Hot on Facebook

Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

For Political Wives, It's All in the Dress

McCain, Obama make statements with style

By Michael Foreman, Newser User

Posted Sep 6, 2008 3:14 PM CDT

(Newser) – First lady fashions are more than trivial concerns: Their choices reflect on presidential campaigns and hold the power to spark new trends, writes Robin Givhan in the Washington Post. Cindy McCain "has endorsed the status quo" by turning to White House veteran Oscar de la Renta, while Michelle Obama "has shown her willingness to embrace a new generation of designers."

First lady fashion "is a troublesome combination of hostess, national Madonna and champion of some wholly uncontroversial cause," writes Givhan—but rather than play it safe, candidates' wives should shake up the industry. "With such a strong generation of new designers swaggering forth in New York over the coming week, it's disheartening to see such a lack of imagination."

[Images (5)]

[Quotes (1)]

Cindy McCain waves during her speech at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Sept. 4, 2008. (AP Photo)

Michelle Obama speaks during the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Aug. 25, 2008. (AP Photo, file)

Oscar de la Renta backstage before a New York show, Sept. 10, 2007. De la Renta designed inaugural gowns for both Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush. (AP Photo, file)

Cindy McCain, wife of Republican presidential candidate Sen., John McCain, R-AZ., walks onto the stage at the start of a campaign rally Friday afternoon, Sept. 5, 2008 in Sterling Heights, MI. (AP Photo)

Cindy McCain, wife of Republican presidential candidate John McCain, speaks at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008. (AP Photo)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

As a country, we remain predisposed to assessing the attire of women with an eye toward meaning and revelation. Some might say it is sexist to do so. They are wrong. - Robin Givhan, The Washington Post

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Michelle's $540 Sneaks Fall Flat

(NEWSER) - It was bound to happen one day: a misstep by Michelle Obama. She fell for a pair of $540 designer sneakers and trotted them out last week at a food bank, no less. Bad move, says the Guardian. Mrs. I'm-all-about-J. Crew should have ditched the colorful suede Lanvin sneaks and opted for Converse, writes Emma Sibbles. "All the celebrities know they're the hipsters' shortcut to looking cool," she points out. And most importantly for the image-conscious Obamas, they're inexpensive. More»

Michelle's Killing Us: Top US Designers

The big names want to get their threads on the First Fashion Plate

(NEWSER) - Michelle Obama's sartorial picks have now been hailed the world over, but America's elite designers are grumbling about being snubbed, reports the Telegraph. The first lady has debuted the work of several young designers, both American and foreign, on her European trip—a choice that hasn't sat well with the Vera Wangs and Donna Karans back home. More»

Official Portrait of Michelle: Gun Show

First Lady's first formal photo highlights famous arms

(NEWSER) - The White House released the first official portrait of Michelle Obama today, People reports, and it calls attention to her most famous accessory. No, not the Kennedy-esque double strand of pearls—her rock-solid arms. In the photo, snapped in the Blue Room, the first lady also sports a sleek black sheath designed by Michael Kors, according to the New York Post. More»

Michelle Breaks Out Killer Accessories: Her Arms

Once again, first lady opts for a summery look in winter

(NEWSER) - Washington is freezing cold, but last night Michelle Obama strode into Congress wearing a sleeveless dress, her bare arms on display. It's hardly the first time recently she's gone sleeveless, notes Jodi Kantor of the New York Times: from a photo op in the White House kitchen to the cover of Vogue, the first lady has made her guns a key accessory. More»

First Lady's Fashion Reveals Bold Spirit

Fashionistas applaud Michelle Obama's choice of inaugural outfits

(NEWSER) - Michelle Obama's striking fashion choices make her the most glamorous first lady America has seen in a while, Cathy Horyn writes in the New York Times. Her vivid, Isabel Toledo-designed inaugural outfit stood out against the sea of red and black coats on the Capitol steps, Horyn writes, outshone only by Aretha Franklin's spectacular crystal-studded hat. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

For Political Wives, It's All in the Dress