After she wore a sleeveless dress on "The View" in June, the black-and-white print with the nipped-in waist went from the TV talk show to sidewalks everywhere.
In July, Vanity Fair put her on its International Best-Dressed List for the second year in a row.
Other magazines, like a recent issue of People, flash her easy-to-wear outfits on newsstands and in grocery store checkout lines.
There's no guarantee Michelle Obama will get to be first lady, but she's already being held up as a first in fashion.
The buzz about her clothing confounds political pundits.
"If I was advising a candidate, I wouldn't spend two seconds on what his wife is wearing," said Brian Kirwin, a Virginia Beach-based political consultant. "But, with Obama needing the younger people to turn out, I would really make sure that the fashion statements were today and not yesterday."
Just how to achieve that currency is way beyond Kirwin's ken. He bowed to the expertise of Norfolk image consultant Sandy Dumont.
Helping people put their best feet forward is Dumont's passion. According to this image architect, Obama is doing everything right from top to bottom.
Obama's chin-length bob, worn turned under or flipped out, is perfect for her.
"When you have curly hair like that you don't have a lot of options. You either get a cut that falls into place or you straighten it," Dumont said.
Obama's simple sheaths, with or without matching jackets, send a confident message.
"I would have to liken her wardrobe to that of Jackie Kennedy," Dumont said. "They have a similar figure; not a slim waistline."
Dresses with gently curved seams or belts suggest an hourglass figure.
"She's wearing her skirts at a fashionable length," Dumont said. "There's nothing worse than women who don't want to look the least bit sexy so they wear their skirts at mid calf and it's dowdy."
"She likes jewel tones. They say, 'I'm not a wallflower, not shy and timid.' The jewel tones are more refined and classy. Food colors are more flashy - bright orange, lime green. They're not as elegant and refined. The colors
that she wears are very classy and flattering to her skin tone.
"That black and white dress that she wore that got so much attention was nondesigner," Dumont said. "That says, 'I don't need to spend a lot of money to look good.' "
Sometimes the candidate's wife adds strands of big beads.
"They say, 'I am bold; I make a statement about who I am,' " Dumont said. "That's called making a statement, where little pearls do not. They're very demure and not meant to be noticed too much."
According to Dumont, Obama has professed to never wearing stockings. Dumont addresses that issue at many corporate workshops and says the rules for stockings are changing. She tells her clients that bare legs may be seen as a bit promiscuous but that if a woman can appear
to be wearing stockings when she is not, she can get away with it.
Obama's evident fondness for open-toed shoes is also not corporate.
"But she's her own woman, doesn't like to be a conformist. She says, 'I like to have my own look,' " Dumont said. A good pedicure is the key to getting away with peep-toe pumps.
Any advice for the candidate's spouse?
Because Obama's look is monochromatic, with brown skin, brown eyes and dark brown hair, she should always wear lipstick, Dumont said. "Not to make her lips pop but to make her face pop. It makes the eyes stand out more when you have on lipstick."
Krys Stefansky, (757) 446-2732, krys.stefansky@pilotonline.com
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Media favoritism for Michelle Obama
The National Media is favoring Obama for President. Now, our local paper seems to be doing the same thing. Why are there no full page articles on Cindy McCain? She is certainly just as attractive and stylish as Michelle Obama.
Just like hubby
All show and no go. Is this a Vanity Fair article or what. What will she do next? Party with Lindsay, Britney, and the Olson Twins?
Jackie O and Michelle O
On further reflection, is it realistic to compare Jackie Kennedy and Michelle Obama? Jackie was 5'7" and Michelle is 5'11". Completely different.
When Jackie became First Lady, she was 31. If Michelle Obama becomes First Lady, she will be 42 or 43.
Educationally speaking, Jackie had a BA from The George Washington University and Michelle has a Bachelors from Princeton and a Havard Law Degree.
Jackie grew up in an extremely priviledged family...Michelle grew up on the South side of Chicago in a working class family.
Apart from the fact that they are/were two very stylish ladies, they are nothing whatsoever alike.
How incredibly rude.
I am stunned by the insults being heaped on Michelle Obama about her figure! Her caboose? Her thighs? No wonder so many girls grow up with body dysmorphic disorder! No matter how smart and educated they are, the ultimate judgement is on their figures!
Well
She is a very attractive women. I disagree on how her husband plans to make it rain lolly pops and gum drops, but she looks pretty good. Honestly though, if it were a deciding factor, Cindy McCain has an edge here.
