Michelle Obama Inaugural Ball Dress Pictures (Jason Wu Gown)
As Whoopi Goldberg would say, “Michelle, you in danger, girl–” because Methinks the fashionistas are going to rip you to shreds after they get a load of this inaugural ball gown come Wednesday morning.
First Lady Michelle Obama chose a white chiffon one-shoulder gown, created by 26-year-old Tawainese designer Jason Wu, to wear to ten official balls celebrating the inauguration of her husband, President Barack Obama.
During Tuesday night’s Neighborhood Ball at the Washington Convention Center, President Obama, said: “First of all, how good-looking is my wife?”
Mrs. Obama is a beauty, Mr. President. Unfortunately, this full-skirted dress, complete with sparkly beading, isn’t nearly as pretty she is.
Some of you might disagree.
Per tradition, the dress will be donated to Washington’s Smithsonian Museum’s long-running collection on memorable First Lady fashions.
Now let’s talk about this dress! What did you think of Mrs. Obama’s Inaugural Night Gown? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
Written by Castina on January 20th, 2009 | Tagged as: Barack Obama,Fashion,Michelle Obama
On January 20th 2009, Blogger Tia Walker wrote:
Hey!
Pipe down..he dress was BEAUTIFUL it was tasteful in every way and a perfect complement to Michelle Obama’s particular figure. Full skirted dress? It’s a GOWN and it looked like it should on a nearly 6′ft. tall woman. Fashion blogger you are not, thank God…I am!
On January 20th 2009, brmcrobb wrote:
Michelle Obama looked stunning in her ball gown and she suited the style. She is very elegant and beautiful. Somone who is 6 ft tall can carry any style with beauty and grace. The Obamas are a very attractive and compimentary couple.
On January 20th 2009, MQ wrote:
What a poor choice in dresses! She couldn't dance in it – so it didn't work at all. She looked awkward when she couldn't move around. Obama looks like a great dancer, but she limited him to looking like he was dancing with his great grandmother.
On January 20th 2009, Tracy wrote:
It's awful! It looks like she's been wrapped toilet paper…that shoulder strap really sends it over the edge, like a bad prom dress…
On January 20th 2009, CJ wrote:
I think that she is stunning. It is great to have such a good looking first family again.
On January 20th 2009, Boomqueen79 wrote:
Gorgeous, stunning, edgy, youthful, refined- good job, though I agree- all the conservatives hoping for some sateen sheath are going to tear her apart!
On January 20th 2009, bobbynorwich wrote:
Michelle missed it on this one — gathered, ruched, white material made her otherwise well-proportioned body look heavy next to her slim dark-suited husband. From a distance it looked prom-ish, although up close it was probably beautiful. She has some great fashion hits, and some horrible misses, a learning curve for sure. She made the same mistake with her Election Night dress — beautiful up-close but not meant for spectator viewing, which is the main function of the First Lady's couture.
On January 20th 2009, Helene wrote:
The dress is much prettier in these pictures than it appeared on the television screen. When you are able to study the bottom of the dress and the slight train it seems quite attractive. it did limit the dancing and also made Mrs. Obama look thick when viewed from the side. I guess she liked the dress and felt good wearing it so….that's what counts. I read somewhere that the designer, Jason Wu hand stitched the dress himself. Shades of Project Runway.
On January 20th 2009, als wrote:
it looks great on her.
she can wear anything…
On January 20th 2009, Jill wrote:
The dress was horrific, to say the least, and in one picture her white slip can be seen. Very, very disappointing.
On January 20th 2009, LV wrote:
I think the dress, on her, was awful! For someone who for the most part dresses nicely, this was a poor taste in dress selection. It's a dress that a youthful hollywood star would wear, not the first lady of the United States. Usually I approve of what she wears, but this dress is a definite thumbs down on her!
On January 20th 2009, ANNA wrote:
The dress was perfect for her and the evening. It was classy,very tasteful and really enhanced her color. WHAT AN AMAZING CHOICE. SOME PEOPLE COULD NOT WAIT TO CRITICIZE. I GUESS YOU KNOW ALL ABOUT BEING A FIRST LADY!! NOT.
On January 20th 2009, Barbara wrote:
Not a good dress. I agree with the previous comment: there is a difference between dressing for close-up and dressing for the stage, and she hasn't learned it yet. (Her election night dress was AWFUL in that respect. Two huge red blobs just in the wrong places, that's how it looked at a distance.)
Plus, the bodice of the gown is simply badly designed. It does not flatter and it is not artistic. Thumbs down to the designer.
On January 20th 2009, missjaq wrote:
Michelle is too beautiful to be rushed out and have to grab the shower curtain at such an important event. That dress did not reflect her usual good taste.
On January 20th 2009, eringobiteme wrote:
I love fashion and I thought she looked spectacular! Blow up those old skinny girl rules-be fabulous, be yourself!!!
On January 20th 2009, Janie wrote:
The dress is awful! Looks like she used an old chenile bedspread with pieces of toilet paper stuck on it.
Obama looked like a 13 year old boy who didn't know not to wear white tie with a dinner jacket. The suit looked a size too small too, like he needed to grow into it.
What a HUGE disappoint.
On January 20th 2009, Yuck in Floria wrote:
Michelle's dress looks like a snowball that threw up. It is gross.
On January 20th 2009, MissT wrote:
She does look awkward, bad choice of dress imho.
On January 20th 2009, lina wrote:
I thought our "First Lady" looked stunning, elegant and out of the box for a change…
BEAUTIFUL!!!
On January 20th 2009, Dale Quick wrote:
The strap across the bodice made her look like she had no bust at all, the flowers or whatever was appliqued on, made her looked like a moulting chicken. She is way to pretty to wear such an unattractive dress. It pointed out all of her most unattractive features instead of showing how beautiful and how strong she is.
On January 20th 2009, Ann wrote:
With all of the choices that I'm sure she had, this was unimpressive.
On January 20th 2009, Sade wrote:
Dissapointing. After the lovely coats and outfits of the past few days, I expected more from her. She definitely could have done better. That's the problem with designer outfits, even when they're ugly, people still claim they're beautiful just because it's made by a designer.
On January 20th 2009, Darleen wrote:
I was really disappointed with Michelle's Inaugural gown. After all the dresses I saw that designers gave her to choose from, I can't believe she chose THAT one! She really needed something more refined and sophisticated. But I absolutely LOVED Beyonce's dress………..truth is, it looked like someone switched Beyonce and Michelle's dresses. Michelle would have looked AMAZING in a dress like that, especially with her height!!
On January 20th 2009, Midwestgal wrote:
I expected much more than a shredded paper experiment called a gown. Both of her outfits were horrible choices. Very disappointing.
On January 20th 2009, maria wrote:
Michelle is a beautiful woman, but this dress was very dissapointing. My first reaction was are they getting married again ? Up close the dress looked like a raveled mess. I was expecting so much more from her.
On January 20th 2009, Lynne Martin wrote:
The gown is simply beautiful and elegant.
On January 20th 2009, Helena Lanning wrote:
Michelle's Ball Gown was 100 times better than the jaundiced Inaugural Ceremony outfit. What was she thinking! The color, the fabric, the sparkles. No, no, no. Winter White for the evening was a good choice. She looked very feminine.
On January 20th 2009, Rose wrote:
I think this dress is beautiful! i love it!. I totally agree with Tia, it suited her hight well. I don't know much about her inauguarion outfit thing, though….
On January 20th 2009, Dasya Le wrote:
She could have done a better job with something more gorgeous, plain fabric and well assessorized. I blame it on her designer as he could have made her look more elegant. In anycase, she looked confident which is an essential ingredient in appearances.
On January 20th 2009, carol brundige wrote:
More planning and testing for this gown. She made her husband the president look bad. She could not walk in it, let alone dance. Made them both look stumbly.
Her nice figure could have looked better in something more substantial.
On January 20th 2009, janee wrote:
I think the First Lady looked stunning in that gown – it is well-suited to the attire of a first lady at an inauguration – elegant, refined, tasteful and definitely not over the top.
Well done with your choice, Michelle!
On January 20th 2009, Kathryn wrote:
Not a great dress for such a historic occasion. Sleeker and understated elegance would have done more to highlight her beauty. I didn't really care for the inaugural ensemble either.
On January 20th 2009, dan wrote:
The gown wore HER : She didn't WEAR the gown. She kept tugging at it – you NEVER touch the gown especially so obviously on stage. Complete disaster .
On January 20th 2009, Nanarae wrote:
A lovely dress!
