Michelle Obama’s Inauguration Ball Dress: Love It or Leave It?
January 20th, 2009 by Evil Beet
I went over to my mom’s tonight to watch American Idol, but she first made me watch Big Bang Theory, which is like her favorite show in the world. Honestly my mom is slowly turning into an old person, and I can tell because she says things like, “Oh, I just love this show. I laugh at it every week.” And it reminds me of this old nanny we used to have who had to put us down for our naps by noon exactly so that she could watch her “stories.” And if we refused to nap we would have to come sit very, very quietly on the couch while she watched the soaps. “Miss Marie just loves her stories,” she would tell us, and my mom talks about Big Bang Theory using the same tone of voice. Anyway, Big Bang Theory actually turns out be quite hilarious, despite the involvement of both Kaley Cuoco and the guy who dated Darlene on Roseanne.
There is a point here, and the point is that, at the end of Big Bang Theory, my mom was like, “Now we have to watch CNN for a minute. I have to see what dress Michelle wore to the ball.” Now, this is coming from a former bra-burner who refuses to wear makeup and didn’t change her last name when she got married. That is when I knew officially that the entire world cared about this dress.
So … what do we think?
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I dont like it. She’s such a beautiful woman and the dress really dosnt flatter her.
lol are we looking at the same person
DITTO. That dress looks like a Project Runway 3rd runner up.
All I kept thinking all night watching them dance, and the obvious love and admiration they have for each other is, how hot was the sex going to be between them last night (or more to the point early this morning.) I swear I am not a pervert but all I can see is them naked with Michelle singing “Mr President” to Barack in a Marilyn Monroe voice.
Hum, maybe this just all means I need to get laid ; )
LOL!! That’s awesome, what a visual…
LMFAO.
LOL! Good to know I’m not the only thinking the same thing lol. Mr. President. . .
me too!! well i didn’t really think about them naked, but i did think about what kind of steamy fun sex they must have, lol.
The problem is she is too educated to deal with the “fashion” aspect of this thing. Fire the stylist and hire somebody that can take this thing to the next level. This ain’t it.
Unfortunately both the green and the white dress…were ugly. The dress, bless her heart…that she is wearing at the church service right now….ugly too.
THe dresss was pretty, but not on her. It was a dress made for a stick-thin 20-something actress, not a healthy 40-something First Lady. I agree it looked wedding-y. A darker, richer color in an A-line would have flattered her more
OK
I love this dress. Even more, I love the look on Obama’s face as he looks at his wife. So in love!
The body language as Obama walked Bush out the the helicopter was really interesting to me. Barack and Michelle were holding hands like sweethearts and equals, while Laura had her hand around George’s arm in a much more formal, traditional way. I’m probably making inferences that aren’t there, but I thought it spoke to the relationship that these couples have.
I really like Barack’s attitude toward his wife. He really seems to value her as a wife and friend.
i had the exact same visual, they are so in love, and show it with everything they do, and i actually liked both dresses! they both looked stunning last night though!
The lady is smart and appears to be nice. However, any question about whether she has any sense of fashion that works for her bulky figure was put to rest by her decision to wear that Ball dress.
She had one chance to make her most important fashion statement, and she blew it. How sad that she did not consult with a few people and veto this dress. Finally, she we have the right to be critical of her attire since she now will be representing our country.
All of Europe was no doubt shocked by this pathetic dress that would not work for any First Lady, much less one with her figure. She should never ever wear a sleeveless gown with her large and bulky upper body.
I wish them the best, even though I did not vote for Obama, but she simply needs to be much more careful in her fashion choices. She now
has blown it with both the Red dress and this one. How sad.
bulky? give me a break. just because she’s not 60 pounds doesn’t make her ‘bulky’. i think she looks very toned and fit.
All of Europe was no doubt shocked by this dress?
Oh really?
well what the hell does allof Europe do when the Queen busts out in tacky hats? More so what does Europe do when the see Beatrices face?
Im not quite sure people give a fat shit what all of europe did when they saw this. As if you dont have more things to worry about.
