Michelle Obama, first lady of style

Move over, Carla Bruni, there's a new fashion first lady on the scene.

The black-and-red Narciso Rodriguez dress that Michelle Obama wore in Chicago last night was another daring fashion choice, a straight-from-the spring-runway style that she paired with a black cardigan. The blogs are burning up with opinions about it (most of them negative), but I liked it -- the symbolism of patriotic red bursting out of black like a firecracker out of the night sky.

Next to Jill Biden in her skirt suit, Obama looked like a breath of chic air. Something tells me that Washington is about to become a very stylish place.

The comparisons to Jackie Kennedy are really off the mark. Kennedy's style was rooted in Paris, in the haute couture dresses she worked with Oleg Cassini to replicate.

Michelle may know how to rock a strand of pearls, but she has her own approach to style. Over the past few months, she has mixed designer dresses from young American fashion talents such as Rodriguez and Thakoon Panichgul with cheap-chic finds from J. Crew and H&M, which is a much more modern way to dress than wearing head-to-toe designer. Even if you could afford to spend $150,000 in one month on a designer wardrobe, would you want to? Not if you are a sensible woman and a real fashion enthusiast, someone who enjoys the thrill of the hunt for that perfect $30 black-and-white Gap sundress Obama wore on the Fourth of July. (The Times' Stephanie Lysaght has pulled together a few fashion moments from the campaign here.)

Dresses are becoming a Michelle Obama signature. By choosing to wear them so much of the time, she has set herself apart from all the St. John pantsuit-wearing Washington insiders. Dresses look wonderful on her, accenting her height and her figure, showing off her legs. They are easy too, since you don't have to worry about a matching blouse or jacket.

Just think of all the designers salivating over the idea of making her inaugural gown. You can bet it won't be a traditional choice from Oscar de la Renta or Carolina Herrera, but it will be fabulous.

-- Booth.Moore@latimes.com

Booth Moore is the Los Angeles Times fashion critic

Photo: Joe Raedle / Getty Images

Comments

[tim snead]

I didn't like the criss-cross thing going on and the black back. The colors were vibrant, and the red fading into the black (or vice versa) was nice. It should have been red all around with the fade at top and bottom in complete circles.

She typed on her computer as she wore a stretched-out Tshirt and polyester pants.

[Sabrina]

I thought it was a nice break from the "traditional" suit that first ladies general wear. I've always thought Michelle Obama had good style and taste with remain true to herself. I look forward to seeing what she'll wear at the Inaugural ball.

[Jenny Hansen]

I did not like the dress at all on her. I understand wanting to make a statement, but I felt mixed about it. I like that she chooses simplicity and clothing items that are attainable to us, but this one didn't do it for me!

[Alain Le Brun]

I thought it was atrocious. Had there not been the belt or sash across the red, it might have carried.

In any case, she is a very good looking woman with an electric smile and strong grace. She will no doubt have much better fashion moments over time.

Not that it matters.

[JP]

This may be what's "chic" in LA, but she looks just like a black widow spider. First order of business when you get in the White House, Michelle: Fire your stylist.

[Therese]

Loved the gradual color flow from black to bright red. Hated the black sash in the middle--a brusque disruption of the flow. Was that part of the dress or was it added on?

[lyn]

i did not love the dress she chose to wear last nite but it made the statement of damn we won, it was a victory dress. i think she will dress in expensive clothes and in clothes from popular less expensive outfits as a first lady. i love her smile of i love my husband and family look and i think she is quite self confident as a woman. this is going to be so exciting to watch there lives unfold at the white house. i pray everyday for obama's safety and hope he has more security than any president has ever had. i want to love my country again and trust my president and for the world to have a greater opinion of us in the future. god bless america

[Steph W]

Unfortunately, I didn't like the dress--too halloween-y looking--maybe it would've worked better without that cardigan? But hey, it doesn't diminish the absolute love and admiration I have for the new first lady! I'm sure there will be more hits than misses to come!

[Bob]

Maybe the dress looks nice, up close...

[Allie]

The best part about Michelle Obama's fashion is the way the whole family matches. The girl's outfits from the convention were nothing short of adorable.

[desertwind]

I love the dress (and the matchy-matchy with the kids).

As a lawyer, Michelle probably has had her fill of suit-wearing.

PS - Booth, this is a lousy photo for judging the look!

[Dan in Arizona]

Was it just me and my wife, or were other people reminded of a black widow spider when they saw that dress? It was creepy!

[Sandy]

I like her fresh approach to life and fashion. I mix and match all the time. I am not a one sided coin and therefore, appreciate the blends.

For the most part, a true fashionista does not have a wardrobe filled with expensive outfits or accessories. But rather a collection of vintage, hot new stuff and classics.

Get over it! She is a beautiful woman all around!

[Gill's daughter]

From an X Designer's pov I believe the choice was excellent analytically, bcz for the billions of cameras upon her last night, the black side lining hid her larger hips & focused with the brilliant red into the center of her body. As this writer say's it gives the emotional impact of a fire works explosion for the future! & it's an American Designer! Go Michelle!

[olivia merlos]

Oh My Goodness! Get over it, are we that superficial that we are seeing living history in the making and we are talking a bout a DRESS...seriously people...Lets get things in prespective ......

[Jennifer Guzman]

I hated her dress !! I t was freaking hideous with a capital "H" !!! However, I do love the fact that history was made and Barack Obama was elected President ! I think Michelle Obama could have reconsidered her outfit.. come on lady your husband just won president ?!! And your gonna wear that ?! Hmm... everyone has different taste and styles...I think she could have looked better, appearance wise.

[anonymous]

Michelle is lovely. She is going to be one classy first lady.

[Jane Poordoe]

Wow a first lady that thinks for herself and outside the box. What a relief. It will be interesting to see if she can stave off the challenge and pressures to conform to mainstream womanhood and change the China patterns or play with the curtains.

It will even more interesting to see how the mainstream materialistic values handle someone making new artistic choices.

Do I hear the neurons screaming from the painful stretch marks already?

[Janet]

Michelle is neither a fashion plate or a trend setter. Her clothes can be seen anywhere. All comparisons between Michelle and Jackie O. are ridiculous because there is just no comparison. Having said that, does anyone really care what Michelle Obama wears? Perhaps we should wonder how much they cost?

[christine]

This is now the First Lady of the White House and our Country. I never thought of viewing her dress as patriotic red bursting out of black... you are right on though. What a classy couple they both are. I am really looking foward to the next few years of having class in the White House and most important, children. It's a new day and time for this country, and a long long time coming. Never have I been so proud to say I'M AMERICAN! I am still emotional today as I was last night. I pray for our new President Obama, may the Lord be with him always and protect him and his family.
God Bless America.