M Obama
to adem:
No, I don't want you to think anything, because MO is not Jackie Onassis. I, in fact, highlighted the contrasts in response to a post. The author invited comparison in terms of both women's impact on fashion. But because someone criticizes his/her country doesn't make them unpatriotic. Then suddenly, Onassis has more class, presumably because she didn't speak about pride in her country, But she fled the country, married a Greek national, and returned to the states only after his death.I criticize this country because it's governments have not been saints. Doesn't mean I don't love my country. MO is not the first to experience a lack of pride in this country's history, and won't be the last. Disparaging her for it is like saying no one should speak up on injustices, real or perceived. People love their families but there are moments when a family member is not proud of the other. Many in Germany are not proud of that country's history. But they are proud to be Germans.
Jackie Onassis wore a pillbox hat and showed extraordinary courage as her husband lay bleeding and dying in her lap. But as far as her impact on the country in a truly significant way, I see nada. As
Michele Obama
gertz wrote:
"Jackie didn't have to open her mouth, as she was pure class just standing there. Never heard her say when JFK was running for office that she was proud of her country now. The article didn't state if her wardrobe contained clothes to hide the caboose that follows her."
So Michele Obama is to be pilloried because she DOES open her mouth? And that "caboose" remark intended to be an insult is actually a compliment. The days when flat-backs were desirable (to some, definately not all) are over. The bikini clad women I see in fashion mags and the like are quite full and round - so much so that celebrities work out constantly to achieve that full, rounded, eye-catching "caboose" that men so admire.
Jackie came up in a society where women were to be mostly seen, not heard. Michele Obama is an intelligent, frank, and well-educated women who is heard across the nation - there have been times in our history that I cannot be proud either - and when she is seen, she inspires a new fashion trends. Get over it.
Michelle Obama
To gertz:
Why doesn't MO compare to Jackie Onassis? What distinguishes Jackie vis-a-vis a politician's wife? Or maybe MO doesn't compare because she's not a photographer. What exactly did Jackie Onassis do that was so outstanding that Michelle Obama cannot be compared to her? I'm curious: your comment was so snappy that it seem to me to be driven by something other than fashion. The author was comparing Michelle Obama's sartorial splendor with that of Jackie Onassis in her day. But you replied something to the effect "It takes more than a dress...."; but the author was talking about exactly that - dress. I can compare the two. MO is a mother, so was JO; MO makes a fashion statement, so did JO. JO was a photographer (not a great one), MO is not. Are there some comparisons you care to contribute? I would love to know what they are.
She.....
is going to make a STUNNING first lady. I can't wait! January won't be here soon enough!
Let's see, you want us to
Let's see, you want us to think she is the next Jackie Kennedy...don't think so.
Unlike Michelle Obama, nobody ever had to question Jackie Kennedy's patriotism, she never called America a "down-right mean place."
brigitte~~~~No bee in my bonnet
I don't like either candidate, so I reserve the right to speak out against each. I resent the reference to MO and Mrs Kennedy. Like some one said Mrs. Kennedy was all class, I cannot say that about a woman who wants to be First Lady, and is just now "proud of her country". That comment, for all her education, was tacky, inappropriate and equal to a high school education. You can think of her as you will, trust me, I'll do the same.
change
oh that is the change they are talking about isn't it? put those two in office and you wont be able to afford a pretty dress,or would it be um mm lets drill off the US coast,how many times are you going to change your mind to suit your own needs.you like all other politicians are in it for yourself.the news media are selling you like like a corn flake commercial. get about another 15 years under your belt and then i will believe in any change you want to talk about.by what i have seen of you,you are a very lovely and elegant woman MO.
Haters!
The article is about FASHION. Cindy "Stepford Wife" McCain is also an attractive, stylish woman. I can give credit where credit is due. Each of these women have their own attributes w/o having to be compared to anyone, including Jackie who was not some goddess as everyon likes to portray her as. She was a wife and mother. Never mind the skeletons in Mrs. McCain's closet that the McCain camp seems to gloss over when they're bashing Michelle. I won't spell it out here. Just Google her and you'll get enough for a Lifetime movie script. Now here's a role model for our young girls.
By Far No Jackie
Jackie didn't have to open her mouth, as she was pure class just standing there. Never heard her say when JFK was running for office that she was proud of her country now. The article didn't state if her wardrobe contained clothes to hide the caboose that follows her.
Ohhhhhh, my.....
is there a bee in your bonnet, Gertz Point? Michelle Obama is an attractive, intelligent, modern woman and a loving, dedicated mother to her 2 children. I will be proud to call her our First Lady come January 2009!
Michelle Obama
You maam..are no Jack(ie) Kennedy...lol
Obama's Hair
"When you have curly hair like that you don't have a lot of options"
Curly Hair???? WHAT????
stop it
"I would have to liken her wardrobe to that of Jackie Kennedy," Dumont said. "They have a similar figure; not a slim waistline."
Michelle Obama is NO Jackie Kennedy, and never will be. It takes more than a dress to be compared to that First Lady, and MO doesn't hold a candle to her.