The 10 Best Dressed First Ladies 2011
By Kate Betts of the Daily Beast
In the frenzy of award-ceremony season, instead of musing on the do's and don'ts of Hollywood's red carpet, let's take a look back at one of history's most-discussed best-dressed list: that of first ladies over the course of this nation's history. One first lady brought a radio to the White House (Grace Coolidge), while another brought her own sewing machine (Roslynn Carter), all of the following first ladies brought a unique-and often emulated-sense of style
Dolley Madison
Dolley Madison was the first first lady to understand that style had the power to convey her husband's political agenda. She wore outrageous pieces, including wacky turbans, and made a concerted effort to evoke European trends by using more recherché fabrics and hats with peacock feathers.
Julia Tyler
The young and beautiful Julia Tyler became known as the "Lovely, Lady Presidentress" by acting like a queen, sashaying around Washington trailed by ladies-in-waiting. She mimicked Dolley's penchant for headgear, wearing satin headdresses embroidered with feathers and diamonds.
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Mary Todd Lincoln
Mary Todd Lincoln always had the heart of a fashionista—even if she was a little out of touch. She wore dresses made of fine European silks at a time when Civil War ravaged the nation. For the first time, the press scrutinized her wardrobe, deriding her as a "vain" woman in "absurd costumes. And Lincoln took note of her place in the spotlight, admitting, "people scrutinize every article that I wear with critical curiosity."
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Francis Cleveland
If Mary Todd Lincoln was the first first lady whose style became a hot topic in the media, it was Francis "Frankie" Cleveland who became an advertising staple. Her face made it onto ads for everything from soap to underwear—and women everywhere began to imitate her pose and style of dress.
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Edith Roosevelt
Edith Roosevelt wore couture dresses designed by Monsieur Worth in Paris, but she didn't have the public personality to land on a best-dressed list. That honor went to her stepdaughter, Alice Roosevelt, who became the center of press attention and public scrutiny and an icon to women around the world.
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Grace Coolidge
In her daring fashion choices, Michelle Obama may be borrowing a page from Grace Coolidge's book. Mrs. Coolidge took style risks by wearing sleeveless flapper dresses, and showing off her arms and legs in the White House. She was the face of an important sea change in American style, as women won the right to vote and joined the work force.
Mamie Eisenhower
When you think of Mamie Eisenhower, you think pink. She brought her favorite color into the White House—and totally redecorated her room in the color. And although Mamie was more matronly than many of the first ladies who followed her, she makes the list because she was the quintessential '50s housewife: Her look of
wasp-waisted dresses, matching pocket books, shoes, and hats set the tone during her tenure at the White House.
Jacqueline Kennedy
When Jackie Kennedy came to the White House, America got a first lady who loved clothes. She introduced the nation to high fashion, reading French Vogue in the White House. She worked with former Paramount Studios costume designer Oleg Cassini to construct her image around a very simple wardrobe. She
wore the designs of Hubert de Givenchy to meet Charles de Gaulle, and wore brilliant colors, which were brought to homes across America on color TV. Jackie's taste was elitist and out of reach for most Americans—but its simplicity was accessible.
Nancy Reagan
A sharp contrast from Jackie's sartorial simplicity, Nancy Reagan brought excess to the White House. She famously wore a $10,000 couture gown to her husband's inauguration in 1981, and constantly wore red, which was a symbolic color of her husband's administration.
Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama epitomizes the two style attitudes of her first lady forebears: those who used fashion to embody their husband's political agendas, and those who took style risks. As witnessed by the Alexander McQueen dress she chose at the Chinese state dinner, Michelle Obama is using style to set the tone and to define a new etiquette of power.
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