Chelly O The Fashionista: Mrs. Obama’s Best Campaign Trail Looks

June 18, 2008

Though Michelle Obama’s first ever guest-hosting stint on “The View” was highly anticipated because it was one of the first forums in which she was expected to address some of the criticism she had received on the campaign trail (and some of the criticism her husband’s campaign had received from conservative “View” co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck), it ended up being best remembered for what she wore, not what she said. Her black and white Donna Ricco summer purchased at the appropriately named White House Black Market sold out within a day of her “View” appearance.

August 28, 2008

It is a night Americans of all political stripes will never forget because history was made. On August 28, 2008 Barack Obama officially accepted the nomination to become the first African-American presidential nominee of a major political party. It’s also a night fashionistas will never forget, because it was the night Michelle Obama let the world know that she was not going to be your run-of-the-mill, pearl clutching, suit-wearing First Lady. She dazzled in a Thakoon cocktail dress.

October 13, 2010

In her first campaign appearance since her husband’s election Michelle Obama reminded Americans why we love seeing her on the campaign trail. Dazzling in a nearly fuchsia knit dress from Talbots, she also reminded us that you can be fashionable on a budget, particularly in this economy.

February 2, 2012

Though it’s fun to see the First Lady dressed up, it’s can be even more fun to see her dressed down. If for no other reason than it’s a nice reminder that we have a youthful, fun and cool First Lady. She definitely reminded us all of that with her appearance on “The Ellen Degeneres Show” which ended with a push-up contest between the two. I won’t give away who won the push-up contest, but the First Lady won the fashion contest of the day hands down, sporting a black Reed Krakoff leather blazer and Duro Olowu. She finished the look off with some faboo black jeans and sneakers.  Can you picture Hillary Clinton or Laura Bush pulling off that ensemble?

 

March 8, 2012

Much has been written about the boost the First Lady has given to up and coming and lesser known designers, but equally important is the boost she has given to designers of color, among them Tracy Reese. One of the few African-American female designers to find long-term mainstream success, Reese has emerged as an Obama favorite. This Tracy Reese dress, first worn at an appearance with the UK First Lady equivalent Samantha Cameron, was most recently worn by the First Lady to a fundraising dinner.

March 19, 2012

In her first ever appearance on “The Late Show with David Letterman” the First Lady did two things: almost cried when speaking of her family and looked fabulous in her fashion forward Preen dress. Not everyone can pull off color blocking patterns but she certainly can.

 

May 5, 2012

Back on the official campaign trail for her husband once again it appears Michelle Obama has returned to her roots. Sleeveless, bright, solid dresses made her a hit on the campaign trail in 2008 and it appears she will be sporting them in 2012. But another familiar fashion sighting from 2008 that has made a return? The brooch she wore in her keynote address at the Democratic National Convention. Perhaps it’s her lucky charm. We will see in November.