Obama's First State Dinner: The Fashion

By: Michelle Levi
Topics: Washington Unplugged

In a beautiful tent on the White House's South Lawn, celebrities, politicians and journalists toasted Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the Obama White House's first State Dinner.
CBS News' Nancy Cordes and Politico's Anne Schroeder Mullins and Patrick Gavin lamented that their invitations were "lost in the mail" but had plenty to say on "Washington Unplugged" on Wednesday.

The Obamas wanted "a larger than usual State Dinner," Gavin said. "President Bush held the one in 2005 indoors which limits you to about 150 guests or so but he wanted 320 guests or so which is why they had to construct that huge pavilion on the South Lawn. So the first thing we realize is most likely State Dinners going forward, depending on the delegation of the visiting country, will probably be on the South Lawn in a tent."

Photos: White House Arrivals
Photos: Scenes from the State Dinner

Described as the hottest ticket in town, the guest list of White House state dinner's can say a lot about a first couple. "We learned that Obama loves Hollywood and Hollywood loves Obama," Mullins said. "Washington has a very old school list of who should always be invited and I think the Obamas respect that but say we are going to do it this way."

Best dressed? New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg who donned a red bowtie, Gavin argued.

Cordes had another nominee...the first lady. "Let's talk about the dress," Cordes said, "because Michelle Obama was smokin' hot." Also on the list was CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric. "My boss has a great sense of style," Cordes said.

Washington insiders might not have as many glitzy dinners as Hollywood stars – but they cannot escape the occasional wardrobe malfunction. "Senator Bob Casey, Democrat from Pennsylvania, his cummerbund fell all the way down to the floor," Mullins dished.

Watch the full roundtable and see some of last night's highlights above.

Complete Coverage: Obama's First State Dinner
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See the Full Guest List