vancouver just for this. Got in on the train last night, leaving on the 1:15 bus to get back to work. But so glad to be here.
I wonder what other Slog regulars/semi-regulars are here...
Hello from Table 8! Thank you for hosting this; I came down from Vancouver just for this. Got in on the train last night, leaving on the 1:15 bus to get back to work. But so glad to be here.
I wonder what other Slog regulars/semi-regulars are here...
4
When I was getting up this morning, and heard "gold dress", I too was worried. After all, that red dress on election night (It was election night, wasn't it?) was very odd.
But I like this dress. Classy. Love the matching coat. How nice to have a pretty first lady.
I know that's a sexist thing to say. I don't care.
But I like this dress. Classy. Love the matching coat. How nice to have a pretty first lady.
I know that's a sexist thing to say. I don't care.
7
Dan, you know nothing of what you speak. The dress is perfect. The gloves even more so. And as Rick Warren speaks, let me say that I will be looking for a pair of green gloves just like that to wear.
12
Yes, she looks tasteful, but...The dress has too much texture in the fabric, and the intense green of her shoes is a bit jarring.
16
Oh, dear, # 6 -- Here's a message from the Fasion Police: Get a life! Sorry you are so overwhelmed by political correctness and schadenfreude that you are unable to appreciate the beauty, style and class of our new First Lady. Also sorry you can't understand that we, the people, LIKE to have something to admire and look up to. (Actually, people everywhere like to look up to their leaders -- and I'll bet you don't bat an eyelash when your favorite cheesy Hollywood "stars" wear great clothes. ) Your attitudes about "rich people wearing expensive clothes" kind of went out with the French Revolution. It's NOT ok to wear jeans to the inauguration, nor would we want our President to look like some old pol from Soviet days in a cheap, ill-fitting suit. Did you think our new First Lady should have been wearing some little cheapo frock from Target today? Actually, she does wear Gap and Banana Republic and is able to infuse moderately priced clothes with her style and panache. But would you know the difference between price and style? And you, #12, who I actually think are not, like #6, beyond fashion help, please get your nose out of the Talbot's catalog and take a moment to appreciate how Michelle has tossed off the bonds of country-club mediocrity and anonymity (cf. Laura Bush -- her clothes are expensive but BORING) to wear something a little different, very elegant, and totally modern. Matchy-matchy is OUT (would yellow gloves and shoes have been better? YUCK. Main point -- Michelle Obama is the most beautiful and stylish First Lady we've had since Jackie Kennedy. Let's appreciate her and the way in which she can couple her style with brains and character to keep the eyes of the world on what a modern American woman can be. And watch for something like that gorgeous outfit coming soon to Banana Republic, H&M or Zara. Then #6 can look good too without getting his/her knickers in a tightly wrapped political knot.
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17
Generally, dark-skinned people look better in shades of yellow than people who are lighter-skinned (the same is true with orange). Yellow is hard to work with, but in this case the color brings out the nice texture of the Swiss wool lace. Not a great, Audrey Hepburnesque-Givenchy dress, but a perfectly appropriate one.
19
The green gloves were J Crew according to the NY Times. So run off and stimulate that economy!
Green of gloves totally didn't match green of shoes in the picture I saw. And yeah, dress had too much texture for me too. Still, Michelle is awesome.
Green of gloves totally didn't match green of shoes in the picture I saw. And yeah, dress had too much texture for me too. Still, Michelle is awesome.
20
Is this the place to comment on the *relationship*?
Laura tried occasionally to at least touch George - but he didn't seem interested.
Whereas Barack and Michelle were holding hands at every opportunity!
I was impressed.
Laura tried occasionally to at least touch George - but he didn't seem interested.
Whereas Barack and Michelle were holding hands at every opportunity!
I was impressed.
21
The idea that purse, gloves and shoes must match is out-moded. It was considered horribly middle class and de-mode' even in the 50's. If you are going to criticize fashion at least learn the parameters.
The yellow in the dress actually played well with the green of the shoes and gloves.
The yellow in the dress actually played well with the green of the shoes and gloves.
22
Oh, Dan. Her dress is amazing. The gloves match the shoes, too. Fabulous! I love it! But then I'm happy about everything today. She could've worn a flour sack and I would've been happy!
