Skirting the Truth
US First Lady Michelle Obama joined Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, among others yesterday to unveil a statue of abolitionist and womens' rights activitst Sojourner Truth in the National Visitor Center yesterday. This upbeat occasion captures the essence of Mrs. Obama's style; she's in a striking shirtdress by young French designer Sophie Theallat. (The price of the dress, $2,000; no J. Crew this time.)And on her feet, black ballerinas!
A woman in a dress looks so much more current than a woman in a pantsuit. Look at her above, compared to the '80s pantsuit-twins, Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton. Mrs. Clinton wore an unusual, gorgeous tangerine shade that in fact would look better against Mrs. Obama's darker skin.
Here's a good look at Mrs Obama's frock; I can almost hear Hillary thinking, "Dang! Gotta get me a dress!"
Comments
The question of whether I should cover a part of myself that's not my favorite (i.e. my legs) is one hotly debated with my mother, especially as summer nears.
I've often read that elegant women know how to "play up/down" features that are their best/not so great". I think knowing which of your features is not your favorite is not the same as condemning it or disliking yourself. The nice thing about being older is having this kind of distance.
The picture also make me think about claims that stylists have been trying to "soften" Michelle's style, and I wonder if she might not often prefer to wear comfy pants suits like Hil. I've noticed Michelle's "tall girl slouch".
I'm open to the *idea* of a dress, certainly, but trying to find one a) with at least an elbow-length sleeve and b) that is cut for my short-waisted self (perferably princess seaming, no belt/tie) has proven to be an almost impossible quest.
Pseu: See what you mean. Perhaps an A-line dress with princess seams to play down her bust? She will still need some flare, if not volume at hem. But, gah! those pant suits are over (and I wore a TON of them!)
Do professional women in the US tend to wear overly loud colours, or is it to be more visible in mass media (kind of like da Queen)?
I don't see why trouser suits are necessarily more comfortable than a dress - Michelle's dresses don't usually look stiff or constricting.
Tights/pantyhose are much less uncomfortable than they were several decades ago because they now incorporate lycra.
Skirts can have movement and fullness through gores or other cutting techniques without being too voluminous for short women.
There is nothing to do about the fact that Ms Obama is younger and much, much taller than Clinton or Pelosi. She is even taller than Carla Bruni (Sarkozy) who was a professional model.
The colour preference is partly regional; women in the southern US and sunbelt wear more colour, partly because of the light and heat.
Leah: J Crew for Hillary, what a concept. Maybe she, not slim like Mrs Obama, has the same trouble I do with their clothes- I can only fit into the tops.
I saw that very dress when I was in NY this weekend, but in white. Needless to say, at that price, I didn't try it on. But I think a full skirt if balanced by a well-fitted top would look good on practically everyone. Very feminine. Maybe too feminine for the kind of political dogfights Nancy and Hil have to endure -- their job is much harder than Michelle's.
the other two are too "matchy , matchy poo poo" which is dated .
Sisty: Good point, she is not slim but a different body type. I recall when Mrs Clinton WAS First Lady, with (as you assert) the easier job, she wore those girlish velvet headbands and quite dull clothes.
And as for the "uniform" observation -- "uniforms" have always been de rigeur for men, so why not for women?
Of course, I'm telling myself to lighten up, because this is a fashion site after all, and we're having fun....and yes, Michelle does look fresher somehow, doesn't she? :)