Fashion’s First Ladies: Michelle O. vs. Jackie O.

There are many reasons to be excited about Obama’s presidency and one of them is the new first lady Michelle Obama. Michelle Obama brings a chic confidence back into the white house, something that has been missing since the 1960s, the last time we witnessed feminine swagger in the white house. Mrs. Obama has been turning heads since inauguration day. We’ll start there, since I’m sure we all remember that awful misstep in Chicago, the night of Obama’s victory speech. I shudder to even think about the red and black Nirciso Rodriguez dress. From the greenish gold Isabel Toledo number that she sported during the day at the inauguration events, to the gorgeous white ball gown designed by the little known Jason Wu, Michelle has been making moves towards becoming a fashion icon. But let me be the first to say she is not there just yet. While I can appreciate Michelle O’s simplicity, style, confidence, and grace, Jackie O is still the stand out First Lady. A fashion icon is one whose style transcends time. While Michelle O is too new to be described as a fashion icon, time is on Jackie O’s side and although her reign in the white house ended in 1963 (yes, that’s almost 56 years ago) with JFK’s assassination, and she passed nearly 15 years ago, her impression on fashion lives on. Her style was classic, elegant, and timeless. Many women are still sporting the large, Jackie O. inspired sunglasses. I know I own a pair. And judging from a few of Michelle O’s looks, she too has been inspired by Jackie O.

I will give Michelle credit for being a fresh breath of fashionable air, but I refuse to crown her the flyest women to hit the white house. Ask me again in 40 years and maybe my thoughts will have changed.

Election Night Fright

Inauguration Sophistication

Jason Wu, woos

Jackie O's signature sunglasses

A Timeless Beauty

Timeless Style

Her Inaugural Ball Gown

Transition Season’s Most Valuable Player: Colored Tights

Transition Seasons MVP – by jnabongo on Polyvore.com

It is already mid February 2009, wow how time flies. On the 2nd, Phil the groundhog saw his shadow so we are doomed to six more weeks of winter. So if you put your weather fate in the hands of this furry little creature, that means six more weeks of winter fashion, i.e. wool sweaters, turtlenecks, and warm boots. During these blistering cold temperatures and mother nature’s random teasings of above freezing weather, a true fashionista still desires to look fly despite the frost on the windows and for me that generally means a short cocktail dress and peep-toes. So how do you winterfy peep toes and short dresses? Colored tights!!!

I was introduced to this phenomenon while in Japan. Everywhere you turn, you can buy colored tights, plaid tights, polka dot tights, two toned tights, whatever your heart desires, and the Japanese do a great job of pairing them with the right casual outfit or with shorts and a cute sweater or with a super sexy dress for the club. While winters in Japan are very mild compared to New York or Detroit, the tights are still an MVP during this transition season.

Colored tights paired with peep toe shoes is the perfect way to get them out of storage and get rid of that winter dust. This MVP also lets you get away with denim skirts and cute sweaters during the day as opposed to wearing jeans and slacks everyday of this log cold winter. So run out and get yours!

Love It, But Leaving It: Bandage Dresses

Love It, But Leave It: Bandage Dresses – by jnabongo on Polyvore.com

Herve Leger’s Bandage Dresses have been the craze for almost two years now and based on the Spring/Summer 2009 Ready to Wear line (http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/show.aspx/full-length-photos/id,6788), they are going to continue to ride the wave of popularity. We have seen the dresses on everyone from Victoria Beckham to Rhianna. This dress, that has been wildly popular in recent years, was actually created in the late 80s, when Leger spotted leftover pieces of fabric, considered to be garbage, and decided to put the pieces together and create a form fitting dress. The recent trend actually got its start when wearing vintage bandage dresses became popular. The bandage dress (re)debuted in the Herve Leger by Max Azria Fall 2008 Collection.

I absolutely love these dresses but don’t think that they are practical for those of us that are not celebrities or wealthy. Don’t get me wrong, my body is definitely tight enough to be poured into one of these gorgeous creations that hug every curve with precision, but even though I am not a celebrity, I wouldn’t be caught in the same bandage dress twice (ok, maybe I could wear it once every other year). And with a price tag ranging from around $500 to upwards of $2500 I am not sure if I could justify the purchase to my closet, knowing that hell would freeze over before I wore it twice, let alone three times. Now when Herve or Max decide to impart me with a complimentary, fresh off the runway bandage dress, I will rock it properly with a pair of Louboutins, until then, I will leave it on the rack for celebrities, the wealthy, label whores, and the rest of the fashionistas that are sometimes delusional about their finances, in the name of fashion.

Now if you feel like you absolutely must own a bandage dress I suggest a few things, if you don’t have the income to wear this dress once and toss it to the back of the closet never to be worn again: 1. Get a solid neutral color, i.e. black, gold, white. This will not stand out as much, so you could get away with wearing it twice in a year, (as long as you avoid a few cameras) but people will still recognize how awesomely amazing you look. 2. Pair the dress with different accessories every time you wear it. Large bright clutches would definitely change the look and of course, change up the shoes. 3. Don’t wear it in the same city twice. If you have the money to buy this dress, then you should be a traveler too, so feel free to wear it at Lotus in NYC, Nikki Beach in Miami, and China White in London (that way you can get away with three wears in one year. ha!)

Bandage Dress Accessories – by jnabongo on Polyvore.com

From the Plane to Happy Hour (Jetsetter Style)

Jetsetter Style – by jnabongo on Polyvore.com

This is a perfect outfit for ladies of the jetsetting lifestyle. It is practical for travel, yet still allows you to head straight from the airport to happy hour. The black sweater dress is comfortable enough to survive a run to NYC, LA, or even London. The teal colored tights are a great interruption between the dress and the practical flat black boots. And if you’re anything like me, you need that scarf to keep you warm on the plane when your neighbor refuses to turn off their AC. With the failing economy and airlines charging you for your first piece of luggage (apparently you shouldn’t pack anything if you are traveling domestically), this black Tumi roller bag is durable and the perfect size for the overhead bin. Marc Jacob’s Grafitti Shopping Bag is big enough to carry anything that doesn’t fit in the roller, including your MacBook Air, Canon point and shoot, iPod, and M.A.C. makeup. And finally, never leave home without your Gucci aviators. A must for any frequent flyer.

“Is that what I think it is?”

I walked into a room and the scent in the air tickled my nose and sent shock waves through my loins. I knew what this scent was. The all familiar scent reminded me of passionate nights. I glanced around the room to see who the owner was. I spotted him, I walked over and whispered in his ear, “Is that what I think it is?”

To all the men in the world, if you want to bring a woman to her knees (no pun intended) I highly suggested a purchase of Jen Paul Gaultier’s “Le Male” cologne. All of my girlfriends agree that you can get their numbers with minimal effort if you dab a little on the wrist and behind the ear.