Michelle Obama makes $148 frock a fashion smash

[underpants]

Source: MSNBC

Donna Ricco has been a successful fashion designer for a long time — but it took Michelle Obama to make her famous.

On Wednesday, the wife of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama took a turn as co-host of TV talkfest “The View.” When the show’s audience saw her breezy, black-and-white, high-waisted print dress designed by Ricco, they had to have it. Virtually overnight, the dress all but sold out at the White House/Black Market boutiques that sell it for an affordable $148.

White House/Black Market has lost no time in trumpeting itself as the source of Michelle Obama’s dress. On Friday, it’s Web site featured a picture of the sleeveless dress — it’s called a “tank leaf print dress” — with the headline, “Road to the White House Style,” and an underlined link advising shoppers to “buy this dress.” The site also notes that “Entertainment Tonight” did a piece on the suddenly famous frock.

Ricco’s own Web site hadn’t yet caught up with her sudden fame. On its home page is a model in a blue satin summer dress. A site page labeled “As seen in” includes a Vogue cover and references to E!, “Wheel of Fortune” (including a gallery featuring Vanna White in Donna Ricco designs) and Woman’s Day... but not “The View” or the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee’s stylish wife


Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25280708/

[TwilightGardener]

1. She looked gorgeous in it--

they couldn't have asked for a better model than Michelle. I don't know if it would work on me--I don't have the skin tone OR the arms to pull it off, I'm thinking.

[polichick]

3. That high waist style feels weird to me - but she looked smashing!!

[TwilightGardener]

5. Yes--I am short and high-waisted to begin with, so I need clothes

that lengthen my torso, not shorten it--I guess you need height, too, to make it work.

[JDPriestly]

37. I love high waisted dresses, but haven's seen any to buy.

Maybe Michelle Obama will have the effect on fashion that Jackie Kennedy did. I hope so.

[RazBerryBeret]

53. I agree...

that high-waisted thing reminds me of my pregnant days...

[progressivebydesign]

82. That empire waist is actually pretty flattering on most body types.

You just need to find one that is cut just right. I'm 5'4" and have several dresses and shirts in that style and they are super flattering.

[underpants]

4. As my wife says

"she is Jackie O"

[eppur_se_muova]

89. Hmmm ... how long before "Michelle O" catches on ? nt

[Dulcinea]

45. I love it!

I love black & white prints like that. And Mrs. Obama looked fabulous!

[AspenRose]

2. It was $99 on the Donna Ricco website

and it's now SOLD OUT

[Demeter]

6. It Looks Like the 60's

As I was a teen in the 60's, I could have worn it then. But it's truly not suitable for today's Boomer.

I don't want to bring back the 60's, anyway. Once was more than enough.

[patrice]

23. I bet you hope no one ever says "once was more than enough" about your generation, though

they might well do so for reasons, which to them, are as LEGITIMATE as that which you assume in saying such a thing about my generation.

Judge not, lest you be judged, honey.

[Demeter]

31. Once Was More than Enough for My Generation

Everybody says so. Why else would the Boomers be so despised?

You couldn't pay me to relive it.

[Hannah Bell]

47. because they're being propagandized to feel so?

betcha you're also sure "social security is going broke".

[patrice]

64. Are they despised by the same people who voted for * twice, are complacent about

the erosion of the Constitution, and blind to the daily murder of thousands of Iraqis who didn't need killing just a few years ago? Oh, THEIR judgement is a good standard to go by. Yep, "everyone says so" is a real good way to do your thinking. :sarcasm:

Your opinion of the '60s is a prejudiced cliche and your perception of millions of people is a trite stereotype.

[JI7]

60. that style dress is being sold in most stores today , and Michelle looks better in it

than most people in their teens and 20s would.

do you want her to wear curtains like Laura ?

[uppityperson]

7. That is nice but I don't consider $148 affordable for a frock like this.

But then I have no fashion sense and have never bought a dress over $80 in my life, am a middle aged woman who shops low on the fashion pole.

It is a nice dress though and I am glad that people are emulating her.

[TechBear_Seattle]

13. Actually, $148 is low, especially given her social class

For many middle income American women, a nice "day dress" for lunch with friends can easily cost $200 or more. For a Senator's wife, a day dress with a prestigious label and a price tag of $500 to $600 is almost expected.

[uppityperson]

16. For a Sen's wife, for First Lady, it may not be low.

It is going to be interesting, watching what happens as gas goes up further, food, heat, transportation, stuff costs more and starts to impact those with money. As I said, I am wayyyyyy down the fashion conscious pole.

[XemaSab]

28. I bet Pickles' and Hillary's clothes cost WAAAAAAY more

Shoot, I bet W, Bill, and Barack's suits all cost ten times that... if not more. :o

[Occulus]

41. Pickles, at least

Nice drapes can get expensive.

[madmom]

22. I'm sorry but that is IMO going to get an "elitist" brand from some because many of us

middle class women don't do lunch with friends in a nice day dress, and if we do it's probably in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt at Wendy's. This is in no way ragging on Michelle Obama, because being who she is,she needs to look and dress the part, but $200 for a "day dress" I don't think so!

[TechBear_Seattle]

29. I don't think it is necessarily elitist

When I think of "middle class American women," I think of the kind of middle class American women I know in Seattle. They have a small "social wardrobe" with a few items at the high end of what they can afford and enough accessories to keep their look from being the same two or three dresses every time. When going to an "event" -- a nice lunch out, a date, appearing as a guest host on a nationally syndicated talk show -- these are the clothes they wear.

I would have thought that this was common, but I guess not. :shrug:

Edited for clarity.

[madmom]

32. Here in Ohio, no not common at all. Maybe an event here is different than

an event there but they don't happen to often around these parts now days. Besides... how many middle class American women do you know that appear as a guest host on a nationally syndicated talk show?:shrug: When I was referring to "elitist" I'm meaning why throw them a bone?

[freeplessinseattle]

57. it's your neighborhood, not Seattle in general

but for a candidate's wife, yes, that is unusually low-priced

[progressivebydesign]

83. I live in Gig Harbor... I totally hear ya on the wardrobe comments.

Here the ladies have the wardrobe of some high end running suits, casual stuff from j.jill and Nordies, then the fancy stuff (when they get dressed up) comes from Nordstroms. They really don't have a ton of dress up stuff, just enough for those events. But $148. would be what they'd spend on a dress like that... My limit for dresses like that is around 99.00, though I did splurge on a Nanette Lepore on clearance that was just a bit more than my usual limit... an indulgence after selling my home after 12 months of being on the market.

[JDPriestly]

38. You dress up to go on TV. Michelle Obama probably wears

jeans and a t-shirt when she has lunch with her friends at Wendy's just like everyone else. Michelle Obama has to look good on stage and on TV.

[madmom]

49. I have no problem with her wearing this or what ever she wants on tv, what I

was commenting on was the post about this being affordable for middle class American women to have as a "day dress" to have lunch with her friends. In my world this just doesn't happen, for most women around here $200 isn't affordable, under $100, we're in the ball park.

[JDPriestly]

65. I agree on you on that. I have to wear suits in my work.

I buy them on sale. I know exactly when the suits are going to go on sale, and until that time, I do not buy. They are too expensive, and I refuse to pay $200 even for a tailored woman's suit.

[stillcool]

56. I think if I was going to be on television..

I might splurge a little. I saw the price listed as $100.00 the day she appeared. Why is it now up to $200.00?

[madmom]

78. The price I heard was $148, I was referring to the above thread mentioning a $200 "day dress".

[JI7]

63. many middle class women would spend a couple hundred for special occasions

they may not be able to afford to wear clothes that cost 100 dollars more every day everytime.

but they can afford something around 200 if they want something for a special event and are ready to spend more than usual.

[madmom]

80. On this I would agree but not for a "day dress" for lunch with friends, that is the part I was

referring too, that sounds a bit elitist, IMO.

[Ms. Toad]

91. Expected, or not, that's not the kind of role model

I would value most for either a senator's wife or a first lady.

And I am far enough into middle income that my daughter's top tier college says I make too much/have too many assets to get any financial aid. Hmm . . . perhaps by belief that $148 is not an affordable dress has something to do with the fact that I actually have assets the college thinks it can grab for tuition. Knew I was doing something wrong.

[DesertFlower]

39. i guess if i were still working i might pay that much. nt

[eridani]

71. It's cheap for someone of their income level

I once spent $115, mostly try to keep it around $60 these days if new.

[Ms. Toad]

90. I agree with you about the price

$148 is more than I have spent for any dress - and more than what I have spent for most suits - and I get lots of compliments on what I wear.

[Schema Thing]

8. I'm wearing that very dress as I type

and I'm a white male.


Hah! just try to erase that image!

[polichick]

11. I'll bet you look smashing too! :)

[Schema Thing]

33. more like "a smashing tool" :-D

[polichick]

43. LOL

[BeyondGeography]

19. Image disturbingly uneraseable

:spank:

[momster]

What Shoes Are You In?

