Michelle Obama's Fashion Home Run

Choice Of Outfit For Big Speech Widely Praised

(CBS)  Michelle Obama's big speech at the Democratic convention Monday night was being anticipated not just for what she'd say -- but for what she'd wear.

The would-be first lady's fashion flair is already grabbing attention -- she's being closely watched as a possible budding fashion icon -- and most observers the outfit she selected for the big event clicked.

Among those whose keen eyes were trained on Michelle is Laura Schwartz, a former adviser to the wife of former Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, Teresa Heinz Kerry. Schwartz also worked in the Clinton White House.

In the convention hall Tuesday, Schwartz told Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith Michelle "succeeded. (She did) exactly what she was going for, because today, we're talking about the message more than just the overall bling."

Schwartz was guessing Michelle would wear a dress, despite talk she'd wear a suit. "She looks fabulous in dresses," Schwartz explained, "and you know she's going to wear something she looks great in, that she feels confident in. And that's what we saw. And she pulled it off very, very well."

The dress, Schwartz says, expressed confidence and a sense of humility: "She didn't want to look too blinged-up. She didn't want to be too bright. I thought she was very simple, very understated, which might be a good idea because, in this era of attack ads, the McCain people are saying, 'Hey, the Obamas are elitist. They're caught up in celebrity.' If she came out in a real fancy dress, that would just be more fodder for them."

The dress was striking, Schwartz observed, but very calming in color -- a shade of blue-green, which evokes calm and trust.

Maria Pinto, a designer in the Obamas' hometown of Chicago, created the dress. Pinto built her company from the ground up and is another Chicago success story. Schwartz says Michelle may have picked her as her designer in part because Pinto also represents achieving the American dream, which is what Michelle wanted to portray herself and Barack as having done. Michelle has used Pinto for a long time.

The large pendant on the dress, Schwartz adds, came straight from Michelle's jewelry box, and was reminiscent of Barack's rising sun campagn logo. The pendant was placed over Michelle's heart, so it might have symbolized that her speech was coming straight from her heart.

The pendant could start a trend, Schwartz speculated, saying, "It was inspired. ... It's a neat look. Women all across the country can do it. It's a simple, V-neck, three-quarter-length sleeve, woll dress, it can be a Jersey knit -- add a pendant, you've got something different."

Once again, Michelle reminded onlookers of Jackie O, Schwartz says. She was wearing long, clean lines again, the length of the dress and even the sleeves looked like something Jackie O would have worn.

Women such as Michelle carefully plan what they wear to events like this one, Schwartz points out. They look at the background first and the stage they'll be speaking on to make sure their outfit compliments the surroundings.

It's likely that Michelle won't change her style if she makes it to the White House, Schwartz says. She already looks like a first lady; her style is so clean and elegant, she won't need to change anything.

[rkkirch]

Why is this news? Her outfit was picked by an army of fashionistas and political consultants. I doubt that she had little to say in her pick of clothes.
It''s all about the spin and I would say this about either party with this type of news. The idea here is to sell the candidate just like you sell cars or make up a disease to sell a new medication.
People, wake up! Our elections are no longer electing the best people but only a new version of American idol.

[jasonmcj]

Talking about issues doesn''t get rating or ad dollars huh CBS?

what are you the E! channel now. Are there no real jounalists left?

Pathetic CBS, pathetic.

[zoe102]

PLEASE!.....BEEN THERE, DONE THAT.....With the United States fighting in a war, the bad economy, the recession etc., etc., etc.,....YOU ARE WRITING ABOUT MICHELLE OBAMA''S OUTFITS......Maybe in the John F. Kennedy era, but today in the 21st century, I should hope we have moved beyond the petty......

[credibility2]

Since many like comparing Michelle''s "fashion" sense to that of Jackie or Nancy, I''d like to suggest that the color of her outfit blended too much with the background. And, would somebody please tone down her hideously pointed eyebrows, which I''m sure are drawn in rather than part of the natural hair growth. It makes her look to judgmental, brash and so not soft!

[nishaboston]

You people need to stop. This is just an article on her fashion. If you are not interested then don''t read the article.

[analiberwitz]

I loved her outfit. She looked fabulous. I am always amazed at her choices of clothing. She just has great style.

[whiskyrokkr]

I thought she looked very nice and I''m even voting for her husband.

[melbalini]

I''m a bit more concerned about the rampant spelling errors/typos above and beyond the admittedly inane subject matter.

Isn''t spell-check standard by this point? A little Shift+F7, people, please.

[awp215ps]

Anyone can look fantastic with professional makeup and expensive clothing. Big deal......

[proudameric5]

Is this really the type of journalism CBS has dropped to? Whats next? You guys should do a story on the Obama''s dog and how their dog is smarter and superior to other dogs. This journalistic garbage is ridiculous.