Youthful, whimsical, and quite appropriate!
On January 20th 2009, Virginia wrote:
I could not believe she wore that awful thing! Looked like someone had shredded strips of muslin, and hot glued them on. It did not flatter her at all. It was so impossible to dance in, what was she thinking? She should have gone to Penney’s and got one off the rack.
On January 20th 2009, mayaderen wrote:
UGH! I love Michelle and think she is absolutely stunning, but of all the dresses she could have worn with her height and slender body, why on earth did she pick somebody's knock off of Nancy Reagan's first Inaugural Ball gown???
Very disappointing!
On January 20th 2009, Miss Dee wrote:
Awful. Don't understand her choice. Needed more flash. Made her look heavy. Just ugly.
No comparison to the Inaugural suit. It was so
beautiful.
On January 20th 2009, JJ wrote:
What is that dress made of, toilet paper? It looks like the product of a couple of drunken high schoolers let loose in the school restroom.
On January 20th 2009, Barbara in Ohio wrote:
Michelle Obama's head is in the right place. She's thinking about her children and the health of the country. She's not going to spend much time worrying about clothes or silverware.
Hat's off to a real first lady, one who will actually do good works. I think she'll follow in the footsteps of Eleanor Roosevelt.
On January 21st 2009, Pat wrote:
I love the Obamas, dontget me wrong, but I think she could have chosen something that didnt look like toilet paper and that she could MOVE in…every minute she was tugging, arranging and it was unflattering…and she couldnt dance with her oh so charming hubby…she looked like a stiff cold woman out there. He was trying to be romantic and she kept pulling away and seemed cold to me. Oh well, maybe she was tired. God Bless them!
On January 21st 2009, victoria Krzyzanowsk wrote:
The dress I think was a good fit for her body type, I didn't like those things every few inches, but that is just me, however, I feel the designer definetly missed the mark when it came to giving her a train, she was having a terrible time with it making her act awkwardly whenever she moved. The color was beautiful on her.
On January 21st 2009, Anne wrote:
Am 53 and not a fashionista. Before Project Runway, never took the slightest interest in designers and their clothes (or models). Don't buy the mags, shop at high-end anything, or aspire to be fashionably dressed. So, what do I know?
I LOVE Michelle Obama. And in addition to her more important qualities, she's a strikingly handsome woman.
But I did not get the ball gown. Didn't think it flattered her, thought it had a chenille bedspread, 50s/60s costume jewelry vibe.
I was willing to defer to her better judgment on the daytime ensemble, but with the gown, she's too far out in front of me I guess.
On January 21st 2009, REESE wrote:
Maude and Medea some to mind. She has no class or style. Her walk is not graceful.
Think of Jackie Kennedy, Nancy Reagan, Laura Bush. Michelle is an embarrassment to our nation. I shutter to think of what our beloved White House will become. God help this country!
On January 21st 2009, Lora wrote:
I first want to say that I am a 100% Obama fan!!! But I think that Michelle's dress was horrible! I think that it looked like toilet paper wrapped around her… I think that she is a beautiful woman but her dress was not the best choice!
On January 21st 2009, Jim wrote:
Janie nailed it…a chenile bedspread with TP! LOL
Not flattering or appropriate for such a beautiful and intelligent woman! Hope they hire her a fashion consultant!
On January 21st 2009, KRISTIN NEVE wrote:
All the comments about "hot glued toilet paper" and "grandma's chenille bedspread with chenille roses" are exactly what I would have said. Chenille with hot glued toilet paper is more apt.
On January 21st 2009, JOANNE wrote:
Doesnt Michelle have a stylist? The dress did nothing for her and made her look bigger than she is.
On January 21st 2009, tiffany wrote:
I have to say I really like it. I am no fashion expert but it is good to see that something that is different!! As far as I am concerned as long as she feels comfortable in it and her husband the president loves it that is all that matters. Michelle you mad a wise choice it is a beautiful dress and you wore it with confidence so that is all that matters.
On January 21st 2009, HamiltonIV wrote:
What a poor choice. I only hope it looked better in person thanit did on television. It look like a first year design school project and made her look like she had no shape at all. There was just too much going on for a classic beauty like Ms. Obama. Where were Oprah's people?
On January 21st 2009, charlene wrote:
She looked like a bride to be… yuk!
On January 21st 2009, justgroovy wrote:
Hell, it looks like she made it herself out of an old bedspread; at least it isn't as ugly a color as her coat and matching dress she wore earlier in the day. She'd have done better shopping at Macy's and picking something off the rack at random. At least we'll have something to ridicule the next four years besides Hillary.
On January 21st 2009, Gab wrote:
She is beautiful and the dress complimented her beauty perfectly!
On January 21st 2009, Kathryn wrote:
Our first lady's gown highlighted her femininity and loveliness. A delightful combination of modern design with hints of tradition.
On January 21st 2009, Frida wrote:
Sadly, it looks like an ill-fitting prom dress to me. A draped, one shoulder bias cut in a silky fabric (no gathering!) and jewel tone would have been way better, IMO.
But hey, it's only a dress! She probably felt like a princess in it, and that's what matters.
On January 21st 2009, alana wrote:
Looked childish and made her look pregnant. Not flattering whatsoever. Not elegant.
On January 21st 2009, molly b wrote:
i felt so sorry for her as i watched her having to tug repeatedly at the gown which wouldn't allow her to move. it looked okay but the design was design in terms of movement was just awful. she was obviously uncomfortable in it. a real designer wouldn't make this mistake!
On January 21st 2009, michelle wrote:
Give her a break, being first lady was unexpected!
It will take time for her to learn. lotsa time. Horrible dress!!
On January 21st 2009, Felesia wrote:
STUNNING AND THANK GOD SHE HAS THE CURVE FOR IT, THE GOLD SUIT WAS AWESOME!
On January 21st 2009, Nancy wrote:
That dress was just a horrible choice and a huge disappointment!! UUUGGHHH!! All the choices she must have had for last night and she chose THAT dress??? This disastrous choice, coupled with the nasty choice on election night shows she is not ready to be crowned another Jackie O. In fact, she has a long way to go……..
On January 21st 2009, Norma Myers wrote:
I didn't really like the dress. However, it was very pretty on her. Who cares how her dress looks??
She's the First Lady married to Barack Obama,
President of the United States.
On January 21st 2009, Eliza wrote:
It is NOT slimming, it is too long and she kept walking on it. She looks awkward holding it up so many times. It looks like a chunky bedspread with tissue paper stuck all over it. The designer should have visualized her dancing to rock, soul, etc. and made a dress that goes with the moves. Her designers are not looking at HER personality and figure and lifestyle. This one blew it, and so did the baby poop yellow-green dress/coat thing she wore for the inauguration.
On January 21st 2009, Sue wrote:
If people would pretend for a moment that anyone other than Michelle Obama was wearing that dress, then you'd get a true assessment of what people really think of that fugly dress. I was disappointed b/c she usually picks classically elegant clothes. This monstrosity looks like a bunch of ratty rags (with those things sticking out of the fabric) wrapped 'round and 'round her body, especially w/ the one-shoulder thing. What was she thinking? You all know it's ugly. Just imagine what you would've said if it were Cindy McCain wearing it (although she never would've).
On January 21st 2009, Janice wrote:
It wasn't the most flattering. I don't think I like it.
On January 21st 2009, Karen wrote:
Norma's got it right! Who cares?!?! She's fabulous, her husband knows it and thinks she looks great. She obviously loved the gown or she would've worn something else. It's what she selected to make history in, and don't the rest of us just wish we could pull something like that off!
On January 21st 2009, Janice wrote:
The dress detracted from her beautiful physical attributes. It was not the right choice for her.
On January 21st 2009, Tonya Armstrong wrote:
FIRST LADY OBAMA IS A PRETTY LADY. WHY DID THEY DO THAT TO HER. OK , I WILL BE HONEST I REALLYDIDN'T LIKE THEY WAY THE DRESS MADE HER LOOK UP TOP. IT LOOKED LIKE SHE HAD A FLAT CHEST. THE BOTTOM PART OF THE DRESS WAS OK. AND WHAT WAS THE RIP LOOKING DETAILS FOR. COME ON. IT WAS A BALL SHE WAS ATTENDING. NOT A FASHION SHOW IN PARIS.
On January 21st 2009, Namita wrote:
Her qualifications and experiences are very comparable to her husband's and she does not need his light to shine. I think she is very beautiful and carries herself very well. The dress is just an accent/ representation of what people want to see on the outside – HOPE. I am content with the fact that we have 2 very intelligent minds in the administration.