BULKY????? WTF Dude, just because you can’t make it with a woman (or truth be known are probably afraid to) you can’t justify such an attitude toward women! SHUT UP you loser fag!!!
Please girl, quite being such a snarky bitch.
The gay men that “run” the fashion industry may be able to use these kinds of comments to twist the brainless female celebs into an anorexic frenzy…come’on – she’s Ivy league, literally.
Is this all you have to complain about? How sad
OH COME *ON* PEOPLE … GROW. UP.
Fyi bulky does NOT mean fat. Sure she’s not an anorexic model but she isn’t what you’d call limber either. Bulky is just a description of her physique and it’s not demeaning or insulting in any way. So yes, she IS bulky and no that dress did NOT work for her.
What’s more, I don’t think it would even work for an anorexic model. Seriously the thing drapes with the grace of a curtain and what are those little balls stuck all over the place? Also, it was pretty apparent that it was meant to be a strapless but (for whatever the reason) didn’t work so the added a last minute, very unesthetic rag to hold it in place. THE SEAM WAS EVEN WEARING DOWN AT THE BACK! And don’t even get me started on the tail. “Etherial quality” my ***, how was she even supposed to dance with that thing?
Seriously, her fashion advisers (if that was their decision) crashed and burned with that. She’s a beautiful woman, bulky like a lioness (aren’t lions beautiful) and deserved a much more fitting garment for such a special night.
For your information the designer himself said that the dress was designed for Michelle herself. hence the strap you complain about was part of the deal. I thought she looked adorable, and Barack obviously did as well.
As far as the foreign couture, I really think that what they think is probably not worth the time mentioning it. The foreign press and the world are in love with our new first family.
Also, Michelle is a strong person and has great shoulders, arms, legs, and her strength is demonstrated by her ability to choose and wear what she likes (and what she knows would please her husband!!!).
Get real people, this is one woman you will not be able to hassle. She is her own person and if she wants to look like a bride for her first night in the White House then that is her delightful choice!
she has a tremendo culo. no bulk up top. Did you see those arms? Can you remember the last first lady who so obviously does weights on a regular basis? Get over yourself – she is hot, carries some weight below the belt, and made a bold choice anyway.
I don’t love the style. I do, however, think Michelle pulled it off amazingly.
You know, there’s something off to me about the proportions of this dress on her figure. I can’t put my finger on the problem though. Her hourglass looks distorted.
The dress was okay. Not striking enough for me.
M
That’s what i thought right away, too.
Gee I’d hate for her to be any more subtle. Nothing says “hey look at me i’m black” more than wearing a white freakin dress.
By the way it reminds me more of a wedding dress.
And to tell you the truth it doesn’t suit her figure.
i think everyone knows she’s black at this point….i seriously doubt a white dress was purposely chosen to make that clear…
Change we can believe in. Hmm. How about…..instead of spending all that money on the affair they did something that was actually different & held the thing at a homeless shelter where everyone volunteered for an hour in plain clothes while serving the public. The only change so far is that they have spent about three times more on this useless self-aggrandizing bullshit than previous administrations.
give me a break.
So so totally true! I agree 100%. Instead bailing out every Tom Dick and Harriett they could have put this well over $30 million dollar affair to much better use! I’m ashamed at the amount of money that was spent on this!
are you seriously saying that?…not only has he just became the new President, hes the first African American President, and he has everyright to have a party like the ones he had. and every other president has had one how come you arnt complaining about Bush’s ball that he had?….
It wasn’t “taxpayer money”. It was all funded by private donations.
@ erin: so funny that they’d rather donate their ~hard-earned money~ to a frivolous event than to sick kids or something.
@ irene: he’s just as white as he is black! if not more!
ooh, also.. no one is complaining about bush’s ball because back then i believe we were in a surplus. :)
What would a surplus have to do with anything if it (mostly) wasnt funded by tax payers. People who want to donate to celebrate the monumental moment of electing our first (half) black president are more than welcome to do so. it is their money after all.
i thought they both looked amazing.
