Spring Break
Michelle Obamania hits the media
Natalie Abreu
Issue date: 4/15/09 Section: Focus
Itís the biggest, most-heated debate on the news these days, bigger than North Korea shooting missiles, bigger than the crisis in the Middle East. The seemingly hot topic? What was Michelle Obama wearing? Who does she think she is, Jackie Kennedy or something?
With her new, youthful yet classic approach to fashion, Michelle Obama certainly is on her way to becoming a definitive fashion icon in the new millennium. But the immense focus on coming out to the world as a fashionista during the Obamas' trip to Europe earlier this month (resembling that of the Kennedys' trip to Paris in 1961), seemed to be a bit on the crazed side.
Soon after Michelle Obama wore a sparkly cream J. Crew cardigan along with a mint green pencil skirt during an April visit to a Cancer Center in London, those items quickly began to sell out.
Throughout the Obamas' European trip, which included stops in France, England and Germany, Michelle Obama seemed to have a sportswear feel with a working class edge, with classic looks from diverse designers labels including J.Crew, Jason Wu and Isabel Toledo. For different occasions, all with a sense of ease that can be easily imitated, but hard to really "own" without the pure sense of confidence that seems to pour out of our First Lady.
But what makes Michelle Obama's wardrobe the center of attention? She embodies classic style with relatively simple pieces such as a cardigan, a pencil skirt or a dress, and adds a high end piece to it that elevates the outfit into something truly flattering and special. Her favorite belt, a black Azzedine Ala' piece, always seems to seal the deal with her outfits. Her use of color - from pinks, mint greens and yellows to simple red, white and black combinations - and the cut of her outfits, often baring her sculpture-like arms, also add to her youthful, yet classic, style.
Among Mrs. O's best looks during the European trip were the eye-popping, asymmetrical chocolate and turquoise argyle Junya Watanabe cardigan worn over a teal full-skirted Jason Wu dress, sported to an April 2 visit to the Royal Opera House in London; her black and white demure Isabel Toledo dress worn to visit Queen Elizabeth on April 1; a commanding black and pink dress with sheer black trim by Thakoon she wore in Germany on April 3; and a bright canary yellow Jason Wu dress topped with a streamlined black Michael Kors coat and the famous Azzedine Ala' black belt.
With her new, youthful yet classic approach to fashion, Michelle Obama certainly is on her way to becoming a definitive fashion icon in the new millennium. But the immense focus on coming out to the world as a fashionista during the Obamas' trip to Europe earlier this month (resembling that of the Kennedys' trip to Paris in 1961), seemed to be a bit on the crazed side.
Soon after Michelle Obama wore a sparkly cream J. Crew cardigan along with a mint green pencil skirt during an April visit to a Cancer Center in London, those items quickly began to sell out.
Throughout the Obamas' European trip, which included stops in France, England and Germany, Michelle Obama seemed to have a sportswear feel with a working class edge, with classic looks from diverse designers labels including J.Crew, Jason Wu and Isabel Toledo. For different occasions, all with a sense of ease that can be easily imitated, but hard to really "own" without the pure sense of confidence that seems to pour out of our First Lady.
But what makes Michelle Obama's wardrobe the center of attention? She embodies classic style with relatively simple pieces such as a cardigan, a pencil skirt or a dress, and adds a high end piece to it that elevates the outfit into something truly flattering and special. Her favorite belt, a black Azzedine Ala' piece, always seems to seal the deal with her outfits. Her use of color - from pinks, mint greens and yellows to simple red, white and black combinations - and the cut of her outfits, often baring her sculpture-like arms, also add to her youthful, yet classic, style.
Among Mrs. O's best looks during the European trip were the eye-popping, asymmetrical chocolate and turquoise argyle Junya Watanabe cardigan worn over a teal full-skirted Jason Wu dress, sported to an April 2 visit to the Royal Opera House in London; her black and white demure Isabel Toledo dress worn to visit Queen Elizabeth on April 1; a commanding black and pink dress with sheer black trim by Thakoon she wore in Germany on April 3; and a bright canary yellow Jason Wu dress topped with a streamlined black Michael Kors coat and the famous Azzedine Ala' black belt.
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