Best Dressed
Monday, November 15, 2010 at 9:17 PM 
Vogue has released a special "Best Dressed" edition of the magazine, on newsstands November 15, filled with 129 delightfully glossy pages, six of which are dedicated to the first lady's style prowess. Featured Mrs. O looks include pieces by Moschino, Alaia, Talbots, Jean Paul Gaultier, Barbara Tfank, Narciso Rodriguez, Tracy Feith, Peter Som and Tracy Reese. The message is in the mix! The feature also includes a favorite new quote from Andre Leon Talley:
"Style is not an afterthought to this wife and mother committed to national service; whether she is frolicking on the White House lawn in Converse or at an awards dinner in Michael Kors scarlet chiffon, she always looks elegant and appropriate to the occasion and to our modern times. Obama has made an interest in and love of fashion -- having fun with it, the way it can make one feel good about oneself -- accessible to all. But beyond her wardrobe, it is her confidence, sense of purpose, and grace she wears best of all."
Update: You can vote for Mrs. O as best dressed on Vogue.com, HERE. As of Wednesday evening, the first lady is trailing Lady Gaga, 290 to 3712. Oh dear!
Reader Comments (17)
Well said! Thank you Andre Leon Talley, you've verbalized what many of us have been saying or wished we had said over the past 3 years. Brava, to the First Lady for being "First" once again.
I would have been shocked if she was not on that list.
Love it and perfectly stated imo.
Amen Andre!
She is an amazing woman in every sense of the word. I adore Michelle Obama!
By the way, that was a Ports 1961 dress (with the ties in the back), she wore in the photo where she boards the plane leaving India with our wonderful President.
Fantabolous!! Imma go and get my copy today!!!!
p.s. I have a girl crush on Blake Lively!! (hope I dont read abt her in rehab for something!)
BEST DRESSED IN DEED!!!! Which designer will have the esteemed pleasure of creating the ensemble and hat that Mrs O will wear to the ROYAL WEDDING in 2011?? I kinda think Mrs O will take her two daughters to this event. It will be a life time event for all who attend. Wish that I was rich and famous!!!!!!
How in god's name did Lady Gaga get put on a best dressed list??????
New Outfit Alert: http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/106912802/AFP
Mrs. T, I don't know if you have the rights to the pic, but it's pretty cute; it's a sweater/broach combo.
@ babs anyone who wears a dress made of meat should be on every list that exists not just a fashion list LOL!
Lady Gaga is on that list? WHY?! She must have been nominated for best Halloween costume all day, every day.
Wow, Michelle made the list...nothing suprising there. Eloquently, put Mr. Talley...she is who she is, a wonderful, fashionable modern First Lady. Lady Gaga...????
On the Lady Gaga note .... I recently had the opportunity to participate in a blogger roundtable hosted by Isaac Mizrahi (a dream!) and this very topic came up, in advance of the Vogue Best Dressed special issue. I was in the same camp as many of you ... asserting that I didn't consider Lady Gaga to be all that influential in fashion, as she is really about performance and costume and the theatre of it all. Mr. Mizrahi countered that Lady Gaga is the equivalent of haute couture in the fashion world. It's impractical and extravagant, but it's also inspiration. Just as fashion needs both ready-to-wear and haute couture, the world needs relatable fashion icons like Michelle Obama AND more outrageous inspiration like Lady Gaga.
A few years ago, I saw a PBS special on haute couture and the women who actually wear and covet these works of art. That special included footage of Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, Vivenne Westwood, Karl Lagerfeld, Christian Lacroix and so many others. It was exhilarating and incredibly fascinating to watch these garments being made and ordered. I'd often wondered about that part of fashion and how and why it was/is relevant. But after watching that episode, I was more appreciative of what goes into couture garments. Granted, only a minute fraction of the population can afford these clothes, but those that were profiled sure took it seriously and enjoyed their investments, that just what they called them. Even though they may not be relatable to the masses, they sure are works to behold. I can see where Lady Gaga would make the list even though I don't get her music, her fashion is part of her overall package.
Anyway, I'm glad that our Michelle is being recognized more and more for her fashion sense. She moves gracefully in and out of fashion categories with the greatest of ease, humility and grace. Bravo Vogue, well done!
I checked out the rest of the list once I saw that Lady Gaga was on it. It is clear to me the Mrs. Obama should not be in such company. IMO it is an insult to the First Lady. Lady Gaga wears costumes, not fashion. VOGUE has taken a wrong turn as a leader in fashion.
I will not substantiate this poll with vote....though if I were to vote, based on the list, I'd vote for FLOTUS.
Well, I voted and voted for Mrs. Obama. She came in third---but was the only real woman in the running.
I agree that the First Lady looks great in tailored suits and dresses. I don't prefer her in belts. I am amazed at how beautiful her skin always looks, given the pressure that she is under at all times.
Never have I been so interested in the fashion of a First Lady until Mrs. Obama came on the scene.
Thanks to Mrs. T and the creators of this website. It is lovely!