@ getyouradverbshere: everyone has a big, expensive ball…i’m sure you didn’t criticize bush for and suggest he hold it in a homeless shelter. get over it.
You’re sure I didn’t criticize Bush? lol…Dear God. This has nothing to do with party lines. That you assume I am a Republican or supported Bush is silly. We’ll see how long you and others keep the “get over it” (i.e., ignore the obvious) mentality during the next eight years. My point still stands: These people sold themselves on supporting the common man and not caring about elitism, yet they are both very wealthy lawyers who are already outspending their much-criticized right-wing adversaries. Come on, they bashed the hell out of the McCains for having seven homes, yet they outspend the Republicans by a landslide on unimportant things thus far, and it’s only just begun. People are losing their homes, but it’s ok for this administration to spend around triple the amount of previous administrations that operated in stronger economies? That is crazy, but I guess that’s the change they want you to believe in. I am a liberal Democrat, and I call bullshit. Honesty is more important to me than party lines.
AMEN!
As for the dress, I thought the one strap thing was stupid. I wore one strap to my senior prom in 1998. Surely we’ve all moved passed that style by now. It would’ve been better strapless but that would’ve probably been too risque for a first lady. Who knows…
Not a fan of the matching tie and shirt on him either. Damn you, Regis!
Spent triple on what? What spending has this administration done yet? They JUST TOOK OFFICE YESTERDAY! Where are you getting your facts from?
And they don’t pay for the balls themselves. They’re all sponsored by different people/organizations.
For the record, every article I read coming out of these balls last night stated budget was the theme. Obviously the giant star-studded spectacular would’ve been the exception, but mos of the others had people sitting on the floor due to no chairs, and plates of crudite (cut veggies, for those of you not educated enough to know) and cubes of cheese. Hardly fancy affairs. The outfits everyone wore were certainly not indicative of the money spent on each event.
Just want to correct something I said. Not ALL are paid by other sponsors. The gov’t did foot the bill on some. You know which ones? The ones that were either free or mostly free to the PUBLIC. God forbid they allow the PEOPLE, those who voted him in, to be a part of the special day.
Most of the budget in planning this past weekend’s events went towards making sure people in and around DC were safe, had a pot to piss in, and could fully enjoy and be a part of the festivities.
THE NERVE!
Read that article you posted down there more thoroughly, and factor in inflation and today’s dollar.
[And then there is the party bill.
"We have a budget of roughly $45 million, maybe a little bit more," said Linda Douglass, spokeswoman for the inaugural committee.
That's more than the $42.3 million in private funds spent by President Bush's committee in 2005 or the $33 million spent for Bill Clinton's first inaugural in 1993.]
And you want to talk about the donors, all the rich, elitist fucks who donated money they should’ve given to charities instead?
[Obama capped donations at $50,000 per person, which is still more than 10 times what individuals could give to his campaign, but a lot less than the $250,000 cap President Bush had at his last inauguration.]
Not only was more money spent, but more people attended then EVER, it was a far more inclusive event than it’s ever been, and more money was spent making sure that could happen and everyone would be safe while doing so.
At least it only cost $25 to get into this Ball so regular people could attend it if they wanted too. Everyone has an expensive Ball. If they didn’t have one they probably would have gotten bashed too. Either way there is always someone who isn’t satisfied and is talking shit.
Ever recognize how rarely you actually do use an adverb?
GetYourAdverbsHere:
maybe you should sell your computer and donate the money to a homeless shelter or to some starving children.
“Getyouradverbshere”, you’re a fucking moron both of these “elitist wealthy lawyers” come from humble beginnings. Michelle is the descendent of slaves for goodness sake! You are PATHETiC All you can do is bitch and moan because they’re living the american dream and YOU have nothing better to do than hang around the internet talking shit on gossip blogs.
Looks like an old chenille bedspread. Think she could have worn something more complimenting. She needs a new dress designer. Also, her dress choice for the inauguration was not complimenting, and what’s with the green shoes?
CHENILLE BEDSPREAD IS EXACTLY RIGHT
Looks like an old chenille bedspread. Think she could have worn something more complimenting. She needs a new dress designer. Also, her dress choice for the inauguration was not complimenting, and what’s with the green shoes?
