They may be afraid to admit it openly, but many Americans who tuned in to the second inauguration of President Obama were just as excited about seeing what Michelle Obama would wear as they were about hearing the president’s inaugural address.
The first lady stunned again in her inimitable style, heading things off with her banging new hairstyle. Mrs. Obama first showed off her new bangs Jan. 17 –her birthday–sending the fashion world into a tizzy.
The hairdo topped a look that featured a navy silk jacquard dress and collarless coat, by designer Thom Browne. In fashion circles, the designer is known for menswear that features close-fitting silhouettes, trousers with high-water cuffs and zany fashion shows.
Browne, who launched his women’s wear line in 2011, said the dress was inspired by Michelle Obama herself.
“She has a really strong sensibility and style of her own,” he told The Los Angeles Times in a phone interview from Paris (where he showed his menswear collection Jan. 20). “And she likes well-tailored clothes so the inspiration was doing something that looked tailored and structured and fitted through the body and somewhat A-line for the skirt and the dress … something that’s as strong as she is as a person and as an individual.”
The fitted- bodice and flared coat, which was based on a necktie fabric, was paired with a necklace by Cathy Waterman, a cardigan by Reed Krakoff, J. Crew pumps and matching bejeweled belt. (After leaving church, she changed into Reed Krakoff boots and J. Crew gloves in a contrasting tone.)
Blue seemed to be the color of choice for the inaugural weekend.
In the Constitutionally-required Jan.20 oath of office ceremony in the Blue Room of the White House, the first lady wore a royal blue dress in an abstract print and her signature cardigan. The ensemble was created by Krakoff, an American designer and president and executive creative director of Coach.
