First lady style. The 6 most emblematic women in the White House and their most famous dresses
Far from being casual, the style of the Flotus (First Lady Of The United States) tells us a lot about them and the ideal they embody, as well as their power to influence the customs and thinking of society through images. We present them to you one by one, associated with their favorite designers and some clothes etched in everyone's memory
FLOTUS, First Lady Of United States: the wife of the president of the United States is a figure who has historically supported the man of power by shining with reflected light, but today it cannot be said that her role is exclusively 'accessory'. A figure of great prominence and visibility, in the modern era the first lady has become a figure full of political significance, capable of enormously influencing the customs and thinking of society, not only through active participation in politics and society, but also, strongly , through his image. The style of the first ladies of the United States is a measured, calculated, precise declaration of intent, a concentration of values and ideas. Clothing is the message, not at all subliminal, the outfit is a stance. There are Flotus who with their style have marked their era, and left their mark to such an extent that they are still icons of costume today. Here is a roundup of 6 first ladies with an emblematic style.
Jacqueline Kennedy, 1961-1963
No one more than her has become an icon, emblem, symbol. Jacqueline Kennedy was the very definition of bon ton chic. Respect and elegance: the 'Jackie' style has influenced fashion for decades, thanks to the clothes that Oleg Cassini designed especially for her. The bouclé suits, boat necks, pearl chokers and oversized sunglasses have remained indelible in the collective imagination. Tragically, it is perhaps the pink suit she wore in Dallas the day her husband was murdered that remains most etched in her memory: legendary is the choice not to take it off immediately, albeit stained with blood. And the history of the dress itself is debated: commonly considered a Chanel garment, there is the doubt that it was instead of Cassini, or of Chez Ninon, a New York boutique to which the first lady often turned - also to silence the detractors who considered it otherwise too spendthrift and not very patriotic, given her love for French fashion.
Nancy Reagan, 1981-1989
Classic and traditional, but absolutely glamorous: Nancy Reagan reflected the republican ideal in a Hollywood style. She a former actress, she 'she played' the role of perfect wife next to her husband (also from the world of cinema), and she was a great host at the White House: her parties went down in history. She often turned to Oscar de La Renta for ball gowns, and in everyday life she always showed herself in impeccable cocktail dresses, sober in shape but bright in color. Red was undoubtedly her favorite tone, so much so that she came to coin the definition of 'Reagan red'. An image of American classicism, soap opera style sobriety and elegance, so dear to the conservative world of the Eighties, committed to countering the wave of sequins and acetate that was overwhelming the costumes of the time.
Hillary Clinton, 1993-2001
Hillary Clinton's message was immediately clear when she assumed the role of first lady. The 42nd Flotus had enormous political weight in her husband Bill's presidency years, and she actively held institutional roles. Not surprisingly, her style can be considered an emblem of power dressing: trousers and jacket, not infrequently a nice color block, were her uniform. It may not always be obvious, but Hillary Clinton's legacy in terms of costume is far from negligible. The most beloved stylists? Ralph Lauren is on the podium, but Oscar de la Renta has often been chosen for evening dresses. Out of the choir and also very famous for this, the black evening dress by Donna Karan worn during the event of her husband's inauguration, which exposed her to criticism because it left her shoulders bare thanks to a cut that in the nineties she then depopulated (as well as last winter, in full revival).
Laura Bush, 2001-2009
Sober and conservative in the beginning, in an eternal one-color cocktail dress, with an evolution towards power dressing at a later time: Laura Bush's style reflects the ideal of a republican woman of her time. She sober to the point of being aesthetically boring, she maintained a certain traditionalist rigor even when with great fanfare. It is precisely the evening dresses, prom dresses, those for great occasions that deserve to be remembered. Like the iconic fiery red couture garment (homage to Nancy Reagan?) Worn at the inauguration ceremony of George W. Bush, made by Texan designer Michael Faircloth. The clothes that Arnold Scaasi designed for her, Canadian designer who also dressed Barbara Bush, and before her Mamie Eisenewer, are spectacular. The iridescent blue evening dress designed by Bill Blass, worn at a state dinner in Ghana, also went down in history.
Michelle Obama, 2009-2017
Michelle Obama has chosen to carry out a mission through the wardrobe. Choosing clothes that defined her charisma and at the same time promoted young, often emerging, largely American designers to advertise and take her wing under her. Jason Wu owes a large part of her fame to her, as does Isabel Toledo (Cuban designer who died last year), Thakoon, Christian Siriano. The first African American first lady has always been a charismatic character, personification of determination and commitment, symbolically represented by outfits that left her iconic shapely arms exposed, a detail that not many (to put it mildly) before her have dared show off. From a stylistic point of view, Michelle Obama has managed to marry bon-ton with female empowerment. After her experience at the White House, her look has become even more courageous, at times aggressive: who does not remember the glittery cuissardes and the lemon yellow shirt by Balenciaga sported at the presentation of her biography 'Becoming'? But this is another chapter.
Melania Trump, since 2017
There are a few days to go before the American elections, and, whether you are against or in favor of Donald Trump's re-election, to assert that Melania with her outfits made fashion history in the White House is not an exaggeration. The 45th Flotus showed off the most contemporary and trendy outfits ever seen in that position. She is a former model, and she knows how to wear literally everything with elegance, including the heel 12 as if she were a slipper. Hoods, jumpsuits, dizzying décolleté, flared cuts and overlaps, a predilection for flared skirts and the waistline highlighted in New Look style: the American first lady is the emblem of our time in the most luxury sense of her. She is a millionaire, and she lets it be known. Ralph Lauren, Valentino, Michael Kors, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana are among her favorites. She has often been criticized for her lack of sensitivity in exhibiting clothes and accessories considered out of place (the Manolo Blanhik stiletto while visiting the areas affected by Hurricane Harvey in Texas, the colonialist suit on the trip to Kenya, or the unforgettable parka which reads 'I really don't care, do u?' worn in after being in the detention center for children separated from their families). 'Slips' that assert a very specific attitude, almost a white privilege advertisement. In any case, even when the outfit is spot on - most of the time, to be honest - Melania Trump always demonstrates the implacable temptation to flaunt.