You got that right come on designer what were they thinking. This was Mr. and Mrs. Obama the 44th President moment to shine and for heaven sake the dress, his white bow tie, were they renewing vows? I thought not! And the green shoe and glove come on!
I agree with S Cuevas…Chenille bedspread sprang instantly to mind when I saw this dress. Mrs. Obama is very tall and statuesque, and needs to dress in simple dramatic lines, and rich jewel tones. Leave the frou frou clothes to the “smaller and less impressive girls” She is all woman and Amazonian. Dress with a little more drama.
awful.
“The country is in the middle of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, which isn’t stopping rich donors and the government from spending $170 million, or more, on the inauguration of Barack Obama.” http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Inauguration/story?id=6665946&page=1
If they cared so much about the common man and the plight of America, they would have actually done…..something different. *gasp*
Sometimes you are funny. Now I’m sure you are just an attention whore.
Word! Total AW.
That is money that is getting kicked back into the economy when so many are holding onto their dollars. Frankly, I think the first black president of the united states should get to kick it up a little before the shit road he has to clean up. Your suggestion is the same as saying that a family that helps a homeless shelter should not celebrate their kids birthday in a large way because it is hypocritical. Your argument is moot. Get over it.
I loved all the dresses that Michelle Obama wore, but give me a break what on earth was they thinking when thay make that dress for her, come on it look as if they make it from bird feathers. Too much fandangles! But you still rock Michelle right on! Peace and Love.
The dress is pretty and accentuating. I would have went with a darker color though.
Has anyone ever seen the movie “White Chicks?” It’s the one with the Wayan’s Brothers . . . anyway, at the end of the movie the brothers are dressed in a hideous white “swan” dress. This dress is an exact ringer for that dress.
The dress would not have been so bad, in my opinion, had the designer not hot glued a bunch of cotton balls on it. I am not a fan of her clothing choices, however for the actual inauguration ceremony, her yellow suit was very reminiscent of Jackie Kennedy’s and I actually liked it. Mrs. Obama is a very beautiful woman who needs to find a decent fashion consultant.
Side Note: I love Big Bang Theory! I am 29 and watch it religiously every Monday night! Hilarious!
looks like they’re getting married
I thought both dresses were AWFUL! That pissy green-gold color was the most hideous something ever. Yuck.
She looked beautiful. The most important thing is her husband thought she looked beautiful. They are so in love and so respectful to each other and totally affectionate. It is sweet and refreshing. I really like them a lot. A beautiful, inspirational, hopeful day of celebration for our country. I never thought I would see a person of color elected to the office of President in my lifetime and I am so glad it finally happened.
the white dress was fugly…looked liked little cotton balls stuck on it or something…… and they both need some dance lessons. The gold dress was her attempt to mimic Jackie O….
Michelle really needs to hire someone with taste to dress her for big occasions.
Michelle is such a gorgeous woman — why is she wearing a shot-gun wedding dress covered in cotton balls?
And her green monstrosity during the inauguration was…monstrous.
Maybe she’s less like Jackie O than I thought…
The dress was dreadful, bulky bad fitting heavy long shapless, perhaps the Cuban designer was seeking revenge for the trade embargo ….or perhaps it was due to the trafde embargo that the dress appeared to be mafde of old bleached rags.
The day wear was badly cut it just hung on the first lady and gave her the grace of a cart horse, the colors were terrible green and gold…
I hope she goes back to more toned down colors like the tans and blacks which work well pls let her take note, I hope she never again turns out looking like a large shes wearing the body of of chicken outfit.
SORRY, THE BLACK AND RED (UGH!) DRESS SHE WORE ON ELECTION NIGHT, THE PEA SOUP GREEN DRESS (AND GLOVES!!!) SHE WORE TO THE INNAUGURATION AND THAT WHITE THING SHE WORE LAST NIGHT….THREE WORDS: FUGLY, FUGLY, AND FUGLY.