On January 21st 2009, Claudia Payne wrote:
it's awful that America has come so far by electing their first BLACK president and all simple minded people can think of is how distasteful the first lady's dress was. But if I just had to share my personal opinion of the dress, I honestly think that the dress was stunning. She looked great…….
On January 21st 2009, Helen wrote:
My first thought was that it looked like it was one of those toilet paper creations! Ghastly.
On January 21st 2009, kwirk wrote:
Pardon me for plagurizing, Bobbynorwich, but I could not have said it better than this:
On January 20th 2009, bobbynorwich wrote:
Michelle missed it on this one — gathered, ruched, white material made her otherwise well-proportioned body look heavy next to her slim dark-suited husband. From a distance it looked prom-ish, although up close it was probably beautiful. She has some great fashion hits, and some horrible misses, a learning curve for sure. She made the same mistake with her Election Night dress — beautiful up-close but not meant for spectator viewing, which is the main function of the First Lady’s couture.
EXACTLY!! But she is lovely, she's learning, and like the rest of us, she's human.
On January 21st 2009, Jan Beverly wrote:
The dress was outstanding. She looked wonderful and the dress was her choice and not yours. Everything she wears is great.
Get over it. Michelle is her own person.
On January 21st 2009, Obama Fan wrote:
After the lovely outfit Michelle wore to the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday, I had high hopes for Tuesday's choices.
The color, fabric & fit of her daytime suit was spectacular! I only wish she would stop putting sweaters on for formal occasions. It looked too casual at the luncheon.
Her gown was a good color choice, but the fit made her look heavy and the design was not made for dancing which was the function of the evening. Couldn't someone have tailored this dress to have form fit function?
It may be helpful for a stylist to consider all the visible angles (close up & from a distance) before making choices for public occasions. Princess Di took a while to get it down, also.
Michelle, you represent the USA. Please find better advisors, or at least have the designer fit the outfit to you needs.
On January 21st 2009, BARBARA REYNOLDS wrote:
I thought she looked ridiculous in that yellow out fit,not approate for the weather conditions and the style was horrific on her.
THE evening gown MADE HER LOOK EVEN BIGGER AND BULKY. SHE DOES NOT HAVE A GOOD FIGURE AND NEEDS HELP TO MAKE THE BEST OF WHAT SHE HAS..
On January 21st 2009, stephanie wrote:
It is a beautiful gown, and Michelle looks beautiful in it.
It is an elegant gown, and she is classy wearing it.
Don't we get sick of the hollywood gowns which are so tight that the body is bursting from the seams, where we see more thigh and breast then a material.
And at the end of the day, it was Michelle Obama's choice, and the dress reflects who she is. Elegant, understated, and NOT FLASH.
On January 21st 2009, ottawa5 wrote:
Personally I don't see why Michelle Obama needs to dress beautifully, I mean her career is as a working attorney, not a model or socialite.
But, please, have some respect for objective reality: don't make ridiculous statements such as she is another Jackie O in terms of fashion.
Jackie O was a woman of innate and exquisite aesthetic sense, in her life style and her clothing choices. Michelle clearly is floundering, buying this and that and getting talked into a whole range of things by different designers trying to expand their careers through her.
And the "gown" , the white thing that she wore last night: the color did make her look healthier and more conventionally attractive than recent choices. But the dress itself reminded me of the Disney Cinderella movie when the little mice had made poor Cinderelle that beautiful gown and then the wicked step-sisters attacked her and tore to to pieces!
The poor woman looked picked to pieces, like she'd escaped a mugging or something, a perception the off-the-shoulder style added to. Now the Obama machine may be able to hire a few fashion consultants to say otherwise in the press, at least for a while–but ask around as to the opinions of other, real people who aren't particularly hypnotized by hope and change.
Beautiful? It's just spin, pretty easy to see through really, the emperor (I mean the First Lady) had truly got some really ugly clothes.
On January 21st 2009, Confused wrote:
The President and the 1st Lady looked lovely.Too much History to be hating on the 1st Lady.
Who cares she is the 1st LADY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Like past 1st ladies she will not call it every time. Who cares. As usual we are place to much importance on trivial stuff. Some of us will love it, some of us will dislike it, and some just don't care.
On January 21st 2009, catty wrote:
Mrs. O, you are no Jackie O—and never will be. The press needs to stop making this comparison. You should develop your own style instead of trying to do what the stylist are telling you should wear. This made you look like you were wearing one of those old chenile bedspreads that my grandma had on her 4 poster bed. Absolutely awful. Vanessa Williams and Beyonce's dresses would have been more flattering than this ball gown. And, please sombody tell her you don't wear cocktail attire to a brunch time swearing in.
On January 21st 2009, elissa wrote:
She usually has wonderful style and is a stunning woman but the dressed looked like it was ripped off the curtain rods at Tara…!
On January 21st 2009, ann wrote:
ottawa5's comments were right on. I think Mrs. Obama is trying too hard to look glamorous. It's better to stick with something plain and simple, than to be overdressed…especially if you want to be taken seriously.
On January 21st 2009, rose wrote:
Well not all the first ladies can look like Jackie as much as they try, and this is the perfect example, from all the dresses she could use, she used the worst, the yellow one was a total Jackie O copy that went wrong, and this one the same
As a lady she is cute, but this white dress would look better in someone slimmer and younger.
On January 21st 2009, shelly wrote:
I agree with the fact that the dress was not exactly the best choice. HOWEVER, I do not agree with the fools above who choose to make smart remarks about the Obama's clothes. You people really need to grow up, and think of more intelligent things to say.
On January 21st 2009, Lita wrote:
I think that Michelle looked elegant and beautiful as always, However it's not my opinion nor any of yours that matters. Obama thought his Michelle looked beautiful and his opinion is the most important of all.
On January 21st 2009, ottawa5 wrote:
Now,now, not very nice to call other people "fools" for disagreeing over fashion-sense issues, shelly.
And as to thinking about "intelligent things to say", and recommendations to "grow up": a good point to keep in mind, I believe, is that it's important not to take one's self too seriously on an opinion-blog page.
Bottom line for me, anyway is that in web discussions, people WILL disagree and will have a wide range of different ways of expressing their disagreements. Nothing wrong with that, and potentially even a source of very entertaining exchanges of outlook.
Good idea to just relax, don't you think? As far as I know, no one posting here represents the opinion-police or is licensed to serve as a mind-guard who gets to regulate how other people rate poor Michelle's funny-looking (IMHO) clothing. I really don't see why we need to resort to name-calling–we are individuals expressing individual opinions, isn't that a mature way of looking at the situation?
On January 21st 2009, Caroline wrote:
I think her dress was eye catching. She wore it well.
On January 21st 2009, jacki london wrote:
The dress was terrible, what was the strap about?
it looked out of place and sorry it did resemble toilet paper mixed with chicken feathers what a shame as she is a good shaped woman and could have looked so much better than ressembling the easter chick in a toilet roll !!!
On January 21st 2009, Illinois boy wrote:
Hideous! Plus it makes her look lumpy and fat. Neither one of them can dance! I am shocked they did not take some dance lessons prior to last night.
On January 21st 2009, Lita wrote:
After reading these comments I have to say get a life people!!!!!
Are any of your husbands or significant others the 44th history making president of the United States??? I don't think so. Bottom line she coulda showed up in a sheet. Michelle & Obama are a class act regardless and it's not what either of them wears that's gonna make a difference in bringing about change in this country.
STOP WASTING TIME CRITICIZING AND FIND OUT WHAT YOU CAN DO TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE REBUILDING OF OUR COUNTRY!!!
On January 21st 2009, Miranda wrote:
I feel that she could have selected a much better one. The Gown is offcourse nice however doesn't suit her body structure. The morning dress was much better suiting that the gown.
On January 21st 2009, Montgomery Carey wrote:
the gown was not flattering on the first lady at all, the soft folds of this fabric were beautiful but not around her waist or even higher as the were missed placed by the designer to hide her waistline when her curves are so beautiful. Her look should be bold but very sleek or she will appear as if she is larger than she is. and it will not flatter them as a couple.Montgomery Carey / Dressing the Bride/@ Patricia's Bridal Elegance717-3977664Lancaster,Pa.17603
On January 21st 2009, marymary wrote:
horrible
who is advising her
gold glitter to church and white ruffles at night……..
omg!……….yuck!
she deserved better ……….
On January 21st 2009, maggie wrote:
I think her dress was fine. It appeared very middle class and accessible which seems to be consistent with how this administration appears to want to be perceived.
