# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/81 "2008-11-05T21:15:34Z")
> [@Sattua](#): > > 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. Is this some regional or cultural thing? ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/82 "2008-11-05T21:25:48Z")
> [@Sattua](#): > > A little girl in a plain black dress had better be at a funeral. Or else the Secret Service will pop a cap in her ass or what? ---
**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, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/83 "2008-11-05T21:50:56Z")
> [@Caricci](#): > > Also, did anyone else notice her say “I love you” to the President-elect? I loved the arms around her waist with the interlocked fingers at her back. ---
**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, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/84 "2008-11-05T21:52:01Z")
> [@5-4-Fighting](#): > > 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. So, twists? That’s cool–I haven’t followed too many of the interviews so thanks for the info. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/85 "2008-11-05T22:30:57Z")
Another vote for “OMFG what are you wearing?!?” I don’t have a problem with Michelle wearing red and black to match her daughters, but there are plenty of red and black dresses that look a helluva lot better than that. It isn’t on Go Fug Yourself yet - I hope I can vote on it, since I couldn’t vote in the election. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![beanpod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9adbd/32.png) [@beanpod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beanpod)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/86 "2008-11-05T22:49:01Z")
I think the dress would have looked so much better if the entire body had been completely red. It was the odd placement of the dotted edges that got me. Entirely red with a black sash and lose the sweater? Awesome. That also would have been bold, I think. But whatever, it was…it was festive, and she had ample reason to celebrate! It definitely looked like fireworks. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/87 "2008-11-05T23:09:18Z")
> [@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. Regarding the girls’ hair, they usually wear it in “natural” styles. When it’s “straightened,” it just looks like they used a curling iron, which is no different from what I do with my hair whenever I’m going out (and I’m white). I don’t see the problem, it’s not like their hair is chemically relaxed. They’re girls, and they probably like to do their hair all sorts of different ways. [Malia in a very cute curl/braid/dred style (have no idea what to call it)](http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/550/slide_550_11775_large.jpg) [Another one](http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/557/slide_557_11895_large.jpg) [Malia in cute poofy natural hair](http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/550/slide_550_11759_large.jpg) [Malia in cornrows](http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/396/slide_396_10488_large.jpg) [More cornrows](http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gen/34110/original.jpg) [Sasha with natural hair, Malia in cornrows](http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/396/slide_396_10486_large.jpg) [Sasha in cute braids](http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/550/slide_550_11958_large.jpg) [Sasha in natural braided ponytail](http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/396/slide_396_10499_large.jpg) [The girls in curled hair](http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/396/slide_396_10494_large.jpg) [Another with the girls in curled (or straightened?) hair](http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/396/slide_396_10495_large.jpg) [Just one for sheer cuteness! Malia is getting to be a beautiful young woman!](http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/396/slide_396_10479_large.jpg) AND two articles about Michelle’s dress: [Michelle Obama’s Dress: In Defense Of Her Decision](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/verena-von-pfetten/michelle-obamas-dress-a-d_b_141477.html) [Michelle Obama’s Dress By Narcisco Rodriguez Kicks Off Style Craze](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/05/michelle-obamas-dress-kic_n_141455.html) And finally, a great [tender moment between Barack and Michelle.](http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/601/slide_601_12500_large.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/88 "2008-11-05T23:14:18Z")
nyctea scandiaca, thank you for all of those pics! I loved them. And I liked the dress. Something different than the boring old pantsuits everyone wears these days. ---
**Author:** ![Professor\_So\_And\_So](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/87869e/32.png) [@Professor\_So\_And\_So](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Professor_So_And_So)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/89 "2008-11-05T23:18:52Z")
Thanks for the information, **little\*bit**. I’ll be sure to bring that up to her the next time we’re in a crowded place together. She likes to pride herself on knowing (or pretending, as it were) _everything_ about fashion. It’s actually really annoying, but outside of that, she’s cool. ---
