The Fashion String: Why Are the Obamas so Stylish?

-Tamara Feingold

Barack and Michelle Obama manage to lead the United States, parent two teenage daughters, and remain one of the most fashionable couples in the news.

While I usually don’t turn to political figures for my style inspirations (cookie-cutter suits and uptight sweater sets, ew), I sometimes find myself staring at pictures online of the President and First Lady wondering just how they do it. Politics aside, the Obamas are the most stylish couple to occupy the White House.

Michelle’s style is a combination of Jackie O. and Carrie Bradshaw. She often pairs her 60’s-chic patterned dresses with simple strings of pearls and even throws in the chance pastel cardigan without looking like a high-strung politician.

Michelle isn’t your average Presidential sidekick; she showed up to the State Dinner honoring the Republic of China wearing a fiery red, one-shouldered Alexander McQueen dress from the label’s 2011 resort collection. Somehow pulling off the sassy Betty Draper look, I’m electing Michelle for my personal professional style icon this year.

Barack is rarely seen in anything other than a suit, but what else would we want the President of the United States to wear, really?

Setting the fashion bar high during his 2008 Presidential Campaign, Barack mainly wore custom-tailored suits by Hartmarx, a menswear brand based in his hometown of Chicago. His suits are consistently crisp and he keeps his ties simple, usually in red, blue, or black. I can’t help but assume videos like Crush on Obama were partially inspired by his flawless businessman ensembles.

The Obama parents didn’t hoard their style sense, either. The Obama girls, Malia and Sasha, are similarly classy. Showing up to Inauguration Day looking like miniature Blair Waldorfs, the sisters wore color coordinating pea coat and scarf combinations that should be the envy of eleven-year-olds everywhere.

The Obama family is fashionably perfect and hopefully future White House families will follow suit. By combining classic politician staples with designer duds, the family is an inspiration for anyone hoping to rule the world with style.