On January 21st 2009, TiTi wrote:
I thought the gown Michelle word was hideous. It looked awful on tv and in the pictures.
On January 21st 2009, GeekLady wrote:
The First Lady is very graceful. Only she could pull off a dress like this. But, it did not play up her enviable slender, athletic figure like a more form-fitting gown might have. While the dress would have looked comical on some women, Mr. s Obama managed to make it look elegant.
On January 21st 2009, Julie wrote:
Her dress and her taste is an embassassment to her and to the country.
On January 21st 2009, Janice Williams wrote:
God Bless America with the First Black First Lady, The dress is stunning and she looks georgeous and graceful. Get Real People, Say postive things about others, and it will come back to you, your fist and second generations
On January 21st 2009, ottawa5 wrote:
I like Lita's comment in defense of Michelle Obama that she "coulda have showed up in a sheet". Ha, ha.
Actually a sheet, properly draped and in a flattering color would likely have looked better than that fashion disaster.
You don't need to be a president or related to a president to see with your own eyes that something just looks awful.
Maybe she and her husband will do wonderful things in the White House, maybe not. That's a separate issue and time will tell. But on the subject of this woman's sense of style, it looks like we're gonna have material to talk about that's richer and more voluminous than has been available since about the time of the distinctly unfashionalbe Eleanor Roosevelt.
Oh sorry, the break's over—-time to go and REBUILD THE COUNTRY or something you deign more virtuous, right Lita?
On January 21st 2009, Mcl26022 wrote:
Did not become her. The designer may have been brillant but the dress did not do her justice. Maybe if she were a young teenager, it would have been alright. Michelle lis too classy and the dress (on her) was not.
On January 21st 2009, Nikki Mooney wrote:
She looked great! I loved her dress it was really nice.
On January 21st 2009, Angie wrote:
For months the media has been going on about the Obamas bringing fashion and style back to the White House. If that white ball gown, it looked like moth balls were hanging from it and the dress she wore to prayer meeting are any indication, look out. Her taste is hideous, a local newspaper compared her to Jackie O, Michelle, Jackie O you are not
On January 21st 2009, Angie wrote:
To Lita and the rest of you, chill out. I sent my comment because the article asked for people to send in comments on her gown.
That is the beauty of our country, we can all voice our opinion.
On another note, everyone keeps talking about comming together. I think it was so low class and disrepectful for Obama Mania people to boo the Bush's and Cheneys. I attended the first Bush innauguration none of the Clinton Supporters booed anyone. Show a little class
On January 21st 2009, Denis wrote:
She looked like Wilma Flinstone in the Prehistoric world. Gosh it was an ugly dress. Contrast that with the smart outfit she wore to the searing in in the daytime? Wake up and admit it outloud. , repeat after me, "That was a terrible dress on a beautiful woman"
On January 21st 2009, andrew wrote:
well i like the obama's alot but that damn dress was so bad i was embaraced for her. she really did make them both look like fools.sorry
On January 21st 2009, Zain wrote:
I loved it..She looked so classy in it..Well I dont know how fond I am of the small flowers hanging everywhere..but she carried it with so much grace. I loved her choice of white and the accessories, there couldn't be anything simpler than this LADY.
I am sure you guys would cut her a slack if you'll would've seen the Golden Globe and the hideous gowns worn by each and every celebrity who get paid to look good! The best was a plain black dress worn by Kate W. coz the rest were not even worth commenting!
So let the LADY do her JOB which is doing everything but looking like a dumb PAGE 6 CELEBRITY!
On January 21st 2009, Staci wrote:
Whether you think it is "unimportant" or not, as the First Lady of the United States, who is now in the "world spotlight", she should be "appropriately" dressed for every event. She should be representing the best "American" designers, familiar with dressing a "First Lady". At 45 years old, she should know what works for her figure. Her clothes yesterday were inappropirate for both events. The daytime suit should have been tailored, without "glitter", although it would have been fine for a cocktail party! The evening gown did not fit her, and was not sophisticated, at all. I hope someone recommends she secure the services of a professional fashion advisor; Michelle is a very accomplished woman, but in this area, she needs some assistance, as has now been demonstrated!
On January 21st 2009, Flo Wolff wrote:
Michelle Obama's gown was extremely disappointing. One would have thought that being the first African American first lady she would have chosen her evening ball gown with much more care. The gown looked like rags put together in as decorative manner as was possible at the last minute. Wow, what a disappointment.
On January 21st 2009, shannon wrote:
The dress looked like my sister's 1977 jr. high prom gown (minus the stargazer lily corsage) meshed with my granny's old bed spread. I was very disappointed. I expected her to look much more sophisticated. Not a dress for her. You could tell she was very uncomfortable. Very awkward.
On January 21st 2009, Flo Wolff wrote:
I think Angie hit on why Michelle Obama's gown was such a huge disappointment to some of us and I agree that Jackie O wouldn't have worn something like that even to take her trash out.
Angie wrote, "For months the media has been going on about the Obamas bringing fashion and style back to the White House……that white ball gown, it looked like moth balls were hanging from it……Her taste is hideous……newspaper compared her to Jackie O, Michelle, Jackie O you are not."
On January 21st 2009, tule wrote:
Sorry folks,
The dress looks like cotton balls are stuck all over it and the loose ends make it look like an old curtain was used to make it. Too bulky, too long…eeeek!
On January 21st 2009, Nini wrote:
I’m pretty sure none of the commenter’s have achieved what the Obama’s have to date (or they would be performing the first dance themselves) so why should anyone comment on what Michelle wore?? Once any of the commenter’s is elected President or has the pleasure of being a Presidents spouse is when you should comment on the First Lady’s wardrobe. At that time it will be your choice!!!
On January 21st 2009, Lisa wrote:
Should have been made by an American designer. Are you kidding me? I am sure Calvin Klein or Ralph Lauren would have been more than willing to put a beautiful gown together. Not some spare rags thrown together.
On January 21st 2009, Liza wrote:
I really didn't like it on her.. I think it was for a younger women.. she need something more sophisticated and elegant..
On January 21st 2009, anna wrote:
i think she looked beautiful all day
On January 21st 2009, LDW wrote:
Nice dress for a 16-year-old fawn to wear to a prom.
For a full-figured woman with the shoulders of a quarterback and the jaw of a baboon, it was atrocious.
On January 21st 2009, Kate wrote:
While Mrs. Obama seems to love fashion, she never quite seems to find a dress that flatters her. I'm not a fan of the thick one shoulder look, but can't deny that its in style right now.
On a rail thin supermodel, the dress would have been nice. On her it made her look short waisted and thick. She has a beautiful figure, but needs to find a designer who understands her body style. If only it had a more A-line cut instead of the heavy gathers at the waist and wrapped fabric on the torso. I also wished it had a hint of butter yellow to complement her skin and bring out the details of the dress.
On January 21st 2009, Kay wrote:
Very disappointing choice.
I thought she'd wear something very sleek and elegant.
She always looked so well dressed on the campaign trail, this gown was a huge let-down!!
On January 21st 2009, d miller wrote:
My first comment upon seeing the dress was that it looked just like my Grandmother's chenille bedspread! I see that others thought the same way. She looked very awkward at every ball trying to maneuver that dress around. It looked very heavy and cumbersome. She looked annoyed with it. It was impossible to dance or look graceful wearing that thing. Very poor choice……
On January 21st 2009, jacki london wrote:
The dress looked like old curtains recycled it fitted badly and did nothing for the first lady,
The day time suit looked heavy and bulky,
both sets of clothing looked ill fitting and made her look as though she was carrying a heavy load there was nothing elegant about the day 's outfits.
Mrs Obama will learn the British royals such as Lady Diana made similar mistakes but then listened to the critism which wa not based on anything other than truth …I hope Mrs Obama too listens as she has a great womanly shape that can be dressed to make the most of her figure.
This dress was badly designed by someone who neither understands materials or shape and it was good the obama lady tryed out a new designer MORE SO THAT SHE CHOOSE A Cuban but it did not work out.
The dress was terrible the strap just hung, it was to long, it looked heavy like winter curtains, it fitted badly.
The day wear was cut wronge it did not huge her great curves, but hung like someone wearing their granfathers suit.The green shoes and gloves were horrid bad clash of color.
SHE SUITS SOLID STRONG COLORS LIKE THE BLACK AND TAN :)
AND NEEDS CLOTHES THAT FIT THIS IS THE FIRST LADY.
