Critics Weigh In: Michelle Obama's Election Night Dress

By  LAUREN CRIGHTON

Updated 4:30 PM EDT, Thu, Nov 6, 2008

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

U.S. President elect Barack Obama with his wife Michelle and daughters on election night in Chicago.

 

Stop the presses: The always-last-to-the-party style writers at The New York Times have finally weighed in on the buzz surrounding Michelle Obama's election night dress (6:35PM on November 5, not exactly breaking news). In classic style-trumps-all fashion, Ruth La Ferla begins her post on The Caucus blog with: "Some of the most heated conversations on the morning after election night centered on Michelle Obama's dress." Really? Personally, we had a lot of other things to talk about, but hey, our mornings might differ.

While La Ferla tried not to take a definitive stand, it's been clear from the reaction across the Web that the dress wasn't really the 'style moment' some were hoping for. Wonkette called it "hell-colored" (harsh!), while Fashiontribes.com said it was definitely "a misstep" (and also posted a fabulous collection of her best outfits to date), but La Ferla's quick to point out that some applauded her decision to wear something by an more fashion-forward American designer—Narciso Rodriguez. Truth be told, it probably worked better in its initial incarnation on the runway at Rodriguez's Spring 2009 collection, though it was a bit racier. And the matchy-matchy black-and-red palette Mrs. Obama chose for herself and her two daughters might have been a bit much. But we'd take this over Hillary's rainbow pantsuits any day of the week.

Comments (23)

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  • gippee Friday, Nov 28 at 2:13 PM FLAG COMMENT I cant stop laughing at it being called hell dress and black widow looking.but whats funnier is, supporters are patheticly saying it represents african style. Ive seen african style once or twice,enough to know it does not look like that. its very classy and colorful. I like and appreciate it,yes,thats possible for a white girl. i like japenese silk too,an india dresses.and cowgirls,and spanish,and so forth and so on. this was ... MORE >
  • John Oakland Thursday, Nov 20 at 2:56 PM FLAG COMMENT The first impression I got from this dress was the red hourglass of a black widow spider. I thought, "Oh, this is a great image for the conservatives to work with." I think she would have done better to work some traditional African fabrics into a classic dress form.
  • Sister Yeye Olade Tuesday, Nov 18 at 9:05 AM FLAG COMMENT Michele Obama represented AFRICA AND a BLACK standard of Beauty that night! Her beautiful red/black creation reminded all Africans and conscious BLACKS of African tie dye! Her African bangles were bewitching! Her African earrings reflected the beauty of our BLACK heritage! Yeah white people couldn’t get it but we BLACK and proud African descendents got it! And Africans on the continent will get it! Your Blackamerican Sister wh ... MORE >
  • SISTER YEYE OLADE Tuesday, Nov 18 at 9:01 AM FLAG COMMENT SISTER YEYE AKILIMALI FUNUA OLADE Your comment is awaiting moderation. Michele Obama represented AFRICA AND a BLACK standard of Beauty that night! Her beautiful red/black creation reminded all Africans and conscious BLACKS of African tie dye! Her African bangles were bewitching! Her African earrings reflected the beauty of our BLACK heritage! Yeah white people couldn’t get it but we BLACK and proud African desendents got it! ... MORE >
  • MARGIE Sunday, Nov 16 at 11:01 AM FLAG COMMENT I STILL CANT BELIEVE SHE WEAR THIS RED N BLACK DRESS DID LOOK GOOD AT ALL ON HER

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