[proudameric5]

Is this really the type of journalism CBS has dropped to? Whats next? You guys should do a story on the Obama''s dog and how their dog is smarter and superior to other dogs. This journalistic garbage is ridiculous.

[yyzvilla]

I think this is very sad that instead of focusing on Michelle''s intellignece, education, grat speaking ability and her message; you instaed focus on something that should be on one of the tabloid news programs. This is also demeaning to Michelle as a woman. There are so many things going on in the world that deserve news attention and CBS chooses to spend its money and resources on tabloid journalism. This is sad.

[desert87505]

Your coverage of Michelle Obama''s choice of outfit while she makes an important speech is pathetic, superficial, and disrespectful. I hope your editors go back to journalism school to learn what is appropriate news coverage. If you want to cover female fashion, write for Vogue. Dirtbags!

[desert87505]

A woman makes a speech and you cover her wardrobe? That is pathetic, superficial, and disrespectful. I hope your editors go back to journalism school to learn what is appropriate news coverage. If you want to cover female fashion, write for Vogue. Dirtbags!

[rpmcestmoi]

JHChrist! This is so stupid. And to think you jerks get checks at the end of the week while people are losing their homes.

[mickey_02151]

Please remeember CBS news is no longer being run by the OLD CBS NEWS which was a premier news gathering group. It now is under the ENTERTAINMENT UMBRELLA OF CBS. Real news is secondary to this CBS news network.
Entertainment is the name of the game these days.
And it certainly shows in their reporting.

[puddin370]

I''m sure somewhere on this site there are articles about her speech. Try the Polictical section. This is the Beauty & Fashion area.

If she came out looking like a bag of trash, you wouldn''t be thinking about her speech. Dressing inappropriately would have distracted people from listening to her words. Have you people ever heard of the phrase, "The clothes make the man."? I liked her fashion and her speech.

[ltk01]

Shame on you CBS...this type of reporting is like the low power EU paparazzo, i.e., glitz and no substance...just bunkum for the unwashed masses.

[zack225-2009]

Sorry for all the morons who don''t realize we''re in a new century, fashion matters and is a huge business. Millions care how the first lady dresses. The clowns who wrote in about her looks just sound like a bunch of jealous bigots whose polyester panties are tight.

[zack225-2009]

Sorry for all the morons who don''t realize we''re in a new century, fashion matters and is a huge business. Millions care how the first lady dresses. The clowns who wrote in about her looks just sound like a bunch of jealous bigots whose polyester panties are tight.

[mecury69]

"And the nice speech her script writers wrote to suppress the real person behind her words!"
Posted by WellHell3 at 12:22 PM : Aug 26, 2008

She wrote the speech.

[squidliz]

This article is absolutely offensive and demeaning to Michelle and women everywhere. If I wanted to read about her fashion choices I would have picked up US Weekly or watched E! Michelle is an intelligent and respectable women who deserves to have her thoughtful speech reviewed. I am disappointed that CBS has actually sank this low. You are just as bad as Glamour for covering Hillary''s pantsuits.

[zack225-2009]

Sorry for all the morons who don''t realize we''re in a new century, fashion matters and is a huge business. Millions care how the first lady dresses. The clowns who wrote in about her looks just sound like a bunch of jealous bigots whose polyester panties are tight

[indepenedent]

Does anybody think that a speech she gave, written by another, is going to make us forget the "I have never been proud of my country" comment. Nice try, Michelle. Great delivery. No sale.

[excancuk]

Why don''t people face the reality about Mrs. Obama. She''s hardly a trend setter or graceful woman. Her personality and intelligence aside, she walks and looks like a linebacker. The Obamas are trying to appear Kennedyesque, but they''re far from it. I loved JFK and Jackie, and the Obama''s are not Kennedys.

[mecury69]

"written by another"
Posted by Indepenedent at 12:38 PM : Aug 26, 2008

She wrote the speech.

[one4bam]

If you insist on writing a fashion article, ask somebody for the correct terminology. What Michelle is wearing on her dress is a broach. A pendant is worn suspended on a chain around the neck...

[one4bam]

If you insist on writing a fashion article, ask somebody for the correct terminology. What Michelle is wearing on her dress is a broach. A pendant is worn suspended on a chain around the neck...

[ekugler1]

Michelle Obama is one classy lady. She''s smart, fun, down-to-earth and real. Shows in the way she speaks and in the way she dresses. Compare her to Cindy McCain -- YIKES. And yes, First Lady does matter. Can you imagine what foreign dignataries will think of Stepford-wife, so-reach-she-won''t-reveal-her-IRS-forms Cindy McCain. We really need international allies these days

[indepenedent]

"written by another"
Posted by Indepenedent at 12:38 PM : Aug 26, 2008

She wrote the speech.
Posted by mercury69

You were there? Are you REALLY that naive?