On January 21st 2009, ottawa5 wrote:
Interesting. On the basis of what's been posted on this site (and several others, I might add) it seems that large numbers of people think that the white "toilet tissue" gown was not very attraction.
Yet when you search the news in general, all sorts of pundits/designers/assorted politicial-hangers-on are going way, way overboard in praising the gown and Michelle's style in a broader sense.
Is this unrealistically-positive damage control, with the new White House in full gear, trying to put enough exuberant praise in the press to "mold' public opinion?
I'm betting it's a losing game if that's what's going on. Americans are in large part strong-minded people who know what they like, certainly in visceral matters such as what is personally attractive to them.
If Michelle can't look any better than this with all the money and resources at her disposal, a strategy (and one that will resonate with the American people) might be to simply admit that she has little aptitude or interest in fashion and just go back to dressing like a run-of-the-mill female Chicago attorney.
On January 21st 2009, Violet wrote:
I'd really like to love this dress. Unfortunately I agree with the poster who said that it looked lovely up close but was not meant for spectator viewing. From afar, it looks ratty and bulky; it doesn't cut the smooth silhouette that would flatter her most. She looks heavy in it, and it does not compliment her figure. Perhaps on a rail-thin supermodel it would have worked better, but Michelle resembles a stucco ceiling or- tee hee- a spitballed one. It kind of looks like one of my beautiful coats after my cats got hold of it. Not hating– just honest criticism. It's not productive to tell someone that everything they wear is gorgeous– only honesty will improve her future couture choices.
On January 21st 2009, Miss Maybe wrote:
My very first thought when I saw this gown was OMG, she is wearing a cheap chenille bedspread! I hope that, up close and personal, its prettier than it appears from the pictures I have seen. She is a woman with beauty, strength, and grace — this dress just does not do her justice.
On January 21st 2009, ANITA wrote:
Mrs. Obama desperately needs to be tutored in design sense…especially for herself. The inaugural gown looked like she was GOING TO A PROM…or reciting her wedding vows!!! No elegance whatsoever and no pre-thought to having to enter and exit cars all night and dance. Her figitting with the gown all night to unlock the "wedding train" from her shoes was irritationg. If she is gong to be compared to Jackie O..then hire someone to give her some fashion sense. The dress she wore to the church this a.m. (waist and full skit and loud print) was for a 20 year old girl…not a First Lady. For the daytime inauguration…was she going to a cocktail party?? Again. no comparison to the superb class and taste of Jackie O whatsoever..Jackie O wore a wool coat, dress and pill box hat…designed to suit her figure..and quite appropriate for a daytime event. Also, she has wide hips..and she kept pulling the coat closed around her hips because it kept flapping open. She needs clothes that are comfortable so she doesn't have to keep fidgetting with them which is very very distracting!!! Jackie O understood that less is more..excellent cut..but not glitzy….unfortunately Ms. Obama has no fashion sense. I did see a photo of her in a blue V kneck dress with straight skirt that looked stunning on her. Her inaugural gown should have been designed the same way…V kneck…electric blue….3/4 sleeves and a long straight or a line skirt. She is quite beautiful but chooses everything to counteract her attributes. She chooses styles that make her look bigger, heavier than the President. She also needs some guidance as to how to walk elegantly. They had better get to this before she starts travelling and representing us in Europe.
On January 21st 2009, Reese wrote:
I think the dress was breath-taking and she wore it well!!! I could care less if the dress came from Target, Jc-Penny or my next door neighbor's garage sale! Her taste of fashion is not what matters as long as it is appropriate…she is ok with me. We should be on our knees praying for this new President and his family. We should be more concerned about the economy, our children's education, healthcare and unnecessary wars. Not fashion!!!
On January 21st 2009, Jan wrote:
Mrs Obama usually seems so confident, but it was obvious she was uncomfortable in the inauguration ball dress. She could barely walk in it, let alone dance. To me that is the designers fault. She will come to know her style better. I can only imagine how her feet felt by the end of the night.. The President & Mrs. Obama are a very lovely couple & I wish them the very best & God watch over them.
On January 21st 2009, deb wrote:
Of course her taste in fashion does not matter and the other issues are important but she could have gotten a nicer dress at Target or JC Penney or a garage sale for that matter.
She is the FIRST LADY and she should look good regardless of where she gets the dress.
So why pick something so ugly?
She is representing the United States of America!
On January 21st 2009, Tori wrote:
God Bless her! BUT–the "lemon grass" outfit was really not flattering and I don't care how much pashmina was in it she looked down right freezing at points in the day. It was not a flattering color on her and not suited to the weather of D.C. A nice wool coat over a suit would have been fitting, appropriate and in keeping w/ tradition…and WAY warmer!
Now the gown…OMG!! It looked like a wedding gown, or prom gown or chenille bead spread. Too much on her slender body and she didn't look very comfortable in it at all. The strap was too much…the whole thing made her look frumpy!
I am quite surprised that the handlers, aides, consultants and designers, etc didn't tell the Pres. and Mrs. what to wear and what to expect. They both looked like fish out of water at the 1st ball. Like they didn't know what to do. She had her back to the camera and the audience for quite a while before some dude off stage signaled for her to face the cameras and audience.
I'm sure they will "grow" into what is expected but right now they both appear to have "growing pains."
On January 21st 2009, ALYSON wrote:
EITHER WAY MICHELLE & PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA MADE HISTORY. AND WILLREMAIN A PART OF HISTORY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!
On January 21st 2009, ALYSON wrote:
for all who thinks that Michelle Obama looked so gross and is such a mis-representation of "Fashion"
what are your names? will you and your name be apart of history? Who will remember you when you die? Maybe ur friends and family??? But definately not the "entire world". The name Michelle Obama & President Barack Obama will be remembered until the end of time. SPREAD THE LOVE..
On January 21st 2009, Joe Public wrote:
The dress like the woman are God awful. Here's looking to 2012 for real change.
On January 21st 2009, mj wrote:
I LOVE MICHELLE OBAMA. I think she's beautiful, smart and classy, BUT……..i have to admit……..
….the white gown looked like curtain/wedding dress/prom dress with caveman straps. It was THAT bad.
On January 21st 2009, ottawa5 wrote:
A recent poster wrote (in caps for some reason):
"EITHER WAY MICHELLE & PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA MADE HISTORY. AND WILLREMAIN A PART OF HISTORY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!"
My response would have to be : "SO WHAt???"
All sorts of people "make history" for numerous good or bad reasons (including, as in this case, having been married to someone who ended up in the White House).
What has "making history" got to do with whether this woman just has terrible fashion sense? No, make that terrible aesthetic sense in general, given the scope some of these clothing missteps. Heaven help us when she starts in on decorating the White House itself. She may or may not have many fine attributes and abilities but making herself look her best in the public arena is clearly not a strength area.
And I'm gonna bet that when Michelle is mentioned somewhere in a history book sometime, there's likely to be reference to her horrible sense of style unless something changes dramatically pretty quickly.
On January 21st 2009, clementine Hardy-How wrote:
The gown was stunning, simplistic, flowy and the First Lady wore it with grace!!!!!!
On January 21st 2009, Dontlikedress wrote:
I think it was ugly. Or maybe because she just did not look classy. She doesn't have charm. Even Hillary had charm but Michelle, None with a capital N.
On January 21st 2009, blueangel wrote:
It's a good thing we are judging the Obamas on character and not style or dancing ability. Michelle's dress looked awful, coming off looking like a dress Miss USA would wear at a beauty contest. And it looked like she couldn't help but step on it while she was dancing. I guess the lesson here is try a few twirls and see if the dress works before you choose it for such a BIG event. I wonder how much of her own judgment was used to select the gown. Too bad, she could have done soooo much better! And what was up with the dancing? It looked like they were still practicing their steps, so awkward and stiff much of the time. And Mr. Obama teling the same jokes over and over at each ball was really boring and disappointing. Oh well, glad it's over, and glad they are now going to get to the business of governing the country and making essential changes we all want to see.
On January 21st 2009, Tyler wrote:
Are you people serious!!!! It doesn't matter about fashion. I hope you don't place your votes on who can spend the most money on name brand clothing. Look at all the things that are going on in the world today!! Company's closing, people holding office and they are embezzeling money, schools closing. There are more important things to worry about than Michelle Obama's taste of fashion!
On January 21st 2009, Dominic wrote:
I have read several of the comments here…is it really about the clothes she wears…..or the color of her skin??? I mean seriously. If Barbara Bush wore the same outfit would you guys still think it was horrible?
