Michelle Obama and Ann Romney are very attractive women. They have each delivered excellent speeches on behalf of their husbands before their national conventions. But, politics aside, let’s have a look at the fashion side of the story, just for fun.
The Lady in Red
A touch of red in attire is known to represent power. Just check out the frequently seen red ties on the men. Ann Romney surely took the red to heart when discussing her love for Mitt. Whether it was fire-engine red, tomato salad red, cherry red, or Nancy Reagan red has been debated. Mrs. Romney went for a classically first lady look in silk taffeta. It was flattering, face-framing, form-fitting, feminine, and with a hem hitting conservatively at the knee. The shape was definitively a 50s shirtwaist and it suited a handsome blonde of 63.
Oscar de la Renta
The dress Ann Romney wore to deliver her speech at the Republican National Convention in Tampa was from the pre-fall 2012 collection by designer Oscar de la Renta. Its cost is estimated at $2,500 based on similar looks from the same collection. This designer has been a safe go-to choice for the White House for decades, including Jacqueline Kennedy, Betty Ford, and Nancy Reagan, a first lady who loved to wear red. Hillary Clinton wore his dress for her husband’s inauguration as did Laura Bush, with de la Renta even dressing Jenna Bush for her wedding. However, Michelle Obama has not worn Oscar de la Renta, and he has publicly criticized some of her other choices.
The First Lady
By all accounts, Michelle Obama hit it out of the park as she strode onstage Tuesday night to deliver her speech at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte. At 5’11”, Mrs. Obama has a wide choice of styles and her choice was a hit. Since Michelle Obama has been known for high and low fashion, that is, she’d shop at Target, wear mainstream J. Crew and H&M labels, or wear up-and-coming designers. Everyone wondered where this pretty dress came from.
Tracy Reese
The dress was silky and flowy, fitted and understatedly floral, with a slight iridescent sheen. The designer is Tracy Reese, 48, an African-American woman from Detroit, the same age as Michelle Obama. Her clothes are sold at major department stores. Her dresses are priced around $250 to $350.
More J. Crew
Michelle Obama’s pink pumps came from J. Crew. Called Everly suede in rhubarb, they retail for $245. If you want to connect with middle-class women, you must hand it to Michelle Obama. By showcasing value, she demonstrated that you can look like a million dollars without spending it.
