Not since the Kennedy’s occupied the White House have fashion and politics merged once the Obama’s came to Washington. John F. Kennedy had a young, hip yet conservative style as he fancied pin stripe tailored suits from Brooks Brothers. When vacationing, he could often be spotted in khaki slacks, a basic white cotton button and those iconic Ray Ban Wayfarer sunglasses. Jackie Kennedy was the most elegant first lady in history up until the early 1960s and her status as such remained untouched for decades. Wearing designer gowns by Oleg Cassini, she was the embodiment of style and sophistication. Her trendsetting pillbox hat was designed by Halston while her jackets were Chanel inspired. In April of 2001, the Metropolitan Museum featured the ultimate first lady of style’s most famous outfits in an exhibit called Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years.
The Obama’s parallel the Kennedy’s in many ways. Not only are they are both Democrats and both brought small children into the White House, but there is an aura of elegance which surrounds the couple. President Barack Obama doesn’t just walk into a room; rather, he swaggers in with an unapologetic confidence. First Lady, Michelle Obama has a style that is uniquely her own and appears comfortable in her role.
Barack Obama is untouchably the sharpest dressed President the United States has ever had in the both the 20th and 21st centuries. Unlike Carter, Regan, HW Bush, Clinton or GW, he rocks the two piece suit with an undeniable coolness. Maybe it is because he prefers slim cut suits from legendary clothier, Burberry. While still Senator Obama and candidate Obama, he purchased his suits “off the rack”, but after he wrapped up the nomination he wore a custom made $1500 Hartmarx suit in navy blue made of 97% merino wool and 3% cashmere to the acceptance speech. Still not ready to embrace flat front slacks, his pants were pleated and cuffed – hey, he had to appeal to conservatives as well as liberals. The President also shops at Barneys of NY.
Attention to detail is important to the President and his wrist watch is evidence of this. No, it’s not a $20,000 Rolex or even a Movado, but rather it is a classic Jorg Gray known as the Series 6500 chronograph which is a sophisticated, but not flashy choice. As for ties, Obama sticks with classic solids and the occasional diagonal stripe for that “presidential” look. Like JFK, his choice in sunglasses is Ray Ban.
Now let’s talk about the latest style icon, Mrs. Barack Obama. From the get go, Michelle has been the most glamorous First Lady since Jackie O. Starting at the inauguration ceremony, she wore a stunning canary yellow dress and jacket by designer Isabel Toledo. Hours after the ceremony, The Dress barn and Bluefly.com were flooded with calls from women wanting a similar look for less. Since then, she has proven her style to be chic and sophisticated, but has never been pretentious. Rather than wearing established designer’s clothing, she leans towards up and coming designers such as Wu, Toledo, Narciso Rodriguez and Thakoon Panichgul which is ushering a new crop of talented clothing designers and giving them a platform from which they can establish themselves. For casual wear, often her choices are from the very affordable J. Crew.
In January of 2011, she made headlines when she wore a flaming red dress by Alexander McQueen to greet the People Republic of China. While she was criticized by legendary designer Oscar de la Renta for wearing a European designer’s gown while trying to encourage trade relations between the US and China, she still looked breathtaking. Besides, she wouldn’t wear Oscar anyway.
At the State of the Union address on January 25th, she redeemed herself by wearing a putty colored sheath dress by American designer by Rachel Roy. Her black and white ribbon was to honor the recent shooting victim Representative Gabrielle Giffords.
As appeared in Icongraphy the Magazine Spring 2011
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