Michelle Obama’s Red Dress: Great Style, Bold Gesture

Fashion journalist Kate Betts says when she first saw the First Lady’s choice of another inaugural ball gown designed by Jason Wu, this time in red, she flashed back to Nancy Reagan’s signature “Reagan red.”

What was different about Michelle’s bold gown was that it was made of soft, flowy fabric. It was romantic and optimistic, Betts said, seeming to reflect her story with her husband, and her family’s life in the White House.

See also: First Lady gown curator talks inaugural fashions

The First Lady, in choosing the same designer, was not only making a fashion statement, but a style statement, Betts said. And as in all things politics, there’s a message in it.

“Every political image is calculated,” Betts told Here & Now. “I think that she wanted to make a bold gesture.”

Washington Post: First lady Michelle Obama serves as fashion icon

Guest:

Kate Betts, author of “Everyday Icon: Michelle Obama and the Power of Style.” She tweets @katebetts.

We welcome comments from all of our listeners. Post below. Please stay on topic and be civil. Comments may be moderated by us, but you are solely responsible for the content of your comments.

It

Beautiful lady. I wish she would pull back a little on the school lunch requirements. There is a line between teaching good nutrition and making sure kids eat. I was rasied on “brown and hot and lots of it.”