On Inauguration Day 2017, Michelle Obama telegraphed to the world how she felt. She telegraphed her sadness and anger with the expressions she made throughout the day, and she also telegraphed it with her thrown-together, little-effort styling. She didn’t think the Trumps were worth the effort, and she was right. But MO telegraphed something different for Inauguration Day 2021. Suddenly it was big, bouncy hair, monochromatic plum style and a giant statement belt. Michelle arrived at the Capitol looking like a damn Avenger.
Michelle’s ensemble was by Sergio Hudson, a Black designer from South Carolina. Vice President Harris also wore Sergio Hudson (later in the evening, that was the VP’s black outfit). People were joking about “the girls coordinating their looks on WhatsApp,” but seriously, did VP Harris and MO talk to each other about fashion?? It was pretty funny when the Obamas arrived too – every anchor and journalist doing commentary on the inauguration proceedings were like “MICHELLE OBAMA!!! And her husband, Barry Something.” Michelle’s stalker George W. Bush noticed how great she looked too, he spent most of the pre-inaugural trying to get attention from both Obamas.
As always, there were funny tweets!
Hair, LAID. Waist, CINCHED. Fit, BIG DRIP – my forever First Lady did not come to play. pic.twitter.com/idLpj44g2h
— IAMNJERA (@IAMNJERA) January 20, 2021
One thing about Bush, he gon find Michelle pic.twitter.com/SOfQEFUTK2
— vaccine shaw, bad bih at law (@lajefa_logan) January 20, 2021
**raises hand** 😉 https://t.co/mwRl9gwPVI
— Yene Damtew (@yenedamtew) January 20, 2021
Michelle: handle yo shit
Kamala: no doubt pic.twitter.com/tc3shmyjE3— ♡ (@dopevibetweets) January 20, 2021
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
She looked FABULOUS!
Agree! When she walked out, I stopped breathing for a few seconds
Just perfect. <3
Same, I completely gasped. She looked amazing!
All these wonderful women make me want to get older in the hopes that maybe I could one day look this stylish, bad ass, elegant, beautiful and yes, sexy. At 56, 59 and hell yeah 80!
It’s a real pick me up for me too!
Lol, no need to rush getting older but yes, the ladies are perfect examples of aging not just gracefully but fiercely.
right? they made me feel better about aging, and make me stop believing the lies society has told us about women over 50 – they are total badasses, and totally STUNNING!
Well Monette I hope you get older, too, because it beats the alternative! But as a 54 year old, I can say one does not automatically acquire their confidence and poise with fashion from age and experience alone.
These are women of action and achievement basking in the glow of everyone’s admiration for them. That makes them comfortable in their own skin and that makes a difference as to whether they wear the clothes or the clothes wear them. You could put that same outfit on me and I would just look like a baked potato in tinfoil, lol. I’d be so lost and swimming in that outfit because I’m so introverted. I’d be like a turtle retreating into its shell.
Michelle looks like an Avenger because she really kind of is. And even she at times looked lost in some of her past outfits when she was First Lady and making her way in that job in the face of ugly racist criticism. I think she had her potato days, too, that she had to overcome. I remember a few times when she looked lost and swallowed up in her clothes. You can tell she found her stride.
“These are women of action and achievement basking in the glow of everyone’s admiration for them. That makes them comfortable in their own skin and that makes a difference as to whether they wear the clothes or the clothes wear them.”
I love this, @GuestwithCat. Rather than desperately trying to preserve our youth, may we all strive to grow older as women of action and achievement.
All true. And we have to remember that these ladies have a *team* of people who help them find outfits, tailor them, do their hair and makeup.
It’s not magic. It’s a group of well-trained artists who make that happen for them.
MO literally took my breath away when I saw her onscreen yesterday. Beautiful!
I saw someone tweet “now you know why melania didn’t show” and I laughed. I mean, she can’t touch that. Let’s face it. Just the presence alone. MO’s got IT. The IT factor.
@Darla, it was literally like a DListed post: “The Inauguration was cancelled because the universe decided democracy was solved, due to Michelle Obama’s outfit at 2021 Inauguration. From now on, there will be only one option on all future ballots: HELL YES, because that is the only realistic response to the outfit of fierceness she wore.”
Me too. I commented yesterday that she is always a beautiful woman, but my jaw dropped when I saw her yesterday. Just stunning.
She was breathtaking. Best part was when she walked out – a literal goddess.
Agreed. She was gorgeous.
I don’t usually feel much about Michelle’s style, but god she looked so good here.
THIS X 100! I thought she looked fabulous before becoming First Lady and after she left the WH. This outfit is glorious and IMO takes the attention off of Biden🤣. I’ll never understand why people praised her style when she was First Lady – I personally thought her stylist should have been fired and publicly shamed for what they did to Michelle.
