January 20, 2009 | 6:46
am
Michelle Obama has chosen a sparkling yellow dress and coat by Cuban American designer Isabel Toledo for the swearing-in ceremony in Washington today. Obama looks polished but celebratory in a shade of yellow that echoes the sunny day. Toledo attended FIT and Parsons in New York and has been designing under her own name in New York for more than 20 years. She's a fashion-insider favorite who sells at Barneys New York and is married to the fashion illustrator Ruben Toledo. Most recently, she was creative director of Anne Klein, where she presented a couple of wonderful collections on the runway in New York before being dismissed.
--Booth Moore
Photo: US President-elect Barack Obama and Michelle Obama depart Blair House en route to St. John's Church in Washington, DC, earlier this morning. EPA/RON SACHS/POOL
Rather disappointing choice for a woman who generally has excellent fashion sense. Going to have to kick it up a notch from this dowdy outfit if she wants to be the next Jackie/Diana (not saying she wants to be but an awful lot of people seem to want her to be). Will be interesting to see how fashionistas blog this one - if they will react with a First Lady "wears no clothes" isn't it wonderful mentality.
Posted by: LindyHop | January 20, 2009 at 07:30 AM
Better than the red and black dress, but still not anything great
Posted by: susan | January 20, 2009 at 08:43 AM
I like it, and I love the somewhat quirky choice of green kitten heels & green gloves.
Posted by: Mary A. | January 20, 2009 at 09:01 AM
Beautiful, stunning glamorous and fashions trend color yellow, of course! God Bless "The First Lady" she and her family bring a breath of fresh air and fashion to America's White House.
Posted by: Barbara Segal | January 20, 2009 at 09:02 AM
Give Michelle bonus points for wearing the Pantone 2009 color of the year. Not only is it cutting edge, but fresh and optimistic. She's gotta be freezing in that sorta coat when everyone else is wrapped in scarves & hats.
Posted by: Jana Pihota | January 20, 2009 at 09:18 AM
Great dress. You pull it First Lady Michelle. Not divally, not motherly, but polished, clean, all way round. I love those green gloves. You are a serious woman, Michelle. I salute you. Love the green shoes, coat. It's so cold, what else could you do.
Posted by: Tombi | January 20, 2009 at 09:19 AM
Love it. Love it. love the attire on Michelle. She is a big woman, and this fits her well. She is ready as First Lady.
Posted by: GG | January 20, 2009 at 09:20 AM
Michelle! Michelle! Michelle! Love your dress, shoes, gloves. Tell me you didn't break the bank. This is one for the recession. Calm dress. Not showy. Not distracting the event. This is a day for all eyes on Obama, so you pulled it well.
Posted by: Gail | January 20, 2009 at 09:23 AM
The dress is rather dull for the moment. It fails to accentuate her figure. This would be a dress for church, and not this memorable day. Too cold for the day.
Posted by: Nash | January 20, 2009 at 09:41 AM
Not a great dress for the day. Cool, okay. Michelle should support our national stores struggling in this economic situation by buying, buying, buying what most women could afford. Whose gonna afford a dress by Soledo?
Posted by: Angela | January 20, 2009 at 09:46 AM
Beautiful dress! It announces spring, birds, green, happiness, calm, peace, hope. Not strident nor dull, but elegant. What a savvy choice! Michelle rocks!
Posted by: Mary | January 20, 2009 at 10:20 AM
Not appropriate for the occasion, the weather, or the time of day. More prom-like than dressy winter day wear.
Color and sparkles were icky, green accessories yucky.
Mrs. Obama is an attractive and statuesque woman and needs someone with classic and good taste to dress her.
This designer is not the one.
A really poor choice.
Posted by: ponderer | January 20, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Beautiful dress! It announces spring, birds, green, happiness, calm, peace, hope. Not strident nor dull, but elegant. What a savvy choice! Michelle rocks!
Posted by: Mary | January 20, 2009 at 10:27 AM
Really did not like her dress at all. It did not suit the occasion. A great shaped, black coat with a terrific scarf would have been fine. And gold is not her color--it drowns her out. It also outshone her husband and she should have taken it down a knotch. I don't know who dresses this woman, but many first ladies don't catch on for a year or so.
Posted by: 2009lh | January 20, 2009 at 10:49 AM
Yuck. Gold brocade? Oh please. How inappropriate.
Someone needs to explain to Ms. Obama that she is now serving as First lady, not Queen.
A very poor choice, but what would you expect?
Posted by: inaugwatcher | January 20, 2009 at 10:52 AM
I was mesmerized by First Lady Obama's outfit. It was classy, trendy and most appropriate for the day. Her hair was soft and natural, little jewerly, tones of grean and yellow. LOVE THE COLORS. Fresh and such a trend setter. I can't wait to see how everyone will respond to the new color trend for the Fall.Congratulations Obamas!
Posted by: T.Rolle | January 20, 2009 at 11:29 AM
I was mesmerized by First Lady Obama's outfit. It was classy, trendy and most appropriate for the day. Her hair was soft and natural, little jewerly, tones of grean and yellow. LOVE THE COLORS. Fresh and such a trend setter. I can't wait to see how everyone will respond to the new color trend for the Fall.Congratulations Obamas!
Posted by: T.Rolle | January 20, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Beautiful and full of GRACE !
Posted by: Margie Williams | January 20, 2009 at 11:32 AM
Simply gorgeous! I loved Michelle Obama's dress. Does Ms. Toledo have half-sizes?
P. Cooper of Phila., PA
Posted by: Pearlene Cooper | January 20, 2009 at 11:36 AM
Simply gorgeous! I loved Michelle Obama's dress. Does Ms. Toledo have half-sizes?
P. Cooper of Phila., PA
Posted by: Pearlene Cooper | January 20, 2009 at 11:37 AM