The dress of the decade is finally revealed and it's a winter white confection by young designer Jason Wu. The one-shoulder chiffon dress is embellished with feminine appliques (saw lots of that on the spring runway). It's a lovely dress, but IMHO doesn't look anything like Michelle Obama. This is not what I expected her to wear; I thought she'd opt for a jewel tone or bright with a strong silhouette. Instead she chose this ruched-bodice design. Even though it's not my favorite look on her (by far the camel and black Narciso Rodriguez was my favorite), she's so elegant that it eclipses the dress. What do you think? (Photo Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Michelle Obama Inaugural Gown: One-Shoulder Jason Wu
By Cynthia Nellis, About.com GuideJanuary 20, 2009
The dress of the decade is finally revealed and it's a winter white confection by young designer Jason Wu. The one-shoulder chiffon dress is embellished with feminine appliques (saw lots of that on the spring runway). It's a lovely dress, but IMHO doesn't look anything like Michelle Obama. This is not what I expected her to wear; I thought she'd opt for a jewel tone or bright with a strong silhouette. Instead she chose this ruched-bodice design. Even though it's not my favorite look on her (by far the camel and black Narciso Rodriguez was my favorite), she's so elegant that it eclipses the dress. What do you think? (Photo Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)Explore Women's Fashion
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I don’t care much for that dress – a little too 1977 prom – but I swear, that woman could wear a garbage bag and still look better than I do in my fanciest outfit.
The dress has no elegance, and Michelle moves awkwardly in it. She slouches too much, as if overly aware of her height.
Really didn’t care for it. I thought a color other than white would have looked nicer. It just reminded me of an old white chenille bedspread I used to have on my bed.
I thought the gown was absolutely horrid. It looked like she went to the window and tore down the curtains, stapled them together, wrapped them around her, brushed off her hands and said, there–that’s done! Seriously, the fabric was too limp and wimpy, the color looked faded, and the cut and proportions were both wrong. But, most of all, it was a sweetly naive gown, suitable for a 17 year old (not that you’d catch them in it) but not nearly sophisticated enough for a First Lady.
I, too, thought the only wonderful outfit was the tan and black suit.
The yellow suit reminded me of those adds where they made ball gowns out of carpet. It was too stiff, too busy, and way too matronly. Michelle Obama is a beautiful woman whose fine figure should be flattered by her clothing, not insulted by it.
And doesn’t Mr. Obama look wonderful in his formal wear?
I thought First Lady Michelle looked amazing. She ROCKED that dress. There is a picture of her walking down the stairs and President Obama is holding her hand looking at her. She looked beautiful. She looked like royalty. She looked like the first lady of the future. I think you guys are stuck back in the pass. The dress was right for her.
I loved Mrs.Obama day dress. The day dress was very nice for the event– and the bright color made me smile every time i saw her. Haaa– haa. I agree with the previous commenter that that Mrs./Dr. Biden looked like she was going off to college. She looked nice on top if one did not look at those black boots.
Both ladies looked stunning in their evening gowns! And I was very touched by Mrs. Obama’s choice in designers! it just seemed like she had problems dancing in the white dress?!
As for the husbands, their attires did not look good on day time, but looked amazing in the evening too.
Plain and simple it looked awkward and frumpy and like a bag o rags to me…I really thought she’d have gone with something much more elegant. Oh well, we all have our bad days right?
how silly for the designer to put a train on a dress the First Lady was supposed to dance in! honestly, it was so tacky that she had to keep grabbing at her backside! also, the little thingies all over look like tissues. the style is nice, but a deep color and no sticky-on things would be better.
Micheles gown looked like a chenille bedspread..it was horrible!Her hair should have been combed…the whole vision was not that of a first lady! She really should update her looks and find a style that suits her. She is not a small woman and that white dress made her look quite heavy! What kind of fashion diva is she supposed to be? Looks like she shops at Kmart (when they have the bluelight special!)
The gown was not flattering nor elegant. It/she didn’t exude any sophistication. There are so many elegant, rich colors and more becoming styles to choose from & to flatter her figure. Futhermore, she & the president weren’t coordinated for the evening balls. The daytime dress was hideous in every way. It looked like a ’70′s mother-of-the-bride outfit. The color of the outfit & shoes were atrocious. Shouldn’t she have picked colors that suited her? I can’t believe that for these important events,she apparently didn’t work with experienced fashion experts. Or did she??
Michelle Obama is beautiful, and hopefully she will get some much needed fashion assistance as first lady. The evening gown she wore did not look like her style at all! I think all she needs is help in refining her already unique sense of fashion.
I generally like what Michelle wears but not the white gown. I think she looks great in jewel tones, stonger tones and also in a more form fitting type of siloutte. Still, she wasn’t the problem- I just don’t think this dress is that pretty . To me it looked like a Project Runway looser and yes, she had trouble walking and dancing in it. Wonder what her other choices wear. And not worried about her…, she’ll hit it out of the park most of the time.
I agree with Desdemona, Michele needs to stand up straight. Her posture is atrocious and always has been. The 70′s prom gown was hideous and seemed to accent her stooped shoulder posture.
