Category Archives: Laura Bush

Laura Bush’s take on fashion in autobiography, Spoken from the Heart

Posted on November 12, 2010 | Leave a comment

Laura Bush (North Valley Magazine)

Early this morning, I finished reading Laura Bush’s new book, Spoken from the Heart. In this autobiography, Laura mainly discusses her experiences while growing up in Midland, Texas and her time spent in the White House. However, in a small portion of the text, she describes her thoughts on fashion.

Mrs. Bush states that it was hard for her to be in the eye of the fashion critics, because she never kept up with the trends. She did not wish to be seen as on the cutting edge of fashion, but rather, Laura wanted others to view her style as elegant. She also said that it was the Bush family’s budget, not the government’s expenses that had to purchase all of her dresses which she wore to the many events she and her husband, former President George W. Bush, attended.

The media always expected her to wear a designer brand, so she tried to recycle her wardrobe as much as possible. Laura even recollects on a time when the recycling of her wardrobe went too far. She once showed up to FOX to be interviewed by Chris Wallace, when she saw a photograph of herself on the wall of the news station in the exact same outfit at her previous interview with Wallace. She describes how she tried to cover this accident by exchanging shirts with her press secretary.

Laura BushI am glad that Laura Bush is honest in her biography and doesn’t try to cover up mistakes that she has made in her past, like so many political leaders seem to do in their books. She is not afraid to speak her mind, as well as have a laugh at herself every now and again. As I previously stated, Laura said she wanted her style to come across as elegant, and I must say that if this was her main goal in her fashion choices, mission accomplished.

What do you think about Laura Bush’s fashion sense?

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First Lady Red Dress Collection: it’s just “The Heart Truth”

Posted on October 20, 2010 | Leave a comment
The Heart Truth Red Dress Collection

The Heart Truth Red Dress Collection

Just today I discovered that the George Bush Presidential Library, located in my very own town of College Station, Texas, has opened a new exhibit. The Heart Truth Red Dress Collection and First Lady Red Dress Collection have been on display since October 1, 2010, and will continue through August 14, 2011.

Twelve celebrity red dresses will be on display in addition to first ladies’ gowns collected from thirteen presidential libraries. This first lady red dress collection was first initiated by former First Lady and The Heart Truth Founding Ambassador Laura Bush. However, for this exhibit at the George Bush Presidential Library, the First Lady Red Dress Collection has been expanded to present some very special dresses, rarely seen by the public, including a Jacqueline Kennedy gown.

The Heart Truth foundation was founded to give more information on heart disease, the single leading cause of death for American women. The red dress has now become a symbol of women’s awareness of this disease.

I cannot wait to go check out this exhibit! Luckily for me, I can easily ride my bike to the George Bush Library. What do you think? Is The Heart Truth dress collection worth a trip to College Station for you?

Click here to view a video for more information  about this cause and exhibit.

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Lady in Red

Posted on October 16, 2010 | Leave a comment

In first impressions, a women’s clothing can play a major role in describing her characteristics and how others subconsciously view her. First ladies have become known and partially defined by the garments they wear. Thanks to a long line of chic women of the White House, when one thinks of the first lady, they envision beauty, elegance, grace and charisma, all tied together with a string of knowledge.

Nancy Reagan (Wikipedia)

Throughout the centuries, the first ladies have had various different styles and fashion tastes which embodied each woman’s personality; one may have favored the trendy styles of bargain retailers, while another preferred the elegant fashions of French designers. Although each first lady had different fashion sense, one color can unify them all and almost even capture the essence of who the first lady is and should aspire to be – demure, yet bold in her beliefs and meek, yet self-confident. Only this one color can encompass Jackie Kennedy’s elegance, Nancy Reagan’s poise, the tender heart of Laura Bush, the spunk of Grace Coolidge and the engaging smile of Michelle Obama, the color red.

The vibrant color of red signifies confidence and passion, the two attributes by which first ladies are defined. When speaking on issues at hand, the first lady needs to be passionate; nothing gets done in the world unless there is someone passionate about doing it. In whatever she does, it is vital that the first lady be confident in herself and her husband, the president. Without having faith in the arrangements you are caring out, nothing will go according to plan. After all, if you do not have confidence in your own plans, why expect that anyone else will?