**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, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/90 "2008-11-05T23:26:07Z")
I had to laugh at myself after reading those articles. It serves me right to find out that I’m just out of touch with designer high fashion. I’d probably laugh at most runway outfits if I saw them out of context. I still think that she should have lost the sweater. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/91 "2008-11-05T23:55:53Z")
Narciso Rodriguez or not, on my TV she looked pregnant. Which is not a good look unless, y’know, you actually are pregnant. She looked better when she bought stuff at The Gap. ---
**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, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/92 "2008-11-05T23:59:11Z")
> [@nyctea scandiaca](#): > > [Michelle Obama’s Dress: In Defense Of Her Decision](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/verena-von-pfetten/michelle-obamas-dress-a-d_b_141477.html) Anybody who claims that’s the same dress is, at best, blind in at least one eye. Michelle Obama clearly had that dress custom made for her, as there are significant differences that cause it to look entirely different on her. First, she had the neckline re-cut much higher and rounder, and in pulling it up higher, raised the area of red across the top. Then she had the dress lengthened to hit her leg much lower than on the model, and the red front expanded down the front much, MUCH further. And then they either put a lining in it, or she wore a slip, because it’s utterly opaque compared to the sheer version on the model. With the increased size of the patches of red and the more solid-looking appearance, she looks like she’s wearing an _apron_. ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/93 "2008-11-06T00:06:28Z")
Man, that is a good looking family. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/94 "2008-11-06T00:24:46Z")
> [@Tuckerfan](#): > > Well, considering the current plane has been in use since Clinton was in office, I’m gonna say, “Yup!” 😉 What about Kennedy or Johnson-did they ever get to use it? (Oh, and Jackie didn’t wear Chanel-she wore Oleg Cassini.) Again, I wish MY hair was as versatile as the Obama girls. (As white as I am.) I cannot WAIT to see what Michelle wears to the inauguration. ---
**Author:** ![vix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a88e4f/32.png) [@vix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vix)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/95 "2008-11-06T00:26:13Z")
> [@scout1222](#): > > Man, that is a good looking family. Seriously. The fact that they so obviously love one another and are happy and comfortable together makes them even more attractive. ---
**Author:** ![Chief\_Pedant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@Chief\_Pedant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chief_Pedant)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/96 "2008-11-06T00:29:50Z")
Coupla other opinions: > **[Archive blogs](https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/)** > > Los Angeles Times blogs that were published between 2006 and 2013. > **[Home - Mrs.O - Follow the Fashion and Style of First Lady Michelle Obama](https://www.mrs-o.com/)** > > Mrs.O - Follow the Fashion and Style of First Lady Michelle Obama And just to be clear: I have a simple social rule: you don’t get to call ugly people ugly. You don’t call frumpy people frumpy. No comments here about Eleanor Roosevelt or Barbara Bush. On the other hand, attractive people are fair game for Important Observations such as the ones in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/97 "2008-11-06T00:32:25Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > What about Kennedy or Johnson-did they ever get to use it? Not the **current** plane designated as Air Force One, as that only entered into service in 1990. I dunno about LBJ, but I’m willing to bet that JFK carved more than a couple of notches into _his_ Air Force One plane walls. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/98 "2008-11-06T00:35:51Z")
> [@vix](#): > > Seriously. The fact that they so obviously love one another and are happy and comfortable together makes them even more attractive. You know what got me? The look on Michelle’s face right before they embraced. You could tell that she was worried about the burden which had been placed on his shoulders. It was an expression of humanity, not the stage face which politicians and their wives are expected to wear. I don’t think that she’s worried about him being able to **do** the task set before him, only that she’s afraid of what its going to do to him. ---
**Author:** ![Risha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5fc32e/32.png) [@Risha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Risha)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/99 "2008-11-06T01:01:17Z")
> [@nyctea scandiaca](#): > > [Just one for sheer cuteness! Malia is getting to be a beautiful young woman!](http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/396/slide_396_10479_large.jpg) Now _that’s_ a horrible dress! But the girls look wonderful. ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216/100 "2008-11-06T01:56:39Z")
> [@Risha](#): > > Now _that’s_ a horrible dress! But the girls look wonderful. Something tells me we’ve got a model or two on our hands, if they wanted to. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-dress-mrs-obama/471216.md?page=6)