Michelle Obama: Dressed for Success

When Barack Obama declared victory in the Democratic race this week, his wife was also drawing some attention, the New York Times reports. Sporting a $900 sleeveless purple number, Michelle Obama looked primed to be first lady—just not first hostess. “The purple dress, the legs that I have to believe were bare, all say, ‘I’m here to do business,’” one beauty expert said.

Mrs. Obama’s taste for gumball-sized pearls and streamlined faux-retro dresses evokes two unlikely first ladies: Jackie Kennedy and Barbara Bush. Like Barbara, Michelle uses humor to bring her husband down to earth, but it’s the Jacky O comparison she likely prefers. “A black Camelot moment is the right moment for the Obamas,” said one Vogue editor. (More Michelle Obama stories.)