I'd wear red peep-toes with that black/white number but YMMV...

[Schema Thing]

87. Here I parted company with Michelle

my Ariat roper style boots are just the most comfortable things I own.

[TechBear_Seattle]

9. Mrs. Obama will make a great First Lady

Most of the First Lady's I have seen in the White House have all been society types who tended towards ostentation when it came to publicity: pearls, diamonds, couture gowns, and even $1000 outfits for day-wear. Then along comes Michelle Obama. I bet her outfit, makeup and hair cost less than any of the other hosts, yet she definitely outshone them. Proof that taste, not money, is all you need to look like a million bucks. Especially in our current culture of consumption and extravegance, I think she will be a fashion inspiration and role model.

Yeah, yeah, I'm falling into commentary on how public women dress. But I hope I'm doing so in a good way. :hi:

[uppityperson]

18. Indeed and I very much agree with you.

Simplifying rather than being ostentatious.

[union_maid]

25. Taste and good looks help, too

Being model tall and attractive make it a lot easier to find something that looks good. I'm glad that she shops on a human budget, though. It's very refreshing, really.

[tblue37]

55. Although people like to slam Hillary's pantsuits, I think

they are practical, sharp looking (most of them anyway), and well-tailored. Most of them also suit her figure type and allow her to look businesslike without looking masculine. I am willing to bet that she also has had an influence on hte fashion choices of a lot of businesswomen past the age of 40.

I have to admit, though, that I have a soft spot in my hesrt for the First Lady who, until she got to the WH, was as likely to wear something she sewed herself as something she bought in a store. I admit that we do want our nation's representative figures to dress well on the public stage, but I always thought Rosalyn Carter's unassuming thriftiness was sweet. Actually, I have a lot of admirartion for both her and Jimmy, and their lack of ostentation is one of the things I like about them.

[eridani]

73. I wear pantsuits instead of skirted suits because the former

--hide the support hose. Don't know if Hillary is in the same boat, but if you are over 60, it's more and more likely that you are going to need them. Michelle still has a few years to go on that.

[tuckessee]

10. If it's OK to laud her for her fashion choices

then it must be OK to bash her for that was well.

As long as there is no double standard everything's fine.

[Sam Ervin jret]

12. I celebrate the fact she doesn't need to be a size 2 to be considered magnificent.

Tell all the teenage girls.

[jus_the_facts]

14. "You do whatever the tube tells you....This is mass madness, you maniacs..."

"You're beginning to think the tube is reality
and your own lives are unreal. You
do whatever the tube tells you. You
dress like the tube, you eat like
the tube, you raise your children
like the tube, you think like the
tube. This is mass madness, you
maniacs! In God's name, you people
are the real thing! We're the illu-
sions!

So turn off this goddam
set! Turn it off right now! Turn
it off and leave it off. Turn it
off right now, right in the middle
of this very sentence I'm speaking
now --"

At which point, HOWARD BEALE, sweating and red-eyed with
his prophetic rage, collapses to the floor in a pro-
phetic swoon.

...Television continues relentlessly on....



From the 1976 movie Network...

[TygrBright]

15. Oh, gawd... I hope this doesn't mean we're in for another ten years of....

...baby-doll, junior-miss, designed-for-fourteen-year-old fashions. Pedal pushers, puffy little sleeves, empire waistlines, ruffles and ruching....

GAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

SOME OF US ARE GROWN UP, Y'KNOW, "FASHION" DESIGNERS!

Adult bodies with broad shoulders, normal bustlines, discernable hips and thickened waists do NOT look stylish, professional, attractive, or even 'cute' <gag> in baby-doll clothing.

Could we please, please, please return to grown-up styles just long enough for me to replenish my closet?

wistfully,
Bright

[uppityperson]

20. I wore those back when I was a teenybopper, am amused at the return now.

They are sooooooooo cute. And if I wore it now I would be asked if I were pregnant. Good lord. I recently gave away an india/print dress I'd saved from the late 60's to a teen who was soooooooo happy to have it.

[JerseygirlCT]

44. She's also worn a number of slightly fitted sheaths

I think they almost always look good. Simple, clean lines.

But I'm with you on the empire waists and baby-doll stuff. I just look pregnant in them!

[pengillian101]

52. I'm with you.

Empire waistlines back in fashion? Ewww. My prom dresses in 1968 and 1969 had empire-waist designs. It was ugly then and it is ugly now.

Fun photos (and folks can buy vintage and new clothes). Click around all the links for full vintage clothing:

http://threadsintime.net/id20.html

[whistle]

17. What's a frock?

[supernova]

24. Frock

(frŏk)

1. A woman's dress.
2. A long loose outer garment, as that worn by artists and craftspeople; a smock.
3. A woolen garment formerly worn by sailors; a jersey.
4. A robe worn by monks, friars, and other clerics; a habit.
tr.v. frocked, frock·ing, frocks
1. To clothe in a frock.
2. To invest with clerical office.


http://www.thefreedictionary.com/frock

[patrice]

21. Black and White Leaves held together by strong Black bands; intentionalor not, I love the metaphor

[FlaGranny]

26. She looked great in that

dress. It's a darn shame that EVERYONE won't look as good as she did in it. ;-)

[XemaSab]

27. Funny and ironic that she got it from "White House/Black Market"

Think about it. :P

[progressivebydesign]

84. Yeah.. I totally mused on that when she mentioned it.. n/t

[phantom power]

30. I see the MSM is still obsessing over the wardrobe.

Very progressive.

:eyes:

[AllHereTruth]

48. I see the MSM is still obsessing over the wardrobe. -QFT-

The Corporate Media has nothing better to do...didn't you know that? :sarcasm:

[Mopar151]

34. Nothing new

Class shows, dear. Hasn't it always been so?

[underpants]

42. Exactly and Welcome to DU

:hi:

[cyndensco]

35. Michelle looked great in her dress.

I just don't understand how 1 person wearing a dress would compel others to buy the same dress. When I attend an event, I appreciate being the only one dressed the way I am. Somehow, wearing "Michelle's dress" does not at all appeal to me. I don't get it.

[JDPriestly]

36. Caution: If your skin has a lot of pink or red in it, you probably

won't look as good in black and white as Michelle Obama does. Michelle Obama is just a really beautiful woman in every respect. I would look awful in that dress.

[DailyGrind51]

40. Michelle is intelligent, articulate, and poised.

She could wear a potato sack and would still be a class-act in my book!

[cliss]

46. Michelle Obama could wear a wooden barrel

held up with suspenders, and she'd still be gorgeous.

Re: clothing. I've noticed she doesn't seem to be so hung up on clothing. She's worn one outfit several times during the campaign trail. It's a green top & skirt, she wears it with a belt. The combination of that colour with her beautiful café au lait skin is nothing short of breathtaking.

[Tarheel_Dem]

62. She is gorgeous in your sig pic. And I agree, simply breathtaking...nt

[superconnected]

50. That beautiful lady shows she has class and style by wearing something

affordable and not 5 grand and making it look good.

She'll make a great first lady, both times I go to elect her :).

[tblue37]

51. It's telling that none of Laura Bush's White House

fashion choices have caused such imitation--unless maybe they are being featured on some site that sells drapery and upholstery fabrics.

[iverglas]

54. and I'm gobsmacked

There you are in a country that came really pretty close to having a woman head of state/government ... and there you are back to business as usual.

Woman as decorative appendage of the person who's really the right sort for the real job.

Yeesh. Let me check that calendar ...



typo,typo,typo

[pengillian101]

58. Iiverglas ---- Yeesh. Let me check that calendar ...

Thanks iverglas!

"There you are in a country that came really pretty close to having a woman head of state/government ... and there you are back to business as usual. Woman as decorative appendage of the person who's really the right sort for the real job. Yeesh. Let me check that calendar ..."


You are SO spot on, iverglas! Thanks for posting.

[NashVegas]

59. Wordy Fucking Word

[JI7]

61. why does it have to be one or the other

we talk about Obama's looks also.

Laura isn't praised for her fashion sense and she certainly isn't anything to be proud of when it comes to women's accomplishments.

Michelle is known for what she says and does in addition to her clothes.

[iverglas]

66. Michelle is known for being an appendage

(Hell, so was Hilary. It's not like I'm a huge fan.)

I can't see any reason to discuss the appendages at all, you see. Their clothes or their accomplishments. They're appendages.

Now, we did have Margaret Trudeau up here where I am, and there was indeed some discussion of her. I mean, when the wife of your head of government sleeps with the Rolling Stones, that's kinda to be expected. And Mila Mulroney had an awful lot of shoes (whence her nickname, Imelda Mulroney).

Aline Chrétien averted disaster when she was awakened by a prowler in the official residence and alerted Jean, who grabbed an Inuit soapstone carving while she locked the bedroom doors. Other than that, for the 10 years Jean was Prime Minister, I don't recall hearing her name. Or seeing her, for that matter. Let alone having a clue what she was wearing.


we talk about Obama's looks also.

There's reason to talk about Obama. He's running for President.

Laura isn't praised for her fashion sense and she certainly isn't anything to be proud of when it comes to women's accomplishments.

Eh? I'm just failing to see a connection.

But to add: you're just failing to get the point, aren't you? Why would a woman be praised or damned for her fashion sense? I know! I know! Because she's a woman!

Michelle is known for what she says and does in addition to her clothes.

Michelle is known for being the wife of a presidential candidate. I can't see what else anybody needs to know about her. If she wants to be known for something else, I guess she should do something else and get known for it.

But an entire thread at DU talking about her dress. Give me fucking strength.

[JI7]

67. so what ?

you tried to connect this as having something to do with women's accomplishment and "going back to usual" when that isn't the case.

there were entire threads on Kerry windsurfing, Gore's beard, Obama's biking.

[iverglas]

69. aaaaaaaargh

there were entire threads on Kerry windsurfing, Gore's beard, Obama's biking.

Kerry, Gore and Obama were/are candidates for the office of president. Everything about them is news.

Michelle Obama is a WIFE OF. She is getting media attention because she is a WIFE OF. She is not getting media attention because she is accomplished, or even because she is attractive. She is getting it beccause she is a WIFE OF.

I'd like to think that there ARE women who are worthy of media attention because of their accomplishments. And that people who give a crap about opportunities for women and respect for women would focus their attention on THOSE women, not on a woman who happens to be married to someone running for president.


you tried to connect this as having something to do with women's accomplishment and "going back to usual" when that isn't the case.

I can't even parse that. Nobody else seems to have had any difficulty getting the point, though.

But since you mention it -- yeah, here's this woman who's getting attention paid to her because she is a WIFE OF and despite how intelligent and accomplished she may be this discussion is about HER BLEEDING DRESS.

You could have had a woman head of state. What you have in her place is an appendage. Why anybody wants to talk about her at all is beyond me. Why anybody thinks that a WIFE OF is worth paying attention to I just don't know. She's not running for anything, she's not in issue. But why anybody wants to talk about her dress is in another universe from where I live.

[JI7]

70. because she is campaigning for him and was on TV and appears in public

so people talk.

just like Cindy McCain's recent comments.

[progressivebydesign]

85. You know, sometimes people like to talk about fun things...

.. it doesn't have to be hardcore intense political stuff constantly. Sometimes it's just fun to talk about light things... as a woman, I was very impressed by what she wore and found this thread interesting. It's just a breezy topic for a Saturday morning. It doesn't mean we've forgotten about the War, about climate change, or the economy, it just means that we enjoy talking about positive things. It's all part of electing the head of a country -- falling in love with the package.

[ismnotwasm]

68. My thoughts exactly.

So very, very sad.

[ReverendDeuce]

72. I am a straight male, and I comment about how Barack dresses...

What does that make me?

He has some very nice ties that bring his entire image together. Barack wears very affordable suits as well.

[Raine]

74. Michelle is going to make a WONDERFUL

First Lady! :bounce:

[eowyn_of_rohan]

75. Nice (and smart!) that she's supporting an American designer...

and if the clothing is actually MADE in our country, that is doubly smart! She is undoubtedly aware that Jackie Kennedy caught some flack for wearing (and spending a lot on) French-designed clothes, and was pressured to choose an American-designed wardrobe for the 1960 inaugural.

[jcla]

76. Beautiful Dress...

Michelle Obama has fashion sense, great style... and buys American! Maybe this will help the economy a tad! Go, Michelle... the next Jackie O for White House fashion!

[whistle]

77. So, a frock is simply a loose garment

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/09/11/fashionweek_narrowweb__300x615,0.jpg




http://newsbusters.org/people/michelle-obama

[pt22]

79. It's about 140 dollars overpriced.

...

[progressivebydesign]

86. Well.. OUCH! I thought it was a beautiful dress and looked great on her.

I'm not a solid fan of the Obama candidacy, though I will vote that way. However, I'm not so hardened that I can't admit how great Michelle looked in that dress, and how impressed I was with her on her View appearance.

[pt22]

92. LOL! If Pickles had shown up wearing that, DU would have 5000 posts

about how it was made from the curtains of a Hungarian Halfway House...
:rofl:

[progressivebydesign]

81. That dress was just stunning on her! I noticed it for sure.

It's the style I really like, though I'm considerably shorter than Michelle is. I definitely took note of the dress.. as apparently a lot of other women did. She has very good taste.

[bitchkitty]

88. Michelle Obama could wear a flour sack and look fabulous

but I love that dress.

I'm thinking...maybe I should dig out my free weights....