Ladies in Red
Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at 12:33 PM 
Image used with kind permission from Joe Beine
We are charmed by this photo of Mrs. O, taken on the campaign trail last October in Boulder, Colorado. The vibrant red provides a great punch of color and the asymmetrical neckline of her top gives a modern twist to a traditional sweater set. Her signature style brooch layers more red-the color of passion and heart-onto this ensemble.
Many previous First Ladies have enjoyed the color red in the past. The Heart Truth's First Lady Dress Collection showcases seven different bold-hued outfits once worn by a variety of First Ladies. The collection, which helps boost the public's awareness of the number one killer of women: heart disease, is currently on view for the third time at The National First Ladies Library in Canton, Ohio. (Previous viewings were in 2005 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and in 2007 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum.)
Evening gowns on display include a pleated Mary McFadden dress from Claudia (Lady Bird) Johnson, a chiffon Valentino design worn from Nancy Reagan, a gold-trimmed gown by Arnold Scassi from Barbara Bush, and a sequined Oscar de la Renta design from Laura Bush.
Daytime looks include a cashmere dress by Cliff Chally from Hillary Clinton and a crepe suit by Neiman Marcus from Betty Ford. And, although not included in this collection, Jacqueline Kennedy-who tended towards wearing white or pastel colors-donned a cherry red dress at a White House Christmas party in 1961.
Mrs. O loves purple, as we know, and she looks fantastic in various shades of blue. But she has also shown a fondness for red (her red and black Narcisco Rodriguez dress in Grant Park on election night, her coral red sheath by Maria Pinto when she went to meet the Bushes at the White House). So we expect to see more of her in this popular First Lady hue.
Reader Comments (8)
I like red on her, it pops (and I also love this picture of her).
What I really like is how she anchors the asymmetrical neckline with the brooch. Very clever use of both.
Kristan
http://jbu.phuzzymath.net
Slightly off topic, but I wonder what kinds of Christmas tree themes Mrs. O will pick...from the link it looks like there's a different theme every year. A lady with such a love of brooches has to to have good taste in ornaments! I vote for an eco-tree, myself...
Ah Mary McFadden- so many memories...
In my humble opinion, Michelle always looked her best in:
1.Red.
2.Aubergine *smirk*
3.Turquoise
And just when I put the brooch on the wall of shame along with shrugs, checkered biking shorts, and backward hats, Mrs. O brings it back with a fresh and new approach.
-MizzBella
www.zazzle.com/mizzbella
This is a fabulous picture. I'm glad to see the "return" of the pin.
very nice pic! Her vibrant personality and color really comes thru in red. I hope she continues to pick outfits in that color. Her use of the brooch is a decidedly delicious touch.
I said in a comment yesterday that my favorite look of hers was the blue Maria Pinto dress from the DNC. But now that I think about it, the red dress she wore to the White House is the all-time favorite. It made such a BOLD statement. I loved it.
Do you know the source of her brooch in this picture?