I SECRETLY THINK SHE’S A TRANSVESTITE, (SECRET’S OUT) BUT WE WON’T BE ABLE TO PROVE THAT ANYMORE THAN WE CAN PROVE OBAMA’S CITIZENSHIP, HIS ACTUAL RELIGION, OR HOW HE COULD POSSIBLY BE SO BLIND IN THE CHURCH HE ATTENDS, AND COMPANY HE KEEPS.
BY THE WAY, MTFW, MO DOES NOT HAVE N HOURGLASS FIGURE, UNLESS TIME IS RUNNING OUT, IE SHE HAS PRACTICALLY ZERO TITS AND A REAR THAT SHOULD HAVE ‘WIDE LOAD’ WRITTEN ON IT.
Are you a Republican by any chance, NMCO?
INDEPENDANT, MY DEAR; MY EYESIGHT IS 20/20 AND MY FASHION SENSE, ALTHOUGH NOT IMPECCABLE, IS USUALLY SPOT ON. MOST WOMEN KNOW WHAT LOOKS GOOD ON ANOTHER WOMAN CONSIDERING THE AGE, GIRTH AND PERSONALITY OF THE WEARER.
DO YOU THINK ONE HAS TO BE ON THE ‘OTHER SIDE’ TO SEE UNBELIEVABLY BAD FASHION DECISIONS? NOW THAT, IN ITSELF, IS NOT A CRIME; COMPARING HER TO JACKIE KENNEDY IS.
FOR MRS OBAMA TO EVEN ENTERTAIN THE THOUGHT, OR LISTEN TO ANYONE WHO ADVISES HER, THAT SHE HAS ANYTHING, FASHION-WISE, IN COMMON WITH THE LATE FIRST LADY, WOULD BE HER MOST DETREMENTAL FASHION FAUX PAS.
HAVE YOU, OR ANYONE YOU KNOW EVER TRIED TO DRESS LIKE SOME CELEBRITY OR DIGNITARY? DID IT WORK OUT WELL? YEAH, WELL IT ISN’T WORKING OUT WELL FOR MRS BHO EITHER.
NMCO, “Independent” is code for “I’m a Republican but too much of a little bitch to admit it.” My stepfather uses that line too and it’s BULL. She wore gloves because *SHOCKER!* it was COLD in D.C. that day. Nobody cares what you “secretly think”. I’d like you see what you’re OLD wide loaded ass looks like before you start casting ugly stones,
i don’t like it.
shes gorgeous, could have had something better.
since they’ve made the president and first lady “celebrities…”
america makes me sad.. sigghhh..
Love the dress. What’s going on with her teeth?
i think its the one strap thing that is bothering me. i could see it working better as a strapless, but i still dont love it for the occasion. it looks like a bride at a beach wedding, not a ballgown.
She’s to big and to old for that kind of dress. Bad choice.
KT is correct! You zeroed in on the problem! We think she should take a picture of outfits she wants to wear and then look in the mirror before stepping out. Michelle should throw the gold dress out. The tie in the front ruined the look entirely. It make her look lumpy. The green gloves were great.
this is the first time i’ve said that i don’t care about the dress. all i thought about while watching them at the balls was how in love they were. the way they danced and looked at each other made my heart flutter. my favorite part was when he sneaked in a kiss on her cheek at the youth ball, so cute.
I should be her stylist. Her dress did not flatter her body at all. Someone needs to introduce me to Michelle. Like NOW!
Don’t care for any of her dresses. I’ve no idea why everyone thinks she’s the next Jackie O. But seriously, it’s her eyebrows that scare me the most!!
I think all those who have a problem with the dress or anything are hating on the Obama’s he’s president so get over it,and i’ll say a prayer for all of you May God Bless You All!
LULU YOUR EYES BROWS ARE SCARY TO AND ALSO YOUR FACE.
wrong color for the occasion, the embroidery work was brilliant, but the tie ruined it! white dress was bridal looking, the embroidery was great, but didn’t suite her or time. i wish they picked real USA designers. well 170 mill spent on the inaugaration eh!
