Yesterday, Jan 21, people were waiting with anticipation to see what Michelle Obama would be wearing as her husband was inaugurated for a second term. Not since Jackie Kennedy has the world looked to United State's first lady as a fashion icon. Michelle Obama is not just a brilliant and educated woman she also has her own sense of style that mixes young exciting designers with traditional outfitters such as Target and J. Crew.
All eyes were waiting to see what fashions would adorn the first lady on inauguration day 2013.
Blues and purples were the colors of the day as Michelle and her daughters made their appearances. Michelle Obama stepped out in style dressed by designer Thom Brown, known for his unique men's fashions. Thom Brown designed a navy colored checkered patterned silk coat and dress inspired by his menswear necktie designs. He wanted to dress her in an appropriate fashion to complement her husband.
Michelle added a pair of J. Crew pumps and wore a cardigan sweater by Reed Krakoff over her dress, under the lovely coat. Adding some sparkle after church, Michelle dressed the coat up with a belt by J. Crew and wowed the Fashionistas watching, replacing the pumps with custom Reed Krakoff boots as she walked down Pennsylvania Avenue with her husband. To coordinate with daughters Sasha and Malia, Michelle added purple leather J. Crew gloves to keep her hands warm.
The Obama girls chose beautiful off-the-rack fashions to make their own statements.
J. Crew seems to be a family favorite with Malia Obama looking fashionable in her purple J. Crew coat. A burgundy scarf and tights completed her look. A blue dress was quietly seen peeking behind the coat. Sasha chose shades of purple as well dressing in a Kate Spade coat and dress.
Michelle Obama wowed viewers with her ball gown as the lady in red!
Perhaps the most anticipated moment was what will Michelle choose to wear to the evenings balls. She stepped onto stage breaking her color theme of the day in a beautiful red gown designed by Jason Wu, shocking the designer by choosing his design over all others for another inaugural gown. Whereas Wu's gown for the first Inauguration Ball was a whitish cream color that billowed invoking a more ethereal feeling, this time around the beautiful red gown flowed with layers with velvet below and chiffon on top making a statement of both sophistication and softness. Of course Michelle's beautiful arms were showcased. The president joked of how he was wearing the same tux that he wore for his first Inauguration Ball.
Michelle Obama made sleeveless and feminine attire acceptable.
Initially the conservatives were shocked as the first lady showed up to business events showing off her arms in sleeveless dresses. It is now the norm as we view female newscasters dressed in attractive fashion baring their arms where before they would be covering up with a suit jacket. TV shows have followed suit dressing female characters practicing law in a sleeveless dress.
The first lady modernized the cardigan.
Before Michelle Obama, the sweater cardigan was thought of as something to fling over the shoulder on a casual outings or an old ladies sweater choice or cute for a young girl. With her belted sweater Michelle brought the cardigan into this century as a very fashionable and versatile piece of clothing. Instead of a jacket many business woman can be seen wearing belted sweaters in the workplace.
Mrs. Obama opened eyes to mixing and matching to make a unique fashion statement.
Michelle does not tie herself to one designer as other first ladies have. Instead she appreciates young designers wearing their designs and adding a bit of her own magic with a favorite belt or sweater.
Accessorizing has been made fun and affordable following in Michelle Obama's footsteps.
Accessories do not need to be expensive. Michelle Obama loves J. Crew, H & M. and Target proudly wearing her finds even when she has the choice of any expensive designer fashions to choose from.
The First Lady has given women and society a female to look up to.
Along with her efforts to stop childhood obesity and encourage the importance of education Michelle has also proved herself as a loving mother for women to want to emulate. Through her caring and efforts she continues to impress the importance of living a healthier lifestyle.
Michelle Obama has proved to be a wonderful role model for the nation's women, teaching females that they should own their look and express who they are while also continuing to better themselves. She impresses upon all to always hold heads up high and to look chic at the same time.
Own your style and never be afraid to dance!
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