On January 21st 2009, Doodsie wrote:
Ms. Obama needs a stylist!!! She has chosen some very chic outfits in the past but missed the boat on Inauguration Day. Neither the gold brocade (a little too much for daytime) and the ball gown with what my husband said looked liked cotton balls on gauze flattered her. I expected to see her in something sleek, chic, figure flattering and a strong color that reflected her personality. So far, Malia seems to have the fashion sense. Jill Beiden defintely out shone her with her vibrant ,red figure flattering and danceable ball gown.
On January 21st 2009, JS wrote:
About the comment "all the conservatives hoping for some sateen sheath are going to tear her apart" – that may be the most ignorant thing I've ever heard anyone say. Why would someone expect her to wear a hideous dress because they are a conservative? I am as conservative as they come and I think her dress was magnificent. She was and is beautiful.
On January 21st 2009, Castina wrote:
To Dominic/Tyler: I can't speak for anyone else, but I am African-American and I'm not feeling the dress, either. I heart the Obamas and the glass ceiling that they have broken down for not only African-Americans but for all people who have ever looked in a mirror and wondered if they could really achieve their dreams. My respect for the President and First Lady remains unchanged–no matter what they have on. With that being said, I won't support unflattering attire simply because the garment in question is attached to another sista.
The gown doesn't compliment her knockout figure. And her hair and accessories didn't glam up the dress. One-shoulder and off the shoulder getups are almost always best suited with an updo. A high school cheerleader could tell you that. The gown was a poor choice for Mrs. Obama…Actually, I think the dress is a poor choice for any woman over the age of 17. She's going to her husband's inaugural ball, not the junior prom.
It's as simple as that.
Futhermore, you're really not doing our people any favors by trying creating racial tension where there is none.
On January 21st 2009, ottawa5 wrote:
A recent poster wrote " Are you people serious!!!! It doesn’t matter about fashion. I hope you don’t place your votes on who can spend the most money on name brand clothing. Look at all the things that are going on in the world today!! Company’s closing, people holding office and they are embezzeling money, schools closing. There are more important things to worry about than Michelle Obama’s taste of fashion!"
Well,,,if that's your opinion of the subject in question, poster, I'd like to ask why are you wasting your valuable time opining on a blog that has to do with fashion?
I mean if the topic is so meaningless, why expend the energy? Shouldn't you be out there using your zeal to post about "important" things like world hunger or something else illustrious?
Funnier and funnier!
Another poster wrote: "I have read several of the comments here…is it really about the clothes she wears…..or the color of her skin??? I mean seriously. If Barbara Bush wore the same outfit would you guys still think it was horrible?"
OMG, can you believe it, it didn't take very long for some fervent soul to play the race card, did it? Fortunately many of us have come to just disregard such transparent manipulation.
Though admittedly the more naive amongst us might buckle and agree the dress MUST be beautiful because a person of (partial?) African descent wore it. Thank God I"m not part of that group!!
THE DRESS WAS UGLY for heaven's sakes, it would have been just as ugly if this woman had been an Inuit from Northern Canada.
And the idea of Barbara Bush wearing such a monstrosity?
It would NEVER happen, whatever you think of Ms. Bush, she was a person who knows who she is, acts her age, and has never pretended to be a fashion plate (never even dyed hair if you hadn't noticed).
Actually poor Michelle might be able to learn a lot about being proud and contented with who you are from Ms. Bush
For example, she might even learn not to cozy up to second-tier designers who put her into ridiculous clothing for the sake of their own publicity. She might learn not to go off on these fashion quests that apparently are aimed at making her look cool and current—but which end up with her just looking extremely odd and geekish.
On January 21st 2009, notdressinforsuccess wrote:
No matter what the media says, The emporer has new clothes and that gown was AWFUL. Some days Michelle looks amazing, young, stylish…and other days I don't get it. Yesterday I didn't get it. I imagined her in a sophisticated royal blue sateen, something sleek and modern to reflect the CHANGE we have been promised, not my grandmother's bedspread stapled into a cave-man looking bunch of fabric slopped up and over her shoulder.
No one is diminishing the Obama's accomplishments or character, just commenting on her fashion in this 'blog about Michelle's fashion' – those that can't deal with opinions about her fashion without hurling insults might want to not come to these boards.
On January 21st 2009, MargaretO wrote:
I loved the style of the gown. Though, it did not photograph well. You really could not see the detail, so I do get the Chenille bedspread comments. I do hope someone does a professional glamor photo. Everyone who actually was at the parties said it was really a magnificent looking dress.
Also, wow it's amazing to see various photos of Michelle in the gown. Some of them truly make the old adage that the camera adds 10 lbs to you. Others, she looks very trim. I think all of the tv coverage really made her look thicker than she really is. The color variations were wild, as well. Some of the shots it looked almost yellow and others it looked pure white. Yet, the description by the designer was cream.
I also liked the style of the ensemble she wore during the day, but the color and detail also did not photograph well. It looked more like brocade, when it was really lace. As well, the color variations in the photography were really varied.
I guess the lesson to be learned for Michelle is that for functions like this it is important to really know how it will appear on camera. But, you know what? I think Michelle is self-assured enough not to give a care about it or what any of us think about it. If she likes it and her man likes her in it, that's all that matters.
On January 21st 2009, Dominic wrote:
If the dress was not pleasing to your eyes FINE!! The most important thing to do now is pray for our new President.
On January 21st 2009, me wrote:
Ugly and very unflattering for her body type. She also struggled walking and dancing in it all night.
On January 22nd 2009, Letha Clarke wrote:
I felt sorry for the lst Lady when she stepped out in her ball gown. Reminded me of a High School Ring Dance gown that "mother" made most of us that are over 50. "Honey, we will put one more fu-fu on the strap and it will look fine". Trains on gowns are for "Miss America Contests" and Weddings with runways. I expected her to be dressed in something sleek, maybe aqua. We know fashions mean nothing, let us pray for the Presidential Family.
On January 22nd 2009, J H wrote:
I thought the ball gown was awful. She is the first African American First Lady. She should have been stunning… That gown did her no justice. Her Oprah hair has to go, isn't she supposed to be her friend. Seems to me like she should have told her friend that her gown was not flattering. She should have worn her hair up. That dress looked like my grandmothers curtains. It was a travesty… Jason Wu …WHO???
On January 22nd 2009, yan wrote:
reminds me of this gown designed by Milka Quin Redoble:
…though I must say that the above dress (by a relatively unknown Madrid-based designer) looks better than the dress on Michelle
On January 22nd 2009, princess wrote:
the dress was beautiful and abvisouly very expensive but did not fit her body type she is a beatiuful women but with the dress she could have done better.
On January 22nd 2009, lucyd wrote:
one word: Hideous.
On January 22nd 2009, christine cassity wrote:
that was the most beautiful dress i have ever seen for all the presidents wife it was gorgeous and she was beautiful in it and he was handsome to with his white shirt and tie
On January 22nd 2009, christine cassity wrote:
she was beautiful her dress is the most beautiful dress and presidents wife could ever wear
On January 22nd 2009, Pat Jackson wrote:
Toga! Toga! Toga! It looked like what John Belushi wore int he toga scene from "Animal House!" YUCK!!!!!!!!!
On January 22nd 2009, ottawa5 wrote:
Scan the news: you'll find broad agreement that Jill Biden stole the show the evening ot the swearing in with her classy, flattering, red gown.
The press appears to be trying to be kind (biased? ) by repeating the term "mixed reviews" in describing poor Michelie's "tissue fragment" dress.
I'm sure all the Obamites in the media would love to just say that "everyone" adored Michelle's monstrosity—but how can they get away with doing so, when blogs like this one tell the true story?
Ah, the beauty of free speech—it does bring us back to reality, time after time, whatever the powers-that-be would like to create a new reality for their own purposes.
On January 22nd 2009, patricia m fundora wrote:
Someone should teach Michelle Obama how to dress. Beyonce, Mariah and Queen L looked more like a first lady than she did. Simply stated: HORRIBLE!
On January 22nd 2009, Mississippi Girl wrote:
It was her night too! She should be able to wear whatever makes her feel good. She looks like she feels good to me!
On January 22nd 2009, Lindengirl wrote:
In this age of disaster and disappointment, I am saddened by the shallow comments made be some of the posters. Do they have lives? Instead of harping on the First Lady's dress, they should tend to their families and communities and help to make America the great country it can be.
On January 22nd 2009, Jake White wrote:
George Bush and Dick Cheney designed the gown for the Balls, It was a plot.
