Michelle on the Ellen DeGeneres Show

Yesterday morning First Lady Michelle Obama showed America her dance moves on Ellen. Mrs. Obama was joined on the show by Dr. Jill Biden. Although these two women have attended several events together, their appearance on Ellen, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, marked Michelle and Jill’s first joint interview. The two women used this opportunity on the show to speak out against bullying. (Watch the video below.)

For this event, Michelle chose to wear a pink sweater set and printed pencil skirt. She accessorized this ensemble with a gorgeous, gem ribbon necklace from Talbots, available here. In this outfit, Michelle is the absolute epitome of first lady style, high fashion, yet classy. She needs to stick with this look.

How do you think Michelle looks here?

Looking Lovely in Leather Boots

Michelle Obama (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Yesterday afternoon, First Lady Michelle Obama hosted the White House Garden Fall Harvest. For this event, she was joined by students from Tubman and Bancroft Elementary schools.

For this casual, outdoor occasion, Michelle dressed in a herringbone shirt from the Thakoon Winter 2010 Collection, slim-fitting black pants and a pair of gorgeous, Tory Burch Connell Chain-Trim Boots (see here).

This entire outfit looks incredible on Michelle. I, personally, wish I owned this look myself; however, my college student bank account cannot afford this expensive style. By far, my favorite part of his ensemble is Michelle’s leather boots. Although, as I have mentioned before (see article here), I find it quite humorous that Michele has chosen to never again wear fur, and has even been pictured in PETA adds, yet still wears leather. Is there something wrong with this picture? You be the judge.

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

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.

Maybe Not So Dashing in Donna?

Michelle Obama, Sarah Jessica Parker and Jill Biden (Stephen Chernin/AP Photo)

First Lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden both appeared at a fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee in New York City this evening. Before the event, Mrs. Obama attended a dinner hosted by designer Donna Karan, which might explain Michelle’s outfit of choice.

For this event Michelle Obama chose to wear a Donna Karan draped halter dress (see here) in a rich, charcoal color. Her hair was pinned up in a chic, pompadour bun, and she completed her look with a chunky necklace designed by Erickson Beamon (also the designer of many of Michelle’s chunky, statement belts). Dr. Biden also looks quite fashionable, wearing figure-flattering dress with cow neckline and accented with a brooch. Perhaps she has upped her look in order to compete with the iconic style of Michelle? We all know Michelle was the first to add the brooch to a simple frock.

Tropical Punch (Showroom Seven for Erickson Beamon)

I absolutely love this look on Jill Biden; she looks fabulous. I am also a fan of this teased bun on Michelle. However, no offense to Donna Karan, but this dress looks hideous on the first lady. I think this is one of those dresses that only look good on rail-thin models of the runway. It gathers in too many places on Michelle’s silhouette, making her appear larger than she actually is. On the other hand, I have always been a fan of the talented Erickson Beamon, and he has yet to let me down! I adore this overstated necklace, and love that Michelle wore her hair up to show it off.

How do you think these two women of D.C. look?

Obama Fashion on the Campaign Trail

President Obama and Michelle (Saul Loeb/Getty Images)

Yesterday afternoon, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hit the campaign trail together! The first couple traveled to Cleveland, Ohio to speak at a Democratic fundraiser, supporting Governor Strickland. After this event, the president and first lady headed to Columbus for a Democratic National Convention rally.

President Obama kept his usual, professional look, wearing slacks, button-down shirt and sport coat. However, he chose to go without a tie for this occasion. Michelle paired an inverted, lace top with blue trousers and ballet flats. What is interesting about this look? Well, we’ve actually seen this blouse on Michelle before, quite recently actually. Earlier in October, Mrs. Obama wore this top as she departed Camp David; however, last time, she wore the top the opposite direction. The first lady has a flip flop blouse that can be worn either way! I definitely prefer the lace in front.

Lady in Red

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.

Chic in Chicago

Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama at polls in Chicago (John Gress/Reuters)

First Lady Michelle Obama stayed in Chicago once again today, visiting the Early Voting Polling Place. She kept her appearance a bit more casual for this event, opting to wear a multi-print blouse paired with a blue cardigan and black trousers. Her waist was cinched in by a black, oversized belt.