And I'm full of champagne! God bless America!
And I'm full of champagne! God bless America!
23
A lovely dress, worn beautifully by our new first lady. Funny no one is carping about her expensive wardrobe full of designer dresses. (Remember the hubbub over Sarah Palin's wardrobe costs? ) Sad that Americans can't just be classy about all of our political figures, instead of showing such disrespect and immaturity toward the office of the president of the United States of America. I am encouraged by our new president and what he can do for our country, but sick of the Bush bashing - not what we need to be participating in.
25
The Palin wardrobe bashing was a bit inappropriate, I agree (so sexist to harp on a woman's wardrobe when many overlooked the fact that she's a scary fundamentalist). But yeah, Michelle Obama's Toledo dress — fabulous.
I don't know who wrote the rules about suits for inaugurations, jewelry for soirees and class for cocktail, mustard (color) on hot dogs. Stupid rules for people who are loss without "norms". Get a personality people! Thank god (Jesus, Issa, Yeshua, Allah? ... damnit can't satisfy everyone, let's just say supernatural deity) Michelle has one!
I don't know who wrote the rules about suits for inaugurations, jewelry for soirees and class for cocktail, mustard (color) on hot dogs. Stupid rules for people who are loss without "norms". Get a personality people! Thank god (Jesus, Issa, Yeshua, Allah? ... damnit can't satisfy everyone, let's just say supernatural deity) Michelle has one!
26
to "you're not as smart...":
I think it's also worth mentioning that the Obama's DIDN'T have a lot of money until Obama sold his first book. They both went to school partly on scholarship and were still paying off student loans and living pretty modestly up til that point. So, it's not like they're trust-fund babies who've never struggled and feel entitled to all that shit -- they earned it.
I think it's also worth mentioning that the Obama's DIDN'T have a lot of money until Obama sold his first book. They both went to school partly on scholarship and were still paying off student loans and living pretty modestly up til that point. So, it's not like they're trust-fund babies who've never struggled and feel entitled to all that shit -- they earned it.
28
Dan, you're on crack. The dress and coat are gorgeous. The sumptuously textured gold says sunshine, beauty, wealth and prosperity: it is a blessing for our nation's future. And the green gloves coordinate beautifully.
29
I think the dress is the least important thing in all this. USA is living a historical moment.I am from Cuba and I am very happy because you Americans have voted by a man who seems to be honest and intelligent.That is all that matters. I hope he can loosen the tensions with my homeland and other countries in the world. Besides all that, Michelle looked beautifull... Good luck !!!
30
Michelle was the only lady on the podium who was over-dressed. Very unfortunate choice. There is more to style than making a loud statement.
31
She looks great. The dress is the color of the sun. She's married to the sun god. All you who don't like the dress are married to the cracker god.
Hey Dan, aren't you the guy who showed up to present the Stranger Genius awards in a faded t-shirt? Oh. Wait. That's right - you're a gay man. You intrinsically know fashion. My bad.
Hey Dan, aren't you the guy who showed up to present the Stranger Genius awards in a faded t-shirt? Oh. Wait. That's right - you're a gay man. You intrinsically know fashion. My bad.
32
Rhinestones at 11 AM? I cringed when I first saw it, and it didn't get any better. I love her, but wish she had worn something more dignified.
33
· I LOVE THAT THE FIRST LADY IS GIVING LESSER KNOWN DESIGNERS A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY , MY FIRST QUESTION IS HOW DO I GET SOMETHING TO HER ? I AM A TALENTED DESIGNER ALSO ,CAN ANYONE OUT THERE HELP ME ? i WANT TO PUT IT IN HER HAND NOT TO BE PLACED ON A DESK SOMEWHERE ?
WHO ARE HER STYLIST ?, I THOUGHT SHE DIDNT HAVE ONE? HELP PLEASE !
· LASTLY, I DO THINK SHE IS MAKING A STATEMENT NOT TO BOX HER IN AS SHE HAS HER OWN MIND & TASTE, WHICH I FIND VERY REFRESHING !
WHO ARE HER STYLIST ?, I THOUGHT SHE DIDNT HAVE ONE? HELP PLEASE !
· LASTLY, I DO THINK SHE IS MAKING A STATEMENT NOT TO BOX HER IN AS SHE HAS HER OWN MIND & TASTE, WHICH I FIND VERY REFRESHING !
