Much to live up to

How will Michelle Obama stand up to comparisons to Jackie Kennedy and high expectations from the fashion industry?

 

 

RETROSPECTIVE. From Eleanor Roosevelt’s rose wrap dress to Jackie Kennedy’s ivory silk and chiffon gown, the first lady’s inauguration look has always been a subject of scrutiny. Michelle Obama, the nation’s first African-American woman to hold the title and, at 44, the youngest since Kennedy, faces more analysis than most. While we wait for her to blaze her own fashion trail, we take a look back at Obama’s inaugural forbears:

Mamie Eisenhower
Eisenhower was known for her love of feminine, borderline flashy dresses and jewelry, often favoring gowns by Arnold Scaasi.

Jacqueline Kennedy
Arguably the most popular inaugural gown to date, Jackie Kennedy designed her simple ivory gown herself and had it sewn by Bergdorf Goodman.

Nancy Reagan
The crystal-embellished James Galanos gown Nancy Reagan wore set up a period of glamour in the White House characterized by red dresses, Oscar de la Renta and personal hair stylists.

Laura Bush
In 2001, Laura Bush continued the tradition of red with this crimson beaded Michael Faircloth gown. In 2005, she wore a similar gown (this time in ice blue) by Oscar de la Renta.