Most of the time, people follow fashion. It seems that now, though, the designers are inspired by the next First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama. I’ve seen a surge in dresses, shifts and bare arms in the last few months. But is that really appropriate? Should Michelle Obama, the wife of our president-elect, be that casual? I love the fact that she dresses her age, unlike Laura Bush, who could be more creative in her dress. However, I’ve never seen Michelle wearing a jacket. As you know, I always profess that your jacket is your power piece. And when you are in a power position, you need to be consistent with your position and dress like the wife of the President.
Will Michelle’s style change when she moves to the White House? I hope so. She doesn’t need to wear a formal skirted suit every day but I hope she wears a skirted suit the day of the inauguration. The problem is that it’s usually very cold in Washington on January 20th and she will have to wear a killer coat. I wonder what she will choose for the Inauguration Ball. She’s known for wearing Narciso Rodriguez and I heard Diane Von Furstenberg had submitted some sketches—must be nice!
I believe Michelle needs to step it up a bit once she gets to the White House. She has to understand her place in history. Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton and Barbara Bush were not fashion icons but they dressed like first ladies, albeit old-fashioned. In the last two decades, Nancy Reagan was only First Lady who had style. Before that, we had Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy who was a fashion icon. She was only 1/8th French but was always a Francophile and studied at the Sorbonne. When she visited France with her husband, President John F. Kennedy, the French adopted her as theirs and Charles de Gaulle was fascinated by her. She was a fashion icon who set clothing trends followed by millions.
Speaking of the French, how will Michelle compare to France’s First Lady, Carla Bruni Sarkozy? Mrs. Sarkozy has already wowed us with impeccable taste, including a Dior grey wool coat and a “Jackie O”-style pillbox hat.
Many people compare the advent of the Obamas to the White House with the Kennedy Camelot years…and I for one can’t wait to see what happens! On a strictly style level, at least, I predict Michelle will be a fashion icon. The United States, if not the world, will look to her for inspiration.
But first, she needs to get that jacket…