This look definitely says “Michelle.” The oversized belt paired over a cardigan has been Mrs. Obama’s signature look since her time in the White House. I think pairing a belt and cardigan is a great idea! However, why does the cardigan always go under the belt? In my opinion, Michelle’s ensemble would have looked much more becoming if the belt was wrapped around her blouse and the cardigan was placed on top of these two pieces. As far as the belt goes, the term oversized does not seem to describe how huge this belt really is. It looks extremely uncomfortable, and is distracting to the eye; people will be looking at Michelle’s outfit instead of her.

What do you think about this look?

Michelle in Milwaukee

Before visiting her home city of Chicago on the campaign trail today, First Lady Michelle Obama first visited Milwaukee, Wisconsin. On her visit, she spoke at a campaign event supporting Senator Russ Feingold. Feingold will be running against Republican businessman Ron Johnson in the November elections. This trip marks Michelle’s first campaign trail in nearly two years.

Michelle Obama (Morry Gash/AP Photos)

For this event, Michelle wore a sleeveless, bright pink dress from Talbot’s. She then accessorized this look with a colorful St. Erasmus necklace.

Fabulous! This look is stunning. I am much more a fan of the first lady’s campaign attire than her everyday grub. First ladies should always care about their appearance, and I think Michelle should dress in the style every day. She needs to be aware that the paparazzi will constantly be taking photographs of her. She should not change her lifestyle for the paparazzi, but she could choose to dress more elegantly in her daily wear. It is looking like her husband will only be in office for one term, so in my opinion, she can deal with the style change for four years. Keep up the looks like this one, Michelle!

Fashion on the Campaign Trail

Earlier this afternoon, First Lady Michelle Obama started on her campaign trail. After speaking in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the first lady traveled to her home city of Chicago. In Chicago, she appeared at a campaign fundraiser supporting Alexi Giannoulias, United States Senate candidate. Giannoulias will be facing Republican Congressman Mark Kirk in the November elections for President Obama’s former Senate seat.

Michelle Obama speaks in Chicago (Jeff Haynes/Getty Images)

For this special occasion, back in her home town, Mrs. Obama kept her look simply classic and elegant, perfect for any first lady’s approach to style. She chose to wear a sleeveless, black dress with boat-neckline. Finishing off this ensemble, she added one of her signature pieces, an Alaia belt.

Thank you, Mrs. Obama! This outfit looks absolutely amazing. As Coco Chanel would say, “A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous!” And that you are, Michelle! Although I do not agree with Mrs. Obama’s politics, this look is outstanding. Mrs. Obama looks best in simple and chic ensembles.

A Glimpse Back at the Flawless Fashion of Nancy Reagan

Dresses of Nancy Reagan

It seems as though when most view the style of the first ladies, all the gossip jumps from Jackie to Michelle. When thoughts turn to Nancy Reagan, we reflect on her meek and demure persona, which captured the hearts of the American people. We love Nancy for her sturdy self-confidence and gentle caring ways, yet her undying flawless style has been casually overlooked throughout the years.

One of the most fashionable traits of Mrs. Reagan is the fact that she is not openly flamboyant with her style; it seems as though she does not even try to be glamorous. I doubt she stares into her closet deciding what to wear or wondering what vibe each outfit will exude. She simply walks into her closet, grabs what she wants to wear, and coincidentally each outfit she chooses is flawless.

Known for wearing her infamous “Reagan Red”, Nancy has a wardrobe which consists of complimentary predominant colors, with a style that is preppy and clean cut. She always portrays a look of being classically chic; her clothing worn during her time as first lady in the 1980’s is still fashionable today. In each of her garments, she looks comfortable, yet still remains perfectly graceful and elegant.

Nancy Reagan is a timeless beauty. She is not fashionable simply by her chic choices in clothing, but by her thoughts and outlook on style which coincide with her impeccable taste. For example, she was criticized for some of her clothing being so expensive, but she was so committed to her style that she wore the clothes regardless of their comments and later donated them to charity. Now, that is true style, confidence and fashion combined.