She looked so, so good. And I do not think it is a coincidence that so many female power players wore shades of purple. There must have been some coordination. Hilary wore it, Elizabeth Warren had a purple scarf. I think I read it is a suffragette color to honor Kamala Harris?
When I first saw it I thought of the Catholic connation; a rebirth? White would be the color for suffrage. And I agree it was definitely coordinated, but I’m not sure of the significance. I saw speculation that it signified unity. Not sure.
In the suffrage movement, purple represented “the royal blood that flows in the veins of every suffragette, the instinct of freedom and dignity;”. Purple also was used in Shirley Chisholm’s Presidential run. Plus the whole red plus blue. It works on a lot of levels.
Oh I didn’t know that, how interesting! Thank you.
Purple and white were suffragette colors and purple was Shirley Chisholm’s favorite color. And yes, many of the women of Congress coordinate their color schemes, which is why so many of the women up on the platform had on touches of purple, like a scarf or gloves even if they weren’t fully bedecked in the color. Wednesdays, the women of the House usually wear red to bring awareness to women’s heart health but they changed it up for yesterday’s special occasion.
I think it might also have been a show bipartisanship because red and blue make purple
Someone on CNN yesterday (I think Abby Phillips?) said purple is one of the colors from Kamala’s sorority.
VP Harris 😁(I LOVE typing that) is an AKA and their colors are pink and green.
And I agree that purple works on many levels.
Purple and pearls were in honor of Shirley Chisholm. First black woman to run for presidency.
AKA colors are pink and green.
It was a wonderful moment when they steeped out and her beauty and fashion choices led me to gasp at her beauty, effortless style and her tribute to Shirley Chisolm. When the Obamas descended down the stairs and everyone was clapping at the two of them. They are truly loved, appreciated and respected!!! My heart just melted as the clapped for the Obamas as it gave me a sense that people on both side truly respect them. There was also a video of her greeting the Biden children as she approached them with this enormous smile and her arms opened wide to hug them!! She looked stunning!!! They are the most beautiful couple and she is such a formidable force of everything that is decent and commendable.
She looked AMAZING.
I was watching MSNBC, and they were talking away about the day, and then Joy Ann Reid asks, “can we just talk about the fashion for a minute” and then she was off and running about Michelle Obama. It was so cute because it was so obvious that Michelle’s fashion just stole the show for everyone.
And like I said yesterday – her look was ACCESSIBLE. Maybe I cant buy designer clothes, but I can definitely put together a similar monochromatic look if I ever need to wear something besides sweatpants again lol. And I think that was part of the power of it – it was overall a fairly simple look, but it was such a statement at the same time.
Yes and it got better upon closer inspection when you could see the various shades and textures. Just stunning.
@ Becks1, I watched on MSNBC as well and when Michelle entered and they immediately brought up fashion, it was apparent that MO entering the stage took the entire proceedings directly to a halt. MO walked in as a fierce, strong, stunning woman that she is. As her presence in the way she carried herself and her fashion choice was no denying how her entrance was one of the most important moments of the day. She is one of the most incredible, elegant and stunning women in the world and she has nice arm candy as well!!
Their banter during the proceedings were a delight for me.
I was in Purple Heaven yesterday and MO capped it off. So badass with the Wonder Woman belt buckle and TROUSERS. She looked wonderfully comfortable and stole the show. Amazing! You’re right, she even overshadowed Barak which is hard to do. ( I heard that the coat was cashmere, so warm as well!)
Aside from loving the look, thought she was smart because you can wear tights or leggings under those pants to stay warm, lol.
She looked so, so beautiful! Michelle and Barrack are effortless class personified and they always have been. They walk into a room and the whole energy of the place skyrockets.
@ Nenners, yes!! The Obama history will reflect their effortless charisma, class, beauty and integrity. A super power couple that are admired and loved by many across the world!! I was so thrilled that as they descended down those steps, most people began to clap at their entrance. Not only from admiration but also respect. I love them both and miss them terribly!! I wish them only the best that life has to offer.
On a side note, now this is in regards to Ivanka and Jared. There was an article that I read that the Kushner household would not allow secret service into their home to use the bathroom. They had like 6.5 bathrooms and they had to install a porta potty until the neighbors complained. But the Obama household opened up their home down the street for the SS to use. This is the epitome of Trump v Obama.
I think they chose purple because it’s the blend of red and blue. The message, really of the whole day, being UNITY.
I believe there was one more symbolic reason for the purple but can’t recall. I would think all the first ladies wore it for the unity of red and blue (Dem and Rep coming together to make purple). And that’s what FLOTUSes do – they are strong and they unite. I can think of no greater message to send to the world, to our nation and to the Trump Clan than that: we unite and we put country first. MO looked great. Classy and modern.