If you want to be seen as elegant and poised, confident and passionate, throw on your red dress.

Take the First Lady fashion quiz and test your knowledge of the First Ladies’ styles. How many can you answer right? Click HERE.

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Posted in Former First Ladies, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, Nancy Reagan

The Bush Sisters: Daughters of Fashion

Posted on October 10, 2010 | 1 comment
Barbara and Jenna Bush

Barbara (L) and Jenna Bush Hager (Getty Images)

It’s no surprise that the two former first daughters, Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Bush, no what is what in fashion. After having a mother with timeless fashion, like that of Laura Bush, these two girls were surrounded by chic elegance throughout their lives. Pictured above, the women are seen speaking at the 6th annual Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) on September 22nd. Each year, this meeting is held in New York City the same week as the United Nations General Assembly, so that most world leaders are already conveniently in the area and able to attend. The CGI, founded by former President Bill Clinton after his time in office, is a gathering of leaders in many fields, from politics to religion, to discuss global issues at hand.

The Bush Sisters

The Bush Sisters (Getty Images)

At this event the Bush women looked amazing in their fashion forward trends! Barbara Bush was dressed in a bright orange sleeveless sundress with white buttons down the front of the dress. She completed her more casual look with a pair of simple, ballet flats. On the other hand, Jenna Bush was a little more avant-garde with her ensemble. She wore a beige, sheath dress with inverted pleats at the neckline. The best part of Jenna’s ensemble is her knee-high, leather saddle boots. These riding boots are one of fall’s hottest trends. If you don’t own a pair of these boots yet, it’s time to go shopping!

Out of the two sisters, I prefer Jenna’s style over that of Barbara on this occasion. Whose outfit do you like best?

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Posted in Barbara Bush, Jenna Bush Hager, Laura Bush

Laura Bush: the woman in black

Posted on October 10, 2010 | Leave a comment

Laura Bush (Getty Images)

I absolutely love the style of former First Lady Laura Bush. Every outfit she chooses to wear is almost always classy and elegant. She embodies the true meaning of grace and sophistication. However, there is one downside to Laura Bush’s style; she almost never wears any colors outside of her normal red, white or pastel color hues

Nonetheless, she never ceases to surprise me! I recently found this picture of Laura Bush speaking at the 6th annual Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) on September 22, 2010 in New York City. Laura looks amazing in her dark black pant suit with small white pinstripes. The stark contrast between the suit and Mrs. Bush’s ivory face highlights her beautiful, fair complexion. And finally, Laura’s signature rouge lipstick color and white pearl earrings add that last bit of elegance, completing her refined look.

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Stylishly Chic vs. Classically Elegant

Posted on September 12, 2010 | Leave a comment

Yesterday afternoon, First Lady Michelle Obama joined Former First Lady Laura Bush in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania for ceremony honoring Flight 93 of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Along with the first ladies, many more were gathered around the sight to listen to Laura Bush speak and pay tribute to the 40 fallen heroes of United Airlines Flight 93 on the ninth anniversary of September 11, 2001. According to The Washington Post, this day was also the first time these two first ladies have shared a stage since the inauguration of President Obama; consequently, I do not find this as a surprise. (For more information from The Washington Post about this event, click here.)

Laura Bush was dressed in a natural-hued, tweed skirt suit with what seem to be this season’s most popular nude pumps. She accented this look with pearl earrings and her usual, bold red lips. Michelle, on the other hand, chose to wear a streamlined, blue silk shantung pant suit with the perfect, figure flattering seaming in a vertical line down her jacket, a look designed by Narciso Rodriguez. A small, diamond flower brooch at Mrs. Obama’s shoulder completed this ensemble.

I usually prefer the tastes of Laura over Michelle; however, on this occasion, I definitely think Mrs. Obama’s outfit is much more chic than that of Mrs. Bush. In my eyes, they both dressed appropriately for the occasion, but Michelle’s ensemble seems to outshine Laura’s outfit. Then again, how many people does she have dressing her again?

Which outfit do you like best?

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Posted in Former First Ladies, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama