*SPOILER ALERT* This story has a happy ending. As our future first lady tells it: by the end of the first date, "I was sold."
Michelle Obama: Her New Look
Future First Lady Michelle Obama has transformed before our eyes into the epitome of stately female elegance. Here we see her during the early days of her husband's presidential campaign, wearing the boxy business suit uniform of the professional working mother.
Stan Honda, AFP / Getty Images
Michelle and Barack Obama were married in 1992. The youthful couple, dressed elegant finery, share a style that is simple and sweet. The new Mrs. O's gown displayed her shapely shoulders, one of the many attractive features of her slim, tall build.
NYT
Michelle and Barack got glam to attend the 36th NAACP Image Awards in 2005. This soft, floral look was a departure for Michelle at the time. She was most-often photographed wearing very structured, dark professional attire. This look was a harbinger of changes to come.
Frederick M. Brown, Getty Images
For a casual look, Michelle Obama most often stuck to neutral tones, minimal make-up and simple hair swept back from her face. These style choices would soon give way to her new fashion approach from recent months.
Valerie Maccon, AFP / Getty Images
During the middle of 2008, we were introduced to the softer side of Michelle. The dark, masculine clothes that she wore as a lawyer and university administrator disappeared. Michelle's style evolved to include bright colors that showed off her feminine shape. At a May 2008 rally in Iowa, her olive green suit was a refreshing departure for her.
Kevin Sanders, AP
At a June 2008 campaign stop in Minnesota, Michelle wore a purple sheath dress by Chicago designer Maria Pinto. This dress was one of the first looks that stunned fashion lovers with her impeccable taste. Mrs. O perfected this simple look with pearls, a favorite staple.
Charles Ommanney, Getty Images
Michelle's second fashion hit occurred when she appeared on 'The View' in June of 2008. She wore this simple sun dress from White House/Black Market, which retails for $148. The dress quickly sold out. The pin on her shoulder was an embellishment of Michelle's own. Brooches, pins and pearls are all important aspects of Mrs. O's classic self-presentation.
Steve Fenn, AP
As First Lady, Michelle Obama has stated that one of her initiatives will be supporting military families.
While in town to meet with military families in August 2008, Michelle wore this sweater-based ensemble to cheer on local children. As you can see, ornamentation around the neckline is another hallmark of Michelle's style.
Rob Ostermaier, AP
For a Springfield, Illinois campaign stop, Michelle wore this very splashy print dress by Moschino. The full shirt of this belted dress is a silhouette reminiscent of the '50s, an era of the idealized homemaker. In addition to wearing more bold prints, Michelle's new look includes softer hair, often left loose, and bangs.
Alex Brandon, AP
Michelle addressed the Democratic National Convention on August 25, 2008 wearing another amazing design by Maria Pinto. Michelle is very often photographed wearing dresses by this designer, whose tailored, vibrant dresses help Michelle look polished, sophisticated and womanly.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
Comments: (5)
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By: ooiobaae on 1/05/2009 6:58PM
Such a living couple.
I wish them more success and happiness.
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By: David on 1/06/2009 3:42PM
That sounds very good.
A lot of people can learn from this.
I deal with a lot of relationships and would like to extend a invitation for people to come and read about Relationship tips
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By: victoriacoventry on 1/08/2009 3:11AM
Sounds like a truly classy date. I'd be sold too on a man who took me to an art gallery and actually knew something about art. And, who chose a nice restaurant instead of the local Mickie D's. LOL
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By: victoriacoventry on 1/08/2009 3:45AM
Several years ago my husband and I purchased a car and received a 9.9% interest rate. At the time our credit was perfect and we had minimal debt. We were actually told the rate was higher because my husband and I didn't have enough debt. I thought that sounded strange but didn't question it further at the time. Later after buying the car, I went to someone at our bank and showed her our loan documents. She told me the rate should have been 7.9% based on our credit. I immediately refinanced our car loan with a local credit union at 8.0%. To think my husband and I were overcharged 1.9% because we had perfect credit and were almost completely debt free! You would think we would have been just the kind of customer the dealership and bank wanted to offer the best deal to. I actually read dealerships do this quite often to minorities. A well known columinist verified this by doing a loan at a dealership to see what kind of rate she would receive. She was offered a higher rate by the dealership who had no idea she'd already been preapproved at a lower rate through her bank. When my husband got preapproved for a home loan, we were told he qualified for $240,000 but the bank could go as high as $270,000 if he chose to do an interest only loan. We declined. Interest only loans are the ones so many borrowers are defaulting on due to the loans adjusting to a higher payment after so many years. Had we taken that loan, we could have ended up in foreclosure like so many other people. While the mortgate officer didn't push the interst only loan, I can't help but wonder how many White people he offered that loan to knowing how risky it was to the borrower. Both the person at the car dealership and mortgage companies were White. I've since educated myself more when it comes to financial matters and am even considering law school in order to become a consumer advocate. I'd love to say it isn't about race but I believe it is. I'm college educated, read the paperwork and I still got tricked by a dealership because I was naive enough to trust the people there to be fair with me. My husband and I were able to refinance our car loan and get out of a loan that was designed to overcharge us. Not everyone is quite so fortunate. My advice is to do your homework BEFORE going to the dealership or mortgage office. Read, read, read! There is plenty of information out there. Know what you're doing BEFORE you apply for a loan. Check the rates and shop around before you buy. It's up to YOU to cover your assets.
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By: victoriacoventry on 1/08/2009 3:46AM
Ooops! This posted on the wrong page! Sorry!
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