Also purple is one of the colours associated with the suffragette’s movement.
Women’s suffrage and Shirley Chisholm..
Not only was the outfit itself good, but she looked absolutely gorgeous in that colour. Her hair was fantastic too with the curls.
“and she also telegraphed it with her thrown-together, little-effort styling. She didn’t think the Trumps were worth the effort…”
While this is completely off topic here, I just want to point out that this is EXACTLY the point I was trying to make several months back when we were all here discussing the issue with what Kate wore to Meghan’s wedding. I brought up her lack of styling (no bouncy curls, no fancy updo) and attributed it to her determination to show Meghan she was not worth the effort of even dressing up. I was having trouble putting it into words at the time, though. But anyways…
Michelle looked like fire!!
I remember you saying that and agreed with you – it was something that hadnt occurred to me in all of the debate over “is it white or cream or pale yellow” but looking back, her hair alone was definitely sending a message.
Melissa Murray posted something on twitter – one of those “how it started, how it’s going” memes – with MO from 2017 and from yesterday and it cracked me up.
I saw that Tweet and it cracked me up!
I loved that tweet, absolutely nailed it.
Yeah, in my broadcast the journalist was like, “Hey, it’s Michelle Obama!! She looks stunning! This means there must be Barack Obama arriving as well.” And he proceeded to look at her and talk about her and realized only a few seconds later that Barack was next to her all this time LOOOL. I mean, it’s party because of the masks, but also because she sucked up all the attention. Stunning.
Michelle blew me away! I had forgotten how statuesque she is, such a presence! All the women looked amazing – it was so nice to see them all on stage together – I could feel the pride and emotion as VP Harris took her oath (I was bawling at home)
Yeah Michelle’s look was fire & funny as had ‘Laid’ trending on Twitter because people were talking about her hair looking amazing. They strode in like the power couple they are.
She looked just….sigh…absolutely amazing!!!
BO really looked like just a guy who was escorting Michelle. He could have been a Marine for all we know yesterday.
LOL, I saw posts that were like “Michelle is here! Oh and she brought some guy.“.
They both look great and it’s always a joy to see them, but man did she look stunning. STUNNING.
I really love that so many of the prominent women did a single color ensemble, and I love all the blues and purples.
Right! I didn’t even notice him truth he told. It was like “who’s had plus one?” She’s a STAR and I love how comfortable he is with that. A very secure man.
Our Second Gentleman is the same way, and I love it!
The main thing I noticed about him yesterday was that he wasn’t wearing gloves. Come on, gentlemen, it’s not freezing, but you’re going to spend a long time in the cold! Ask Bernie if he has an extra pair of mittens!
She was fierce and the woman who did her hair was on Twitter and she is going to be booked for months.
Also yeah, W always seems to find Michelle. He is so happy he’s not the worst GOP President anymore.
Stunning as always and she is the Avenger we need – dammit, Marvel do ya thing.
But seriously, the color palette just personified the joy and relief of the day – color flowed back into the world, the sun returned and things looked brighter. Also, I’m not sure about the coordination, but Kamala Harris chose her color to honor Shirley Chisholm.
Also, her double fist bump with Michelle gave me life.
All I can say is 😍😍😍
Michelle & I aren’t ONLY from the same Hood on the South Side of the Chi…we also have VERY SIMILAR FASHION TASTE! I pretty much have that EXACT outfit in my closet…and if I had a job…and offices were opened…I WOULD SO BE ROCKING IT TADAY❣❣❣
🙂
A absolutely fantastic look! Also sensible because the pants would keep her warm. I wish they all wore pants and great boots! What did Michelle wear on her feet?
Michelle’s whole look was fire. Trevor Noah last night described Bernie and Michelle as, “an old man on his way to the post office and a lady whose outfit just called me a broke b*tch” 🙂
Lol @ all the Bernie memes. Twitter was full of good natured humor and joy yesterday. It was so refreshing after all the doom scrolling.
Michelle Obama was radiant. Total Avenger taking the country back energy.
Doom scrolling made me chuckle!
Michelle was everything in that outfit. Pure 🔥🔥. Loved everything about it.
She’s an amazing woman and this outfit is EPIC. I had to google as I couldn’t watch live and I saw comments in the live post on here talking about her.. and how she looked. Let me tell you, typing ‘Michelle Obama inauguration’ brought up PAGES of references to her outfit yesterday.
It just feels like half the world is relieved and happy and revelling in that.
Obsessed with this outfit! I screamed when she showed up on screen. She looks like the badass that she is!
That floorlength coat and the way she was standing made me think of Samuel L Jackson as Nick Fury. What if she had a cameo in one of the new Avengers movies as a SHIELD director? Nicole Fury anyone?