On January 22nd 2009, ottawa5 wrote:
A previous (and presumably very virtuous) poster recently shared:
"In this age of disaster and disappointment, I am saddened by the shallow comments made be some of the posters. Do they have lives? Instead of harping on the First Lady’s dress, they should tend to their families and communities and help to make America the great country it can be."
Really fabulous advice, poster. And right back at at ya, btw. That is, I hope you're not failing to tend to your own family and community by trolling around the internet scolding other people for their opinions on MIchelle's (awful) dress.
But you know, a lot of us really can walk and chew gum at the same time. So I personnally don't see my life, my family, or my community at any serious risk of neglect because I post on a web site now and them.
Of course, if it's a black-and-white choice between whether to "have lives" or post about the First Lady's (really really ugly) dress a few times, well, that's another matter.
But I find myself wondering if your comment isn't really about a (possibly unhealthy) tendency to expect everyone else to automatically agree that the Obamas are perfect in every single way—and somehow above the evaluations, even superfical ones, that other American politicians and their families deal with routinely?
Lighten up why don't you, if poor Michelle has any spine at all (which seems likely), it's not going to hurt her to hear that some people (actually a lot of people) didn't like her chicken-feather dress.
Then she can decide if she wants to ignore these opinions, or react to them, it's her choice. Just like it's our choice to have and to post diverse views on the subject, even if this is apparently sort of discomforting for some among us.
On January 22nd 2009, Pat wrote:
As an African American, no one could be any prouder of the accomplishments of our newly electected President Obama, and first lady Michelle; but I do hope and pray that Michelle gets it together as it relates to fashion. She is a beautiful woman, but she fails to accent what she's been blessed with! A sheek form fittng or flowing gown would have been beautiful on her firm toned body. I respect her for choosing American designers but I pray as she assimulates into her position, she'll perhaps hire a talented team of professionals that will help her to be more consistant in choosing the "right " designs that complement the beautiful person that she is.
Also, this is America…and we do have lives, love and tend to our families, and exercise the right to freedom of speech.
On January 22nd 2009, Mz G wrote:
I was really disappointed with her choice of ball gowns! Surely she must have had multiple choices and one of them had to have been a better choice than the one that she made. She's a tall, good figured woman, but this dress made her look frumpy and wide! I anticipated seeing her in something sleek, chic and sans-train. This dress made her look short-waisted and thick, instead. The shoulder strap looked like an after thought, too angled to the top of the gown. It would have suited the dress (and Michelle) better if it had a smoother blend into the bodice.
On January 22nd 2009, C wrote:
I agee with the TP and Bedspread mess it looks like it was this all rolled out in one or should I say spit out .
It was horrible and looked so tacky. She is no wear near Jackie, Nancy or laura, so quit ocmparing the Ugly Duckling to the Graceful few. And as far as having something to laugh at we all need something else to keep our minds off of the mess our country is about to get itself into with his election.
On January 22nd 2009, Kelly wrote:
The dress was gorgeous but I think it would have been better suited for a spring occasion. Plus wearing white is not the best color for pictures/video, etc…
On January 22nd 2009, Christina wrote:
I thought her dress was beautiful, BUT I did think she should have chosen the same dress in a different color. It is the inaugural ball for crying out loud. But who am I to tell her what she can and can not wear. She looked stunning regardless, and I am telling my self this as well as all of you… QUIT GRIPING. She wore what she wanted… She is her own person, and it's just a dress!
On January 22nd 2009, JAYNE GLENN wrote:
This was not Michelle's night to fantasy dress!
Michelle's white gown looked like a
barbie doll's dress, not a first lady's inaugural ball gown. . Maybe she is trying to dress and look
young like her two daughers…lets play Cinderella or Snow White! She needed some sophistication not a fluffy barbie doll dress. Save that for the bedroom ! Maybe she felt young in the dress but it did not accentuate her nice slender figure, nor did it look sophisticated or appropriate for the affair. it was not the night to live out your barbie doll or little girl dress up fantasy! It was your time to be an elegant woman….not live out your inner little girl fantasy. MIchelle save the little girl dress up fantasy looks for in the bedroom when you are alone with your husband President Obama.
On January 23rd 2009, Gavrik wrote:
Re: the inaugural dress: I saw some wonderful sketches done for her–strong colors, simple lines, big strong bow on at least one: she would have looked like a million bucks in something like that–she can pull off high fashion and should have done so.
In the morning, all I could think of (coming from a northern climate) that she was like a stubborn teenager who should have been in a great mink, or a cashmere coat with warm fur trim and hat, instead of standing there frozen to death without stockings and a coat that didn't even button. My maternal instincts were exasperation: like she was my teenage daughter who insisted on wearing something that was inappropriate for the weather. She might have made the PETA folk angry, but she could have given a boost to the fur industry. Lots of people in the crowd were in fur, and there she was, freezing her tuchas.
On January 23rd 2009, Tra' wrote:
I thought the dress was really pretty and it looked so comfortable. Which was really important for such a long, long night.
On January 23rd 2009, esperanza wrote:
This was NOT the right dress for Michelle. The lines of the dress did NOTHING for her. Too bad no one stopped her. It did not live up to the level of elegance such a night requires of the first lady. Too bad it will be forever memorialized in the Smithsonian. Hope she thinks better of future choices, SHE BLEW THIS ONE!!!!!!!!!!!
On January 23rd 2009, rhonda bloschock wrote:
Methinks we're in for 4 years of "What Not to Wear."
Quick- Stacey and Clinton to the rescue! Michelle's outfits say "I'm a giant insect."
On January 23rd 2009, ranchgirl wrote:
She reminds me of the ladies in the cafeteria line on Sundays. You don't know if they just got out of church or stayed up all night on New Years Eve. And, for gosh sakes,change the hair for a dressy affair!
On January 23rd 2009, Margaret Holt wrote:
Why does it matter what Michele wears its her life not ours.Not sure why we are talking about her any way.The President thought she was beautiful,thats what counts.
On January 23rd 2009, Noddy wrote:
I thought the dress she wore in the evening was completely hideous, but I thought maybe it was just me so I asked lots of women what they thought. One said she thought it was beautiful but everyone else agreed it was horrible. Whoever designed that thing should be waterboarded.
On January 23rd 2009, Beckey wrote:
I think Michelle and her dress were beautiful.
I am so proud to have her as our First Lady.
On January 23rd 2009, Noddy wrote:
Rhonda said:
"Methinks we’re in for 4 years of “What Not to Wear.”
Quick- Stacey and Clinton to the rescue! Michelle’s outfits say “I’m a giant insect.” "
Don't forget that when Hillary first came to the White House she looked like a bag lady, but that changed pretty quickly, presumably thanks to image consultants on staff.
Once she left though she regressed to her old ways, but I would guess the State Department has a pretty good budget for image consultants too, so hopefully things will improve.
On January 23rd 2009, Eavan Mages wrote:
Pretty dress, best suited for someone with a body like Sarah Jessica Parker.
Who made the silly comment about Republicans dissing it and suggesting a silk sheath for her, Mrs. Obama has a pear figure, big on bottom half, slight on top, Ralph Lauren suggsted she seek out Oprah's stylist and I would agree…the shoes on inaugruation day with her yellow outfit way too slight for her average sized physique (average being a good thing, she is NORMAL…needs to wear fabrics that suit her though to showcase her best assets)….just the truth here…
On January 23rd 2009, Wally wrote:
Mrs Obama needs help. She now represents the american women to the rest of the world and should show some class. The inaugural gown she worn was the worst…
On January 23rd 2009, sacha wrote:
I thought the Inaugural day and night looks were political–American designers from foreign shores, one hispanic and the other Chinese. Both are talented designers. I liked the daytime suit which looked as though it had some warm sort of sweater lining layered in. The golden color was hope inspiring and great with Michelle's dark golden skin. She would have benefited from a gown that was not gathered at the waist as her hips are ample. The color was right however and the texture might have been improved with something smoother as that gown with its gossamer flocking and flowers might have been more appropriate for a spring slightly less formal evening event. I think Michelle wanted to look contemporary and she also wanted something not as terribly expensive as are the gowns from the major fashion houses. Her giving new designers a chance is definitely a great thing. Jason Wu will be in demand now.
What else has he done?
On January 24th 2009, Bethany wrote:
well, actually the dress, and how it looked on Mrs. Obama may be negative advertising for the designer, as he/she did not put enough thought and planning into the gown; it did not seem to be suitable for dancing in. The are a very attractive couple. The dress was disappointing for sure.