When you can pick any dress from any designer you want, why would you select such an unattractive dress? A color, any color, would have been nice. The dress looked ragged and the fit made her waist look thick. I’m so disappointed. thankfully, Jill Biden looked like a woman.
The description of the gown looking like a chenille bedspread is accurate. I really didn’t like that gown. It wasn’t flattering on her, and it made her look very thick in the waist. I think the other comments about it not looking age-appropriate are correct. I thought she’d be in something more sleek and sophisticated. She still looked very pretty despite the dress.
I thought her other outfits during the day were nice, although I thought the cardigans must have been for warmth because they certainly weren’t for style. She has a nice figure and is tall, so she has an advantage over us “shorties”. I think she has a fashion sense and it will be refined as time goes on.
The white gown was optimally unflattering. A gown’s first responsibility is to flatter its wearer. This gown made Michelle look awkward and frumpy.
I hold the designer responsible. Michelle is not the fashion expert; the designer is.
I thought the dress looked like a chenille bedspread – she also moved awkwardly/clumsily in it. Not at all flattering.
I thought herinauguration dress was her trying to mimic Jackie Kennedy’s style – not even close… Also too dressy for a morning affair.
Just my opinion.
To Whom this Concerns,
To emblish the height of Mrs. Obama, First
Lady as dress in winter white or ivory satin with an off the shoulder and plain top and
knife pleats from the waist down would of looked a bit more pleasing to the eye.
The train was not needed at all it made
her look like a bride, and for dancing it
was lucky she didn’t break an ankle.
I thought both the yellow dress/jacket combo and the white gown did nothing to enhance Michelle’s figure. I heard Jason Wu say he created the dress based on her measurements and didn’t actually fit it to her. He should have. The waistline of the dress should have been raised or lowered (see J-Lo’s white gown). It made Michelle look very thick in the waist and hips. It looked like something I’d see at David’s Bridal…the sale rack. I admire Michelle and hope she finds a designer who works with her body type.
The white ball gown was even worse than Princess Diana’s wedding dress. The gold dress was too cocktail-party-outfit for the daytime occasion. Then there was that dress that made her look like a black widow spider! Other times, she looks great.
I personally think, the dress did nothing for her. It did not show off her figure nicely at all. Plus if u r going to have a train on the dress, at least have a loop that it can be tyed up or held on the wrist. I really thought she was going to have a more stunning dress on, and was disappointed she did not!
This dress did nothing for Michelle’s body, other than prove that she can wear the colour well. She could chosen something so much better.
I liked the dress, not loved, but let’s just look at what her arms did for the dress, homegirl’s upperbody has got it going on. Can you say “toned?”
Michelle is a beautiful woman but needs to carry her shoulders straight(in other words,not slouch)
The yellow dress was way too busy for the event and tend to agree that it was more like a mother of the bride collection.
The evening gown was too childish.It looked weird.But again it’s the designer fault and not hers.
Didn’t LOVE it. She pulled it off but I expected something more sophisticated or glamorous rather than cute or pretty. I think she looks better in color. Love the camel and black suit best, also.
Michelle Obama should not be in stle like this it was not her at all. It was awful looking.
Michelle Obama can get away with almost any style, but this was pushing it. It looked like a soft bedspread wrap-around. Sorry, it was unflattering and inappropriate for the occasion and the first lady.
I find for such an elegant woman, the design do nothing for her. I have to agree, looked like a wrapped blanket. In short..I did not like the dress. Moreover, while dancing with the President, she kept having to move it out of the way. Can see that it was a young designer because he was clueless to details.
This dress was horrible. It looked like it was made of toilet paper. I don’t understand why she picked up white to wear in the winter. Call it modern? I think she looke very unclassy. America is being blind about this woman style, physical appearance and class. It is like Obama’s fans don’t want to see the thruth about this woman. Wake up and start looking with very open eyes.
Obama didn’t look that good either. He walks like a basketball player. I don’t see the class in these people.
Wow! I thought it was just me! The black widow spider dress was shocking to start off with and unbelievable! The Yellow/Gold attire was very Un First Lady like and then to top that off with the dull white evening gown was an insult to her. It looked as if she made it herself (in a hurry) for a teenage prom. The camel and black suit dress was sophisticated and classy and she did look nice in that ensemble.She felt good in that,too, you could tell by the way she carried herself.
For the evening dress I expected a sleek fitted shantung-like or slubbed silk with a fitted bodice and jacket and a beautiful flowing skirt. The dress she chose for the prayer service the next day, appeared to be an unflattering every day street dress. It should have shown more class and style. Give her time. I have a feeling Michelle will get it all together.