34
the necklace was too much for morning. maybe also too much in general as the dress& coat sparkle. other than that she looked great.
35
I'm not a fashion expert, but I could't disagree more with most of these comments. I love Barrack and Michelle but whereas he has a real sense of style and wears his clothes well, she seems awkward to me and looks very uncomfortable in her clothes. She's a smart, talented, accomplished and assertive woman but she's certainly not a fashion model - and I hope that, if she wants to wear designer clothes and call attention to herself, she will seek the advice and coaching of someone who can help her move and react a little more gracefully. (Did you see the photo of her sticking her chin and mouth out while they were dancing?)
About her Inaugural outfits - I saw two - the gold dress and coat and the white ball gown - both, I thought, had way too much texture, which is not flattering on her and both made her look too muscular and bulky, more like a soccer player, than a First Lady. She needs a consultant.
My opinion, only,
Lynn
About her Inaugural outfits - I saw two - the gold dress and coat and the white ball gown - both, I thought, had way too much texture, which is not flattering on her and both made her look too muscular and bulky, more like a soccer player, than a First Lady. She needs a consultant.
My opinion, only,
Lynn
36
i am much happier with a role model who is not attempting to look the way anyone else thinks she should look, needing to conform to the fashion model template, and the like. michelle obama looks like her own lovely self, something more rare than beauty. if she likes herself in bright yellow swiss wool lace, and feels free to wear it for that reason, what a statement for .... what else? FREEDOM. she may be a bit awkward in her new role and its particular physical performance aspects, but right now that's a sweet testimony to her straightforward character, and she'll learn. or not, if she doesn't choose to. if any awkwardness continues, i'll take it as a sign that she finds MANY things more worthy of her attention than her physical performance, and that she has confidence in her own genuine warmth to ingratiate herself with world leaders as well as military moms, and feels no need to become a model of visual perfection. again... FREEDOM.
and let's not forget: women who make history rarely resemble their era's standard of beauty.
furthermore: if she looks good enough for him, i would think that would be good enough for the rest of us!
and let's not forget: women who make history rarely resemble their era's standard of beauty.
furthermore: if she looks good enough for him, i would think that would be good enough for the rest of us!
37
#35
I think it's a hoot to say someone looks more like a soccer player than a First Lady! What do First Ladies look like, hm? The Stepford Wives? What do most women look like at 45. In the things that matter she's batting 1000%.
I think it's a hoot to say someone looks more like a soccer player than a First Lady! What do First Ladies look like, hm? The Stepford Wives? What do most women look like at 45. In the things that matter she's batting 1000%.
38
#35
I think it's a hoot to say someone looks more like a soccer player than a First Lady! What do First Ladies look like, hm? The Stepford Wives? What do most women look like at 45? In the things that matter she's batting 1000%.
I think it's a hoot to say someone looks more like a soccer player than a First Lady! What do First Ladies look like, hm? The Stepford Wives? What do most women look like at 45? In the things that matter she's batting 1000%.
39
The best clothing that President and First Lady Obama wear is their love for each other, their children and their family. Whether they're wearing shorts and T-shirts or designer duds, they have always looked beautiful to me because of their obvious love for each other.
This is "family values" at its very best respresentation in this country that we have witnessed in a long time. The beauty of the Obama's is that they make everyone feel embraced by them with the grace and dignity that they embrace each other.
Come on people! Feel the love! Let go of prescribed expectations. This is a couple that "thinks out of the box". They are refreshing and this country is in need of them. I don't want "cookie cutter" Presidents and First Ladies.
This is "family values" at its very best respresentation in this country that we have witnessed in a long time. The beauty of the Obama's is that they make everyone feel embraced by them with the grace and dignity that they embrace each other.
Come on people! Feel the love! Let go of prescribed expectations. This is a couple that "thinks out of the box". They are refreshing and this country is in need of them. I don't want "cookie cutter" Presidents and First Ladies.
40
I felt that the dress and coat was not appropriate for the occasion. She stood out like a sore thumb. She is a beautiful lady but needs some help with what to wear. She did not seem to feel comfortable in what she chose to wear. I love the gloves and shoes but not with this outfit.
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