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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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 OPINION 
10

First Lady's Fashion Reveals Bold Spirit

Fashionistas applaud Michelle Obama's choice of inaugural outfits

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(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.

Michelle's many-layered, one-shouldered gown for the inaugural balls, from another up-and-coming designer, may not have been as sophisticated as the inaugural outfit but it still made a bold statement, writes Horyn. "(Jason) Wu's dress bares Obama's arms and shoulders and brings the first lady into the modern era, in which glamour is defined by Hollywood and the red carpet rather than protocol and tradition," writes Robin Givhan in the Washington Post. The adventurous choice of outfits shows the first lady is "not afraid to express herself with fashion," Horyn adds, "and it is the kind of confidence that many women will recognize in themselves."

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama dance at the Commander in Chief Inaugural Ball at the National Building Museum in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama dance at the Commander in Chief Inaugural Ball at the National Building Museum in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
President Barack Obama walks down Pennsylvania Avenue with his wife Michelle Obama on their way to the White House in Washington Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.
President Barack Obama walks down Pennsylvania Avenue with his wife Michelle Obama on their way to the White House in Washington Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle walk on Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, during his inaugural parade..
President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle walk on Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, during his inaugural parade..   (AP Photo/Jae Hong)
First lady Michelle Obama, accompanied by daughter Sasha and Malia, gestures during the inaugural parade in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.
First lady Michelle Obama, accompanied by daughter Sasha and Malia, gestures during the inaugural parade in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Michelle Obama, left, and Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, arrive for the inauguration ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.
Michelle Obama, left, and Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, arrive for the inauguration ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.   (AP Photo/Jeff Christensen)
President Barack Obama, right, and first lady Michelle Obama wave as they arrive at the Western Ball in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009.
President Barack Obama, right, and first lady Michelle Obama wave as they arrive at the Western Ball in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009.   (AP Photo/Pablo Monsavais)
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Her clothes tell us that she has an adventurous spirit, as well as a sense of humor, and if some of these garments have almost an old-fashioned womanly quality, then they tell us that she is indeed not your average fashionista. - Cathy Horyn

Her coat and dress made her look exceptional—and vaguely regal. Her daughters, Malia in a grape-colored coat and black tights and Sasha in pale pink and tangerine, were like her little ladies-in-waiting. - Robin Givhan

I wanted to pick a very optimistic color, that had sunshine. I wanted her to feel charmed, and in that way would charm everybody else. - Isabel Toledo, designer of Michelle Obama's inaugural outfit

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10 comments
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YouAreWrong
Jan 21, 09 8:10 AM CST
WHAT A JOKE!!! Reply
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Caps
Jan 21, 09 9:17 AM CST
Sore loser.... Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
YouAreWrong
Jan 22, 09 8:41 AM CST
Get over yourself. I haven't lost anything.....
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Affy007
Jan 21, 09 9:19 AM CST
The Inauguration dress was just plain tacky, tacky, tacky. Reply
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alienvv
Jan 21, 09 9:31 AM CST
at first she looked as a chameleon, or a poisonous snake especially with the green gloves... then she was like a bride...and looking double with all this hanging things (supposedly flowers) .. She is a big girl and She would look a lot better in a sleek simple dress... Very poor taste so far...an attempt for boldness with negative result... But the media keeps buttering... Reply
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