First Lady Style

The frenzy has died down a bit today, and now I can turn my attention to the "dress" that Michelle Obama wore election night. Shockingly, the Muse didn't see this as the most important issue of the evening. In fact, I don't think it enters top 10 or more. There is so much to discuss, so much change, but this is indeed a blog on style, so I will not focus on the politics of the evening but rather what the next first lady will demonstrate in terms of style. And even though the Muse is an ardent feminist, I can still get down with wanting a first lady (or first female President) to have the style and grace of Jackie O.

As the Obamas prepare to journey to the White House the comparisons to Camelot are plenty and rightly so. Michelle Obama is young, vibrant and beautiful and I think that we'll see four years of grace and style (I hope).

That said, she didn't get it right on election night. Yes, kudos to her for choosing Narciso Rodriguez an amazing American designer, but that dress was just wrong. I believe in taking fashion risks, it is what makes fashion fun and style personal. But it is also the thing that makes us laugh looking back at old photos -- that perm, those leggings, booties! Any of our photos last a lifetime, but for the next First Lady they will have a different kind of permanence -- historical. Considering, there are museum exhibits of Jackie's Presidential style, Mrs. Obama has quite the shoes to fill to be considering in the same company.

For this reason, I believe the dress was a mistake. Aside from the unflattering fit, and unfortunate cardigan. The dress itself was bold, too bold for election night. For a night that will go down in history books. When in doubt go classic. Always. There is a reason that certain items like the Little Black Dress have surpassed the trends, they fit, they flatter and they let the woman shine through (cheesy but true). While I'm not saying she needed to wear an LBD or something so simple, all the lines, the cardigan, the colors - it was too much for such a momentous occasion.

Andre Leon Talley, the editor at large for Vogue said in an insightful NY Times piece that Michelle “is not sitting around going through fashion look books and having confabs. She is just going through her closet and picking out what’s right for her.” While I'm not one to argue with Mr. Talley -- stylist or no stylist -- someone of this stature, of this public nature, needs a second and third opinion. And we cannot just believe she didn't plan, the entire Obama family is in perfectly matched shades of red and black.

Maybe she should have a shopping date with Carla Bruni who seems to be playing the card just right these days. Regardless of her choice Tuesday, I look forward to see her choices moving forward and am excited for the Inaugural Ball gown. And I think the message for the rest of us is that for the big moments simplicity let's the moment shine through.