First lady fashion: Michelle's style lessons

Fashion tips from the new first lady. By Bernadette Fallon

Michelle Obama's style has already attracted a quite a lot of favourable comment - those ubiquitous shift dresses for example, and so easy to wear! So there are certainly a few lessons to be learned from this first lady's particular brand of fashion nous.

 

1. Mix expensive with chain store buys - in Michelle's case this involves combining brands like J Crew with top notch US designers Narcisco Rodriguez and Isabel Toledo.

 

In the middle of recession it makes sense to stick to budget buys, but you can give the look a lift by wearing thrifty finds with classic pieces from your wardrobe.

 

2. Adapt clothes to suit your own particular style - take example from Michelle who added eye-catching jewellery, pretty cardigans, and even altered dressmaking details, to give outfits an individual twist. Re-working out-of-date clothes with a trip to the dressmaker is a great way to give your existing wardrobe a budget makeover - and you will also create bespoke one-off pieces.

 

3. Dress down a shift dress with flat shoes for daywear - keeping it simple and comfortable too.

 

4. Support local! In Michelle's case this involved advancing the cause of American fashion by showcasing home designers. Here in the UK it means being aware of the origin of what we buy and maybe supporting local boutiques and dressmakers, scouring craft fairs for UK made accessories and jewellery, to keep small retailers in business during these cost-cutting times.

 

5. Develop your own signature style - know what looks good on you and work to your strengths. Think about using the services of a personal shopper - many of the large department stores, such as Debenhams, offer this service free of charge (with the hope you will spend money on the clothes selected). It's a great way to get free expert advice on what suits you and what doesn't.

 

6. Go the whole hog and hire a personal stylist. See it as an investment in your future wardrobe, as in the long run it will save you money on costly mistakes. It can be surprising affordable to employ somebody to do a wardrobe ‘spring-clean' and help you get the basics right. Just a few hours will do it, then like Michelle you can go forth confident in your new found style. Read Ceril Campbell's expert advice on finding your own style; she also offers her services as a personal stylist, see Ceril's fashion tips here.

 

7. Stephanie Solomon, fashion director of Bloomingdale's, says ‘Mrs Obama is very elegant and has wonderful taste. But she also recognises the value of beautiful dresses and not big prices. She dresses like taste doesn't necessarily have to do with brand or status, but with what looks well on your body and makes you look glamorous'.

Which is a valuable lesson to be learned!

 

Photos: JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images

 

 

 

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