# That DRESS, Mrs Obama... **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 5, 2008, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216 "2008-11-05T05:24:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/61 "2008-11-05T17:33:39Z")
> [@Wile\_E](#): > > All that air travel and you don’t think they may have found some time to join the Mile High Club? Now I’m wondering if Air Force One has any pencil marks on the walls.😃 ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/62 "2008-11-05T17:44:05Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > Now I’m wondering if Air Force One has any pencil marks on the walls.😃 Well, considering the current plane has been in use since Clinton was in office, I’m gonna say, “Yup!” 😉 ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/63 "2008-11-05T17:50:14Z")
> [@nyctea scandiaca](#): > > The first daughters’ dresses were cute though, and the youngest one’s corkscrew curls. Except for the whole straightening of the hair thing, yep. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/64 "2008-11-05T17:56:38Z")
I thought there was a bad light falling on her dress until it followed her around. I hope they assign a couture to her immediately. That was an ugly dress. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/65 "2008-11-05T18:13:37Z")
An ugly dress on a beautiful woman. ---
**Author:** ![maladroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@maladroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maladroit)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/66 "2008-11-05T18:19:40Z")
> [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](#): > > I kept hoping it looked better in person. That’s what I was thinking too. She always looks great, I thought this one probably just didn’t come across on tv ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/67 "2008-11-05T18:33:11Z")
> [@little\_bit](#): > > The dress is actually Narciso Rodriguez. [cite](http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2008/11/michelle_obama_wears_spring_20.html) > I don’t like it on the child/model on the runway either, but I actually like it _better_ on Michelle Obama Nope. Still hideous. But she’s stunning, so she can wear a potato sack for all I really care. I’m just thrilled she’s going to be our First Lady. And _I_ have [her autograph](http://www.flickr.com/photos/23298617@N05/2240080747/sizes/l/) - neener, neener! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/68 "2008-11-05T18:37:21Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > Except for the whole straightening of the hair thing, yep. Hmm. I don’t know. Black hair is versatile. It can be straightened, and it can be worn natural. No big deal that they choose to press and curl the babies’ hair. I personally would never straighten my own daughter’s hair, or mine for that matter, but that’s us. We aren’t the Obamas. I loved the dress on Michelle. I loved the black and red color scheme. Those are my favorite colors. And I have never heard that little girls shouldn’t wear black dresses. Someone should tell that to the woman that organizes the costumes for my daughter’s violin concerts. ---
**Author:** ![Eureka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/74df32/32.png) [@Eureka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eureka)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/69 "2008-11-05T18:46:06Z")
I didn’t see what the big deal was when I saw the stills, but watching too much Fox News election rehash this morning, it looked to me like she had a black sweater tied around the waist of a red dress–not a good look on anyone. (I was stuck watching Fox News while my car was repaired for about 3 hours). ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/70 "2008-11-05T19:31:29Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > Hmm. I don’t know. Black hair is versatile. It can be straightened, and it can be worn natural. No big deal that they choose to press and curl the babies’ hair. > > I personally would never straighten my own daughter’s hair, or mine for that matter, but that’s us. We aren’t the Obamas. Yeah, it was kind of an offhand nod to the idea that natural hair would have cost them some of their following. But then, I guess any candidate might compromise their style to look mainstream. And that’s probably how they’ve styled themselves all along. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/71 "2008-11-05T19:40:39Z")
First thing I said when they walked onto that runway was “Michelle, what are you WEARING?” It was terrible. An unusual misstep from a woman who almost always shows great taste. Not like it matters, though. I kind of love Michelle. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/72 "2008-11-05T20:08:31Z")
I think it’s the hyper shiny criss cross across the tummy thing that made the dress fail. Take that part off, and it would have looked fabulous. Sasha in black was stunning, and is it me or has Malia grown about a foot in the past six months?! ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/73 "2008-11-05T20:10:01Z")
A little girl in a plain black dress had better be at a funeral. If you want her to look dressy in black, add some white–a sash, a collar, cuffs. ---
**Author:** ![Jaade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/dfb087/32.png) [@Jaade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaade)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/74 "2008-11-05T20:17:39Z")
> [@Eureka](#): > > I didn’t see what the big deal was when I saw the stills, but watching too much Fox News election rehash this morning, it looked to me like she had a black sweater tied around the waist of a red dress–not a good look on anyone. > > (I was stuck watching Fox News while my car was repaired for about 3 hours). This is what I thought lasy night - red dress with a sweater tied around her waist. Even Euthanasiast said something about it, and he normally wouldn’t care. Hideous. If you think it looks ok and you have only seen the still shots, find a video recap, preferably when they first walked out on stage. ---
**Author:** ![Karyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/fbc32d/32.png) [@Karyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karyn)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/75 "2008-11-05T20:19:25Z")
I winced when I saw it but I bet she’s couldn’t care less about the criticism. Not many women get to respond to an insult about their bad taste in clothes with “Yeah, but now I get to be First Lady and you’re still shopping at WalMart.” ---
**Author:** ![Caricci](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Caricci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caricci)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/76 "2008-11-05T20:20:42Z")
It wasn’t such a pretty dress, no, but what a pretty family! The pictures posted here alone give me goose bumps. They all look so happy and the kids are so cute and they all matched nicely. So, I’d say, the dress alone was not so good, but in the big picture - perfect. Also, did anyone else notice her say “I love you” to the President-elect? What a contrast to the McCains. Yes, his speech was super-classy but it looked like he’d rather go back in the tiger box than hug his wife. ---
**Author:** ![Viridiana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Viridiana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Viridiana)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/77 "2008-11-05T20:37:01Z")
Eh, I think it was fine. It’s not the most classic thing, but affluent black women are often known for making bold fashion choices. I’d have picked something different myself, but it certainly popped for nighttime with that lighting. I think it was styled better on her than on the runway, actually. I thought the family looked great. ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/78 "2008-11-05T20:51:44Z")
deleted, repeat post. In posting as in fashion who, when among the truly stylish, au courant and fierce, wants to be associated with a knockoff of another poster. HIDEOUS DRESS. ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/79 "2008-11-05T21:00:54Z")
Another vote for “fugly”. I think it would have been much better without the black bandages around the waist, as just a slim shift of a dress. And without the little sweater. I quite liked the effect of the red fading into the black at the bottom. ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/80 "2008-11-05T21:02:36Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > Yeah, it was kind of an offhand nod to the idea that natural hair would have cost them some of their following. But then, I guess any candidate might compromise their style to look mainstream. And that’s probably how they’ve styled themselves all along. Not sure this is true at all. I’ve seen Malia in cornrows before, including that time the girls were actually interviewed. And just last week, Malia had her hair styled to look like dreadlocks. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216.md?page=5)