Dear Readers,

I want to share my thoughts on two very important women in this year’s presidential election: the wives of Senator Obama and Senator McCain. Both are playing similar roles inthe campaign but it is interesting to observe their two distinct styles and the image they each convey.

Fashion guru Tim Gunn (I’m a big fan), comments on Michelle Obama, “She epitomizes class and American style…She looks approachable." I agree wholeheartedly. Michelle’s sense of style and how she expresses it is relatable, flattering, and classic yet with a bit of panache. And she is successful at wearing ensembles that look amazing on her, that suit her figure and proportions and that are always appropriate for each occasion whether she is a keynote speaker at the DNC or at a cocktail reception with Senator Obama. And she is a trend setter: The sleeveless, black-and-white dress she wore on “The View” became a must-have, off-the-rack item and White house Black Market stores nationwide.

Michelle Obama made Vanity Fair’s international best dressed list 2 years in a row and the magazine labeled her as ‘the commander in sheath’ for her love of the shift style dresses she wears often on stage. She has a clear, consistent and definable personal style: feminine with a timeless undertone and a touch of jazz in the way she accessorizes. In the photo above Michelle sports her signature silhouette —a just below the knee length sheath dress in a bold color with an embellished neckline and black pumps. Below she stands hand-in-hand with her hubby after his historic Democratic presidential nomination. She wears the same silhouette dress in a bold fuchsia with a black belt (a favorite fashion accessory) and pearls and goes sleeveless.

Michelle is a tall, striking woman and smartly chooses to opt for dresses in lieu of suits or pants to ‘soften’ what can be perceived as an intimidating image. She is smart, accomplished, physically toned and attractive and when she speaks she commands attention. She could easily have gone with the suit ‘uniform’ so typical of ‘first ladies on the make’ but she chooses to make her own statement. And she nails it. She is relevant, effortlessly stylish yet down to earth, and very polished.
When she dresses up, her personal style is still in effect as the picture below highlights. She adds more dramatic makeup, dangly earrings and wears a figure flattering long gown in a bold print. Still Michelle!

When she’s on the move she is never frumpy. In the picture below she is dressed in head to toe black. But she is not boring or predictable—her coat is edgy and stylish, her belt adds a nice touch of pizzazz as does her long necklace. She’s wearing pants here but makes it a feminine and fashion forward ensemble by the little touches. She’s a woman in command of herself and in full ‘presence’. Another slam dunk.

What I love about Michelle is that in the same way she does not dress like a typical candidate’s wife, neither does she act like one. She strikes that fine balance between esteem for her husband while maintaining her own self assuredness. When on stage by her husband’s side, there is none of that dutiful head nodding. She looks at him eye to eye  and  there is not an ounce of subservience but you see affection and fondness instead. Yet it is still clear that when they are together, he’s the one running for President.

Summarizing Michele Obama’s signature style:

• -Bold color
• -Eyes up accessories—necklaces or embellished necklines
• -Classic figure enhancing silhouettes
• -Dresses over pants
• -Cinched waist, often belted
• -Fashion forward yet appropriate
• -Mixes high and low end

Michelle’s style is clearly refreshing, and a departure from the Hillary pants suits or Laura Bush’s Oscar de la Renta ‘Easter Suits’. How does her peer Cindy Mc Cain compare? I’ll first share the esteemed Tim Gunn’s opinion: “Cindy, …with her button-down suits and blouses — looks like she’s duct-taped…her fashion is a metaphor for her personality.” Ouch! A tad harsh. Cindy has been reported to have worn in excess of $300,000 when she opened the RNC with Laura Bush in an Oscar De la Renta  yellow shirt dress, diamond earrings, four-strand pearl necklace, white Chanel watch and strappy shoes (see photo below).

I actually like her in this look. She gravitates towards bright vibrant colors which typically complement her blonde tresses. Here she is feminine and sophisticated.  The crayon colored pant suits and leather jackets of the early part of her campaign have given way to crisper, more contemporary dresses with richer colors, thank God! Cindy appreciates very well-made designer clothes that have rich, luxurious fabrics and she loves her four strand pearl necklace (valued at around $20K).
 
In the photo below she wears a lime green belted dress with her signature pearls. Also very prevalent in her ensembles are the two rhinestone pins that say Navy and USMC — representing the military branches her sons serve in and a blue star pin.

Below are the pearls again and military pins with a turquoise blue trapeze jacket skirt suit, waving to the crowd with her husband. Cindy can be a little over accessorized (she is all about the ‘bling’) and a little too ‘picture perfect’. There is something surreal about her image  and she does not convey the same command or authority as her peers in this election. Perhaps it’s because of her soft spoken voice which we really hear. Or maybe it’s in the demure and very restrained public persona that seems to say ‘I am here out of duty and I do not enjoy the spotlight.’ Or maybe it is the sharp contrast between her ‘maverick’ , overly confident husband and her dutiful, respectful and ladylike demeanor. She has great looks in her favor and an emerging signature style that mixes feminine flourishes with classic undertones. But in the realm of true ‘presence’ she falls short.

I like her best in the photo below –she looks warm, approachable and still lady like but with a more relaxed air. I love that she shows her arms here, bucking her conservative style a bit. Cindy in this red sleeveless figure flattering wrap dress and her signature pearls and pins gets my vote.

I love her embracement of color because it suggests she has some spunk in her. Her blonde hair whether pulled off her face, let loose in waves or in an updo is always perfectly pulled together (yet often too much so). And still there is a timidity in her style. She does not totally commit to it,  and this is perhaps indicative of a woman figuring out herself and her role. As lovely as she is, she is a shrinking violet. Shy and reserved compared to her loquacious spouse, Mrs. McCain’s preference is to avoid calling attention to herself. As one reporter observed: “Many know her only as the blonde standing alongside her gregarious husband, lips fixed in a practiced smile, ice-blue eyes serene and adoring, but inscrutable.” There will never be a headline with Cindy McCain as commander in anything because nothing about her image is commanding, strong or even confident. She seems almost fragile, quite frankly.

Summarizing Cindy McCain’s signature style:

• -Signature 4 strand pearls and military pins
• -Bright colors—yellows, lime greens, reds
• -Tailored dresses and skirt suits
• -Designer fashions
• -High collars
• -Styled hair

I’ve shared my perspective. What do you think?

The Image Diva, Élan Image Management