I’m not sure I would pick that dress for this occassion, as they looked a little like debutantes in a coming out party. At the same time, they both looked so beautiful and charming. They looked very romantic. They looked very happy. With that in mind, it’s hard to complain about it!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2084348/posts
SCROLL DOWN THE ABOVE SITE, AND TAKE A GANDER AT THE PIC OF BARACK WITH MICHELLE IN, JUST A GUESS, HER PRE JACKIE PHASE.
I CAN’T READ THEIR MINDS LIKE SOME OF YOU SEEM TO BE ABLE TO, BUT IT LOOKS TO ME LIKE THEY’RE PRETTY BORED WITH EACH OTHER HERE.
LOOK PEOPLE, MICHELLE OBAMA IS NOT JACKIE KENNEDY, SHE’S NOT OPRAH, SHE’S MICHELLE OBAMA.
BARACK OBAMA IS NOT ABE LINCOLN, JOHN KENNEDY OR MARTIN LUTHER KING. HE’S BARACK OBAMA.
GET ALL THIS STRAIGHT AND STOP THE WEIRD FANTASIZING. IT’S NOT HEALTHY, IT’S DOWNRIGHT CREEPY.
Okay, 1st the purple sleeveless dress with a high waisted black belt – then a bright orange dress with “WILMA” from the flintstones pearl necklace -then the nortorious “RED & BLACK” dress she choose for the historic Victory night — and now into the present here we go again!! The white nightgown was not as bad as the hideous red and black but out of all the gowns to choose from for this wonderful once in a lifetime night — It did not flatter her figure, the strap looked like it was glued on at the last minute and looked too wide to be elegant, it was not appropriate for dancing because she constantly kept moving the train out of the way– over all it was not pretty for “her”. So e tjust when I think its over for a while I see her in church the next day with a “Moms Mabley” type dress on!! It stood out like a sore thumb from everyone else around. That reminds me of a 1060’s “house dress” that June Clever would were while mopping the floor!! I am an African American female who is sad to say I am ashamed at how tacky and tasteless she is. Jackie O? most definitely NOT!!! Oh and by the way -Can someone get her a decent bra that helps lift her flat sagging chest? That alone would help with most of her outfits. I’m very passionate about this because It bogles the mind as to how she can be so intelligent in one area and so dumb in another. ———-PLEASE GET HER A DECENT STYLIST — QUICK!!!
You’re dead-on KL. Any one of a plain face, a flat chest and a huge ass can be overcome with the right stylist, but not all three. And definitely not in that dress!
looks like a bed spread with all those knoby things on it that used to be on g grams bed.
I AM NOT SURE AS TO HOW TO PUT THIS BUT WHILE READING ALL OF THE ABOVE I STARTED THINKING,LIKE, WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE WE TALKING ABOUT HERE,IT READS LIKE SOMETHING YOU HERE ON TMZ DO YOU KNOW THIS IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,OUR PRESIDENT, I READ WHERE SOM FOOL QUESTIONS THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WAS SPENT ON THE INAUGUATION, hell,WE SPEND THAT KIND OF MONEY IN TIMES SQARE ON NEW YEARS EVERY YEAR, THE WAY I SEE IT THIS EVENT IS EVERY BIT AS BIG AS WAS THE BICENTENIAL IN 2000, HOW MUCH DID WE SPEND ON THAT, TOU KNOW, I HATE TO GO HERE BUT ITS HARD FOR YOU TO STAY IN THE CLOSET IF YOUR GOING TO OPEN YOUR MOUTH, IT DOES’NT COME OVER GOOD FOR THOSE WHO READ BETWEEN THE LINES, BUT TAKE MY WORD FOR IT IF YOU LIVE IN THIS CONTRY YOU NEED TO DO EVERY THING YOU CAN TO HELP PRES. OBAMA FLOAT THIS BOAT, HE NEED TO BE RESPECTED AROUND THE WORLD AND IT STARTS RIGHT HERE,DO NOTHING TO HELP HIM SINK THIS SHIP, FOR SURLY WE WILL ALL DROWN……