Ode: Michelle Obama, Beyond the Expected

First of all I apologize for the lack of a post.  I have been so busy preparing myself for my big move in 2 weeks to New York!  I am excited to say I have found my perfect little place in the West Village!

Now on to my post.

There have obviously been a million articles, posts on blog sites, and pictures of Michelle Obama and her fashion choices.

I choose to focus not on the fact that she is obviously stunning, has amazing fashion sense, or that she is the greatest first lady fashion icon since a little gal named Jackie.  Instead I applaud the first lady on her decision to not only focus on established, very American, designers such as Oscar De La Renta as the previous first lady did.

Mrs. Obama obviously chooses a very classic style.  She loves shift dresses in beautiful florals and chooses to add edge in her shoe and especially belt choices.

Yet one of her most commendable fashion choices is brining recognition to young designers.  She famously draped herself in a beautiful white confection by Jason Wu at the various parties on inauguration night.

The choice continued her trend of not only relying on staples like J. Crew or first lady go to De La Renta but instead giving young designers such as Wu an amazing opportunity to show their talent.  At the same time the First Lady made a statement in a dress that showed amazing texture and shape.

For another event the First Lady chose a stunning gold number by the dynamic Mulleavy sisters at Rodarte.  The sisters are known for pushing the boundaries with their beautiful knits and dresses that have ranged from fairy tale fantasy to dark and gothic.

Finally it would not be a true discussion of the First Lady's support for young designers without brining up her love for Thakoon.  A favorite of Anna Wintour, Thakoon has quickly become one of New York and CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund's greatest success stories.  The First Lady brought great recognition to Thakoon by wearing it constantly on the campaign trail and to various events.

We can thank the fashion gods that we were given a First Lady with a sense of style and one who supports young designers.  I'm sure we will be seeing many more designers gracing the First Lady's closet in the next 3, or perhaps 7 years.

Want: Underwater Whimsy

Last week while watching one of our favorite shows, Ugly Betty, I became very distracted by one of Marc's accessories—a pave stone octopus pin.

(Amanda and Marc would just die over this awful screen shot.)

I love his pin as well as its placement on his lapel. In fact, I already took a note from Marc and pinned a golden leaf to my blazer last week. But back to this pin. It's the perfect jeweled interest piece. It's whimsical and unique without trying too hard or being, well, creepy. I did a little searching and found what appears to be the same little guy by Noir in ring form on CUSP.com.

At $150, he may seem a little steep without sterling silver or gold plating. However, I think that his charm more than makes up for his lack of precious metals and earns him a firm place on my want list.

Magazine: W Magazine Demi Moore Photoshopping Nightmare

Photo: Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot for W, Imaxtree

Yesterday New York Magazine's fashion blog posted Demi Moore's cover of W Magazine December.  In the cover photo Demi wore the stunning gold cutout dress from Balmain's S/S 2010 collection.  Simply posting the cover New York Magazine had no idea the controversy that would erupt.  Immediately comments began pouring in that either another photoshop butchering had been committed or that it was not, in fact, Demi's body in the photo.  Demi is famous for staying in incredible athletic shape despite her ever advancing age.  Yet, model thin she is not.  Upon further studying commenters on the post began to notice striking similarity between the model, Anja Rubik's collarbone, shoulders, arms, and thighs and the body in Demi's photo.  Commenters suggested that if Demi were standing at a complete still as she is in the photo why would the tendons in her neck be so stretched?

Finally The Wish List itself commented that magazines shoot their cover photos far in advance of actually going to print and Balmain only showed this dress 1 month ago.  For it to have been used in the cover photo an exact copy would have had to be made specifically for this shoot before being showed at Paris Fashion Week.

Here are recent photos of Demi at an awards show in an equally form fitting dress.  You be the judge.

Have: Corpus Harem Sweat Pants

Unless you've been living under a very un-fashion conscious rock you have heard of, subscribed to, and bought from Gilt in the recent future.  The premise of the website is both genius from a business sense and perfect for a consumer.  The website features 36 hour sales of designer clothing from current or directly preceding seasons.  From the runway Alexander McQueen to classic Ralph Lauren Purple and Black label suits, Gilt spans the spectrum.

As you all already know my current obsession is Harem pants.  Recently Gilt had a sale on Corpus a brand carried by my very favorite boutique Oak.  They featured a very now pair of harem sweat pants in grey and black.  I knew the Gods were smiling down on me.

I bought both pairs :).  As always with online shopping I feared for the fit, considering I'm 5'6 and these modes were probably 6'2.  Again the Gods were on my side.  The fit is is incredible.  I have been wearing both non stop all week.  I feel like the fact that they are dramatic pieces in basic colors give me a lot of different options for wearing them.  I have been pairing them with a simple pair of worn oxfords or loafers and a simple slim sweater or sweatshirt.

The key to wearing something like harem pants is to know that they will most likely be the focal point of your outfit and you should try to simplify the rest of the outfit with classic basics.

LONG LIVE GILT!

Have: Commando "Dig Free" Tights

Sometimes, it's the small, seemingly boring purchases that end up being the most thrilling. In fact, one particular small purchase I made last week has me singing from the rooftops: Commando tights.

This lingerie brand, best known for their seamless underwear, has applied their signature "no dig" waistbands to tights. The result is brilliant—nothing short of a miracle.

No more rolling. No more waistband bump. No more uncomfortable digging.

I have never worn a pair of tights that has come close to being as comfortable. And what's more, the nylon/spandex blend is soft, durable, and a great matte shade.

They are definitely worth $34 ($32 for footless) given the comfort and quality. I plan on continuing to spread the word about this break though in the science of legwear. Though I should probably stop approaching people at the office with the creepy, whispered question, "Are you a tights wearer?"

Available at herlook.com

Image credit: neimanmarcus.com