Michelle Obama in Isabel Toledo
Michelle Obama’s inaugural outfit, designed by Isabel Toledo, for the swearing in ceremony and speech at noon on January 20, is exactly why I am baffled over her new status as a fashion maven.
First, the color. Yes, yellow is a hot shade for the upcoming season and always flatters darker skin; however, it did not translate well on TV. In photographs it looks like an elegant golden yellow, but on television it became more of a yellow-green.
And speaking of green, what was up with the multiple shades of green accessories? Mrs. Obama’s biggest offense is her inability to grasp that accessories should compliment the outfit, coordinate with each other, and not over power the whole look. With the golden dress - did I mention that it had a matronly brocade and glitter texture? - she paired emerald green shoes and lime-ish sage green gloves. Don’t forget her jewelry 
either: a large diamond collar necklace that hung poorly, partially over the dress.
Designer Toledo said, on the Today Show, “I wanted a color that felt fresh. I wanted a color that had optimism. And I chose lace — in fact it’s wool lace — because it’s not a flat surface, it has all this depth — I felt it had more life to give her.”
The only accessory that she commented on was the green J. Crew gloves, calling them “perfect.” Toledo also claims that people begin begging for her designs the second Michelle walked out on stage. I, however, am not one of those folks.
January 21st, 2009 at 1:39 pm
I really thought the girls coats were so chic and cute too!
January 21st, 2009 at 1:53 pm
I actually thought the outfit worked, although not sure if it was the best choice for the event. Much preferred to the “black widow” dress.
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:31 am
She looked amazing, If you’re going to critique fashion, please know the difference between a “red clutch” and the box containing the Lincoln Bible. THAT is what Mrs. Obama was carrying out for the swearing in.
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:28 am
[...] Sasha, Aretha, and Jill’s Inaugural Fashion by Sally Andersen I knew when i wrote it that my negative opinion of Michelle Obama’s Isabel Toledo inaugural dress and outfit would be met with opposition. My stance has not changed - I do not think the look [...]
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:46 am
Thanks for pointing out the Bible/clutch mistake, Lorie!
January 26th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Hear hear. I love Michelle Obama, but I think the fashion “experts” in the media were bending over backwards to complement the outfit.