ARE U KIDDING ME? she’s NOT classy & basically have no taste, like many famous people with no inherent elegance: the inauguration ball was RIDICULOUS, exposing the armas and huge shoulders of an over 40′s woman, sorry NO, the one shouldre looked held up by a safety pin, looked like it costed 50 dollars IF THAT, her dress the next day for prayer and Open White House HORRID, a rag like a cheap curtain, black and white MESS!made her look,like we say in Southamerica a Pachamama with huge feet in flat shoes size 10 and her slouching and stomach sticking out OH MY GOD & Obama walks like a pimp daddy and dances and walkes like OJ Simpson,not good! And Jamie Fox said “oh you could see he was black by the way he danced” GAWD please! these black celebrities will see gold where is just copper
because of the race card..GET over people! Obama was voted in office by white people so you can be humble and kind but instead you’re gloating and RUDE(Jay-Z,Latifa,etc etc)enjoy your “triumph” but it won’t happen again next time, which we’ll ensure no spoil brat cocky celebrities fawning around,(hear about Mariah Carey? she also sounded terrible in her live rendition of Hero WHAT was that?)oh what a ridiculous group!Kids singing to Obama in schools a la Hitler or North Korea PLEASE let it be over soon,long 4 years ahead it won’t b 8 i bet you all you want,this man has gotten away with way too much scandalous material!
Michele’s white inaugura ball gown was not my first choice for her. However, I admire exactly what she is trying to accomplish. Here is a first lady willing to bring up a newcomer of color in the fashion world. She is classy and smart to have done that. I believe she wasn’t crazy about that dress either but wanted to make a statement. I like her courage to step outside the box. She is strong, confident and willing to stand up for innovation. As women we should do more of that. For those of you who are saying that she was not first lady like, I say, she is re-defining what a first lady is all about. She has her own style and knows it. Let’s support a first lady who is unafraid to give up and coming talent a try!!!! BTW I liked her yellow outfit.
I must agree with the majority of comments Michelle Obama has made huge mistakes in the outfits she has worn, though I won’t fault her completely. The inaugural ball gown was atrocious…looked like a chenille bedspread indeed. I expected something with elegance and sophistication and was so disappointed to see her walk out in THAT. Her movements that night were so awkward and she looked so stiff, and she looked so tired; her makeup wasn’t good at all.
As for the swearing in ceremony outfit, I must say that it looked like a throwback to the 1970′s mother of the bride apparel. It was not appropriate for day wear.
Hopefully, she’ll hire someone with better taste and expertise that will re-make her image and refine her appearance. She should take some lessons on how to walk into a room with poise and not with such bowed legs and that “howdy pardner” swagger. A First Lady should be more dignified. She has 4 years to work on things, thank heavens.
I am incredibly shocked at how vitriolic and personal the comments about Michelle Obama have been. I feel a lot of people commenting have no idea what the word style means. She MAY have made a fashion mistake but big deal,either make constructive suggestions or GET OVER IT and please stop being so nasty.
She slouches too much. She should starting wearing a wig-hat like other African-American girls do. Her teeth seem bucked, too.
She slouches too much. Why doesn’t she starting wearing a wig-hat like all the other African-American girls do. Looks like her teeth are bucked??!
Michelle Obama IS the most beautiful First Lady to date, bar none! I LOVE her! She is classy and a class act. She will do good for our country unlike the other First Ladies who only promote things they are selfishly interested in. Michelle is gorgeous to me! I love her so much and know now why she is going to be the best first lady we will ever have in the USA…go Michelle. Some of us out here have your back. Don’t listen to all the naysayers who don’t know nothing! You are a proud lady, so don’t hold back giving it back to those who ridicule you for the way you want to be. Keep the show going, girl! We love you so much here in Cleveland. Hope to meet you in person one day.
Love & Kisses!
Michelle wore a cocktail dress to the inauguration
and an almost teenage gown to the ball, she needs style advise NOW!
Cover those legs and disguise that backside. And while you’re at it get that lower jaw fixed it’s not that big a deal it you want to be a Jackie it takes dedication! start now and who knows you might start looking better.
i thought that the dress was a little to pretty. it was nice but a little to big for her
Sorry to say but the First Lady(?) looked dreadful in her inauguration day gettup. She resembled to me, a super sized jar of watered down mustard, with the pea green gloves resembling two olives afloat in it! Aaarrgghh! Her blue green shoes were misfits all around and those heels suit her NOT as she lumbers along without any grace whatsoever. And what was it with the overkill, sorry, tacky looking necklace thingy? And then there is her hair…oh please! They say she has a full time hair “stylist?” Say what? Best she just dump that dude or dudette! The inaugural gown was just cheezy, no gloves, no bag and a silly awkward train to deal with. Please I need to go lie down. Just the vision of her and the horrid clothing is enough to bring on a severe case of the chills. It is quite obvious that she has nothing at all to do with her husband’s attire because he ALWAYS looks simply perfect. The big question remains – What did he see in the big SHE in the first place? Perhaps if she were softer and kinder and less angry on the inside, it might show through a little but it is not happening. No, not ever. KLONK.
Michelle Obama is the epitome of gracefulness. To all of the women who have written negative comments and crticize Michelle harshly, get a life. Haters…jealousy is a cruel.
That wrap dress just looked amazing on her. Her hair & makeup was perfect & the evening was just spectacular.