Michelle Obama looked FIRE!!! I will never get over the styling of this outfit.
She looked AMAZING. I saw a funny post on instagram yesterday that all of the women put together in their lovely jewel tones looked like Infinity Stones that snapped Trump away. Ahaha.
VP Harris wore Christopher John Rogers to the inauguration. Her black evening look (at the evening event at the Lincoln Memorial – loved it) was Sergio Hudson.
The whole day was wonderful.
Oh my God Michelle Obama killed it! She looked amazing!!!
PERFECTION.
The women all looked fab – but my favourite look of the day was Bernie Saunders in his parka and those massive mittens, looking like grandpa wandered past all the security to get a better view.
She did not walk into that venue, she strutted, she slayed, she owned that damn place!!
The guy on her arm, Barry is it….had that salt & pepper going for him, not too shabby either.
I feel like the word “showstopper” gets tossed around too much, but this is in fact IT.
I’m here to say I want Bernie’s mittens! They look so warm.
Apparently they were a gift from a constituent (I think) and they are made from recycled sweaters and lined with fleece made from recycled water bottles. There was an article about it, though I’m not sure I can link in the comments.
When she stepped out, I had to catch my breath. If I ever had to choose royalty, she’d be my queen. What a pillar. She is the 5,000-year-old bristlecone pine named Methuselah. I can safely call her our past, present and future.😁
I think that’s an interesting take about Michelle Obama not making an effort on Trump’s inauguration day. I didn’t really see it that way at the time. I wished that she would have bossed it up a whole bunch because that’s who she is.
To me it was showing class and deference, not in a bad way but to not take away from the Trumps’ moment. I wish she had majorly bossed it up in 2017. But anyway yesterday sure made up for the 2017 inauguration day. She looked totally amazing… just WOW.
I almost fell off my couch when Michelle stepped out. She looked fierce as hell. That hair. So much envy over her hair. I thought she was wearing a jumpsuit at first. Those pants, that belt, that COAT…OMG, she was looking fine. I stan. Forever.
Was also wicked excited to see Michelle, couldn’t take my eyes off her. Just want to add this: it’s nice to see a powerful woman dressing in something *she* feels confident in. M*lani@ always wore that stepford crap, fashion-for-male-gaze stuff. I personally prefer manrepeller-type-looks and it’s symbolically what I’m here for
I’ve lived in workout clothes since last March. The thought of cinch belt right now makes me shudder, but is nice to be reminded that we have so much to look for to. I’ll need to get back in shape but maybe a power suit or two awaits me in the future.
Michele looked INCREDIBLE!!!!
She looked beautiful. Damn it. I have to buy a new coat.
Absolutely stunning!
I have not been a fan of most of MO’s outfit choices and l can’t say l like this one much either.
Like most everyone, I was immediately “Michelle! You have all the look!” Yelling at my TV in joy was fun, instead of frustration. Although, I did take a big break from news etc. recently. Although there will be frustrations still, it feels so much better.
She looked fierce and amazing. Pretty much every social media outlet was like “Michella Obama and a fan/guest.”
I imagine the next time Michelle Obama graces a magazine cover, Melania will take a copy to Donald and say, “Look, they chose me for the cover after all!”
She looked amazing!The hair and makeup ( eyelashes) is what did it. I’m not crazy about the pants but the way everything is pulled together, the gorgeous color, her height, is just stunning. That and the swagger. She is 57 years old, looks just stunning. I liked how monochrome all of the women were in their outfits yesterday. Was such a good ceremony.
My Forever Flotus arrived to the U.S. Capitol yesterday in her fire ensemble to snatch edges and souls! When she and her plus one descended those stairs, I screamed at my t.v., “Yassssss Hunty, come thru Michelle!” As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, I was already on Cloud 9 resulting from my Sorority sister becoming the single-most powerful woman in the world. Michelle’s grace – coupled with with that awe-inspiring poem from Miss Amanda Gorman had me elated. I was smiling so hard yesterday!
Michelle was stunning! I feel I am still recovering from how she blew me away with this look.
She really was breathtaking! I was on the phone and watching her when she made her entrance on TV, and said oh my gosh, Michelle looks incredible! And to fair, it’s hard for me to take my eyes off of former President Obama for even a minute 🙂 but yes she looked stunning. Well done to them all! It was a lovely day indeed.
OMG! That outfit! Un-F-ing believable! One thing is for sure Ms Obama knows how to handle business. AND!!! All of the ladies yesterday where just stunning, fabulous, and amazing! ALL OF THEM!!!
Just like to add that Hillary also wore purple and looked fab!
It’s a new day! The internet can do its thing and be funny again!