[evileena313]

My comment to the one writer is how can you assume that the Obama''s are trying to look or be "Kennedyesque"? I think that they are just being themselves. The only person that she (Michelle) needs to be concerned with, as far as her looks are concerned (to quote the same writer; "She looks like a linebacker") is her husband, "Barack"

[lgritz2]

This story is embarrassing. If you''re in the business of "news", run actual news about real topics and leave this kind of thing to publications that cover celebrity fashion. If this is the kind of thing you want to write, change your name and stop pretending it''s news. It demeans the idea of an informed public. Shame on you.

[indepenedent]

By the way, someone commented earlier that one of the Obama daughters was dressed "like a hooker."

While I see Obama and his wife for the phonies they are, they are legitimate targets. The children are NOT! Shame on anyone who would make such a statment regarding an innocent child!

[stet6430]

Check your sources! Michelle Obama never said "I have never been proud of my country" ...You sheep will believe anything you make up!

[rixmix98]

The clowns who wrote in about her looks just sound like a bunch of jealous bigots whose polyester panties are tight

Posted by Zack225 at 12:38 PM : Aug 26, 2008


hahahahaha! So true.

[staycalm]

I''m glad someone explained why the star pin was crooked...it was supposed to be over her heart and not at the V of her neckline. I think she looks good in dresses, great figure, and I liked the design of this dress but the neckline did not seem to fit smoothly and the point of V neckline seemed off center as well as the pin. It kind of looked homemade. Maybe that was to go with the feel of the speech which was very down home working class.

[jeffstersf]

You''re so bitter Indepenedent. Bad childhood?

The Obama''s phony? Not at all. So real. Can''t wait to have them both in the White House.

[repdemapart]

yeahhh.. but she needs to hire a make-up artist and a hairdresser..

She looks so ARTIPIKYAL !!!!

[repdemapart]

fashion home run my foot!!!!

betcha my bottom dollar... her fashion-sense (or lack thereof) is not original.. first, she tries to look like jackie O. now - i dunno !!!

[foxmulder33]

Hey RepDemApart! Please leave the fashion discussions to the ladies, unless that is your cup of tea.

[dnsallday]

Does anybody think that a speech she gave, written by another, is going to make us forget the "I have never been proud of my country" comment.Posted by Indepenedent
********************************************************* No I don''t think it will make the willfully ignorant forget that she was accused of saying that even if they were forced to actually listen to her give the speach, they will continue to believe what they chose. I heard the speach and that was not what she said, as most of the people who are perpetuating this lie are fully aware of.

[dnsallday]

Too bad her great fashion sense let her oldest daughter come on stage dressed like a hooker!

Posted by WellHell3 at 12:22 PM : Aug 26, 2008
********************************************************** sounds like you must have first hand experience in knowing how a hooker dresses.

[broadwayphi]

Michelle, you are beautiful.

[broadwayphi]

RCP Average

Obama
45.7

McCain
44.0

Obama +1.7

Sorry, neo-trolls. This is the national Poll of Polls. And it''s going UP for Obama since last night.

Plus the swing states are swinging into the Democratic column.

Read it and weep.

[whatithink-2009]

"Too bad her great fashion sense let her oldest daughter come on stage dressed like a hooker!

Posted by WellHell3 at 12:22 PM : Aug 26, 2008"



Somebody needs to stop letting the inmates at the Denver County Jail have access to the internet. Don''t you have a legal defense you need to be working on now that your plot to assassinate Obama has been foiled?

[dnsallday]

Not that it matters but I did think she looked very nice. What Is more important to me is that I believe Michelle is honest and caring.
She isn''t somebody who is so insecure that she feels she has to tear somebody else down to try and make herself look superior, like so many others do.

[gangesdak]

Michelle could be intelligent. But I would not call her beautiful by any stretch of imagination. Between Barack and her, Barack is the fair sexx. In most shots, she looked quite grumpy.

[whatithink-2009]

gangesdak,

And your opinion means what?

[puddin370]

I''d much rather have Michelle Obama as First Lady than Cindy McCain regardless of fashion.

Cindy is a recovered drug addict and theft. She stole durgs from her own medical aid foundation to feed her habit. But because she''s wealthy, she''s not a convicted felon. She the last person I want representing America to other countries.

[fedup_w_pols-2009]

They sure did "whiten" her up a lot last night. Shame that out of all the speech giving not a single one likely wrote their own speech. She could look like Shannon Tweed and have the intelligence of Einstein but who cares SHE IS NOT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT... What is the draw that makes people so star crossed in the eyes with these people? Do you honestly think they are the cure to all our ills? Change we can believe in followed by selecting a old guy that has been causing the problems we have now since I was born. Yeah thats change we can believe in.