On January 24th 2009, t sav wrote:
All you people care about is apperance. she could have wore a potatoe sack and still looked better than most of you. It's not about what designer she has on it's about what she and her husband can do for our country. Adults stop acting like shallow teens and grow up. She has class. I guess you would be more happy if she wore something tight that showed her figure. Then another breed of vultures would attack, the ones that think everyone is fat. You should all be ashamed of yourselves. I hope none of you teach your children that you can be as dumb as you want as long as you look good doing it.
On January 24th 2009, wren fairchild wrote:
I loved it! She looked awesome. PS: I agree with t sav
On January 24th 2009, ottawa5 wrote:
Somebody wrote earlier today: "All you people care about is apperance. she could have wore a potatoe sack and still looked better than most of you. It’s not about what designer she has on it’s about what she and her husband can do for our country."
Well… actually since none of us can see each other here, the remark about who looks better than who seems a little bit silly.
I've seen Michelle Obama and it's clear she's neither a great beauty nor (as some have called her) dog-ugly. Sometimes she looks sort of tired and drained and in some outfits pretty ungainly.. But overall, pretty average, most people wouldn't (except because she's in the public eye right now) stop on the street to notice her either way, I don't think.
As to the dress, it was just a horrible dress, I think that's how a lot of people see it.
It's nice to go to bat for politicos one likes, but I find it t always helps to self-censure along the way when getting so protective and involved that it begins to border on unreasonableness.
And actually poster, it IS about the dress design—on this blog, specifically so— so no apologies from me for one, for posting about fashion in a fashion-oriented discussion.
On January 24th 2009, Robin Moser wrote:
Where is her wedding ring? WHY has no one
made a big deal that the first lady was NOT
wearing her wedding ring if she is SO "family"
oriented and "committed" to her husband???
On January 24th 2009, MAZ wrote:
Excellen choice for Michelle Obama, she chose the white dress to turn the camera capture to her dress instead of her face and body. It's greatly acceptable to many of us, as a first lady, definitely wear dress that other woman in the America would not choose of, this will stands out that her unique taste of fashion. Sometimes, if she chooses dress that fits her, but the same dress might of already weared by someone in the public appearance.
On January 25th 2009, valwayne wrote:
The dress was a disaster. It looked like a poor fitting cloth sack on her.
On January 25th 2009, Elaina wrote:
She is gorgeous, but the dress was awful. It should not have had a train, as they do work well with dancing. It looked ..too puffy..as though covered with wads of tissue–maybe there were beads, but all you could see was a WAY too wide shoulder strap, puffs that made her look chunky, and whatever heels she had on–and I love that she is tall–should have been shorter as she looked chunky and taller than her husband–neither of which is true of her–just how she looked. The day outfit color was interesting and cheerful, but the "bling" look seemed inappropriate in a recession era…But as for the evening gown–horrible…I kept hoping at each ball that she would come out in a different dress!
On January 25th 2009, Cheryl wrote:
Although I love the Obama's, I think using a new designer is about as dangerous as asking someone from Fashion Runway to design your dress for one of the most important days in your entire life!
I agree with those of you who wrote that it looked like she had toilet paper or feathers glued on. I made an angel costume at Christmas and it looked a lot like that. It also looked like it had cotton balls glued all over it.
Michelle needs to get away from gathered skirts and house dresses by day that look like they are from the 50's. She needs to stay with straight and chic dresses. Even the Inauguration outfit could have been so much more stylish. Stay away from bows and jewelry that doesn't look matched. The bling on the mustard yellow seemed mismatched, and the bow looked like it was made from bias tape.
When Michelle met the Bushes in the red dress, that day she looked stylish. That day she out-bushed Mrs. Bush. I want Michelle to look as great as she is.
We will have to elect Mr. Obama in four years again and give Michlle a chance for a do-over! I hope that Michelle hires a professional dresser, and never again comes to a ball in something that looks like it came from Goodwill. She should have glistened and looked fabulous that night, but, as many of you have said, the train was hard to dance with, and the strap looked like it was added on later. The dress might have looked pretty close up, but one has to take into effect what it looks like from afar, and from afar, it made her look fat and like she had a chinelle bedspread wrapped around her.
Why not strapless? Mariah Carey looked so great at the first party. That is how I wanted Michelle to look. The same thing is true of the election night dress that as someone said in a blog, "It looked like she had just slaughtered a moose." Maybe Michelle could borrow some of the dressers that the RNC used for Sarah Palin since they are probably out of work now. We need our first lady to be an absolute knock-out, and just because someone has "fashion sense" doesn't mean that the eye of a professional dresser shouldn't be used. Then her dresses will match her brilliant intellect and charismatic personality.
On January 25th 2009, fiasili saunoa wrote:
I just want to say something for those of you who are disrespecting the president of the united state…I just want to say that the dress that the first lady was wearing is BEAUTIFUL…..they both look very beautiful when they were dancing…..so stop making all those bad stuff about them but, I think she is more beautiful than all of you….be honest to yourself is it the dress or is it politics your talking about?????think before you all just say it…..GO GIRL, YOU LOOK SO BEAUTIFUL IN DAT DRESS, AND ALSO MR. PRESIDENT……U TWO MADE FOR EACH OTHER……FOR ALL HATERS OUT THERE JUST DO WHAT U R SUPPOSE TO DO…AND STOP BEING JEALOUS….
On January 26th 2009, deborah wrote:
The dress was awful! Beyonce dress was wonderful, she should try Beyonce mother for fashion.
On January 27th 2009, Fibermuse wrote:
The gown was hideous!!! Michelle displayed very poor taste in selecting that gown. Of course the media is comparing Michelle to Jackie Kennedy and trying to make us believe she's as classy and stylish. I have yet to see Michelle in a dress or suit that I find attactive or appealing. Jackie must be spinning in her grave. Whether you like Michelle or not isn't the issue. It's all about fashion sense which she is sorely lacking.
On January 27th 2009, ARB wrote:
The color and style are both unflattering on her. She looked like she lost her bust, gained in her waist, and had cotton balls stuck all over.
I think a jewel-toned, empire-waist gown would have looked stunning on her. She can do the one-shoulder thing if she wants, but just not on that dress!
On January 28th 2009, Susanne Larson wrote:
The gown is hideous and does nothing for her figure. The designer should have suggested something more flattering to her body type and it only makes the designer look bad when the body and design are a mismatch. I would have never let anyone looking like that out of my shop, especially if I wanted them to say they got it here.
On January 28th 2009, Jacri wrote:
Michelle should find herself a better designer with a long standing reputation. This newbie has no talent.
On January 28th 2009, joena lopez wrote:
I am a strong supporter of Obamas. However, let' our political support confound our judgment about her gown. Frankly, it sucks.!
On January 29th 2009, Christiana wrote:
I think she looks gr8!!! She's a kick butt first lady! =)
On January 30th 2009, Leslie Lishan Tinnin wrote:
I am with Whoopie. I was sorely disappointed with her selection. That dress was hideous and the color did nothing for her. She looks better with colors. I am not trying to be cruel, but I just think our First Lady looks better in warm colors. She needs a better hair stylist. Now her Inaugeration suit was classic and she wore it WELL. She is a statuesque, handsome woman. I wish well in his awesome journey as First Lady. Besides, we all have that "bad Dress" day. Bless Her
On February 5th 2009, marchant wrote:
Unfortunately Michelle Obama's selections for the Inaugural events failed to equal the grandness of the occasion and it was disappointing to say the least. As Tim Gunn would say, the choices were just sad. Looks like that new designer needs a little more classroom time because the ball gown certainly looked anything but regal and for such a significant event, it should have been nothing short of spectacularly breathtaking. Jill Biden's gown was definitely a more appropriately tasteful and sophisticated choice. Oh well, better luck next time.
On February 25th 2009, Linda Cartwright wrote:
How could anybody say she is pretty? She is too big & boney, big boney hips & wide abdomen is not femine at all and that puke yellow dress has GOT to be the uglyist thing ever! As far as the white dress goes, I liked it, but she doesn't compliment anything with that "too big, too wide, boney" body, poor woman that way!
On August 27th 2009, sanberna wrote:
It's not that it's an ugly dress, it's more that the WOMAN HERSELF is UGLY.
No dress can fix her ugly manly body and her disgraceous face!
On June 30th 2010, Catherine Woodward wrote:
Michelle Obama is a BEAUTIFUL woman and she is what I want to be as a black woman.
Michelle Obama is down to earth and good and caring person.
I disagree with the remark made on August 27th 2009. Her dress is beautiful and Michelle Obama (THE FIRST LADY) is STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL. Ms. Obama is the kind of woman I expire to be.