Inauguration Day 2013: First lady Michelle Obama's fashion choices

President Barack Obama, waves as he walks with his daughters Sasha and Malia, first lady Michelle Obama to St. John's Church in Washington, Jan. 21, 2013. / AP

The first family headed out to Monday's inaugural festivities with Michelle Obama leading a very coordinated fashion parade in a navy-silk, checkered-patterned coat and dress by Thom Browne that were inspired by a menswear necktie.

• Complete Coverage: The Presidential Inauguration 2013
• Beyonce, Katy Perry to perform at star-studded inauguration
• Designers dish on first lady fashion of the past

The rest of her Inauguration Day outfit included a belt and shoes from J. Crew, necklace by Cathy Waterman and a cardigan by Reed Krakoff, whose ensemble she also wore to yesterday's intimate, indoor swearing-in ceremony. After church, Mrs. Obama changed into a pair of Reed Krakoff boots and added a pair of J. Crew gloves to her ensemble.

President Barack Obama wore a blue tie with his white shirt, dark suit and overcoat. Malia Obama had on a plum-colored J. Crew coat with the hemline of an electric-blue dress peeking out and a burgundy-colored scarf, and her younger sister Sasha had on a Kate Spade coat and dress in a similar purple shade.

16 Photos

First lady Inauguration Day fashion

"It is an honor that Sasha Obama chose to wear Kate Spade New York," said the company's creative director, Deborah Lloyd, in an email to the Associated Press. "She epitomizes the youthful optimism and colorful spirit of the brand. We are so proud to have been a part of this historic moment."

Jenna Lyons, creative director of J. Crew, said it was "a huge point of pride for all of us" to be a part of the day -- as the brand was back in 2009 when the girls wore outfits by CrewCuts, its children's label.

"It's amazing to see the evolution of the family. I love the way Michelle looks. She looks beautiful in something so clean and tailored. It's such an elegant choice," Lyons said, "and they all look so sophisticated! You can see how the girls have grown up in the four years, and they're still so alive and vibrant, but more sophisticated."

Mrs. Obama has worn Browne's designs for other occasions, including a gray dress with black lace overlay to one of the presidential debates last fall, and she honored him last summer at the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt National Design Awards for his contribution to fashion.

Browne made his name in modern -- very modern -- menswear, but he launched womenswear in 2011. He was in Paris on Monday, having just finished up previews of his fall men's collection, and wasn't immediately available for comment.

50 Photos

Michelle Obama: First Lady

Simon Collins, dean of the school of fashion at Parsons The New School for Design in New York, said the Obamas dressed in their typical fashion: one that shows pride in their appearance.

"They are a stylish couple and their children look fabulous. Too many people get dressed in the dark," he said. "They show it's good to dress up, take pride in how you look. ... It's a wonderful example for America and the rest of the world."

He also noted that the Obamas seem to understand that the fashion industry is a driving force in the U.S. economy and that its lobby is a powerful one. They don't treat fashion frivolously, he observed.

But Collins said he was a bit surprised the public doesn't pay much attention to the president's wardrobe. He joked that Obama should perhaps try one of Browne's signature shrunken suits - the ones that show a man's ankles.

At the end of the Inaugural festivities, Mrs. Obama's outfit and accompanying accessories will go to the National Archives.

On Sunday, Mrs. Obama donned a royal blue dress and cardigan by American designer Reed Krakoff at the president's swearing-in ceremony.

[jastronghold]

How many homeless children could have been cared for by the cost of this dress? How many starving children could have been fed? This is excess to the extreme! Would this country not be a better place if all of the people posting to this admiring the first lady's fashion statement instead took pity on the poor and destitute in the country? Certainly many would sleep a more peaceful sleep if they did. FOR SHAME!

[CookieLavaJada]

I think the bangs the boots the belt and the jacket combined made for a stunning, classy, sharp and snazzy ensemble...many of you are not accustomed to the black body what works for Laura bushes body will not work on Michelle Obama's body...she looked impressively magnificent yesterday...

[CookieLavaJada]

I think the bangs the boots the belt and the jacket combined made for a stunning, classy, sharp and snazzy ensemble...many of you are not accustomed to the black body what works for Laura bushes body will not work on Michelle Obama's body...she looked impressively magnificent yesterday...

[democracy8]

"Haters gonna hate" as the saying goes...

[DemoLuv87]

Yes...love them!!! One of the most beautiful couples we have ever had in the white house!

[catmomtx]

What exactly does this have to do with Algeria? I mean with all due respects for those that died, would you rather the President cancel his inauguration and send and start a war in Algeria? Would that make you happy or would all the people who would start whining, bi!ching and moaning that the President started a war in Algeria make you happier?

[carsonky]

Glad to see the Obama's have spent our money on nice looking clothes..

[Barry-been-inhalin]

Michelle Obama caught on camera today rolling her eyes at John Boenher while he is speaking to her husband. It is also notable to mention she looks like a cow at a trough shoveling in her 3000 calorie lunch while hunched over the table with her elbow resting on it.
Keepin it Classy Michelle. LOL


www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2013/01/21/first_lady_rolls_her_eyes_at_boehner_as_he_jokes_with_president.html

[b365]

SO negative...

[zionsfruit]

I know that the facts are rarely of any importance when the American public participates in tearing apart the character, image, life etc of not only our leaders but celebrities I thought I would interject. 1.)She was not expressing disdain towards Boenher(even though no one cares about that because it makes it less gossip worthy so let's just stick with the lie) and 2.) she does not have her elbow on the table. 3..now this one is going to hurt, she is still going to be the First Lady of the United States when the clock strikes midnight, so get over it.

[bobbynorwich22]

The coat is beautiful and elegant, but why did she ruin it by adding a belt? She is so short-waisted and the high belt calls attention to that. Same thing with the shrug half-sweater, the last thing she should wear. I don't get it, doesn't she have a stylist?

[raflin1]

Oh please. She has more style in her little finger than you have in your entire body. She's getting RAVES from every stylist for her inaugural clothes.

[b365]

Who is yours? Obviously you have no idea about style.

[Wildwood1966]

I have seen her in many things that are elegant - however I do not care for the bangs - it makes her look older and puts more spotlight on her nose - old hairdo much nicer

[Barry-been-inhalin]

Mmmhhm.....thats what I'm sayin.

[raflin1]

Time for you to see your optometrist WILDWOOD. The bangs make her long 10 years YOUNGER.