Historic Win Ushers in Iconic White House Style

The moving boxes aren’t even packed yet and Michelle Obama, wife of president-elect Barack Obama, is already the most watched First Lady (in waiting) in fashion history since Camelot. After a succession of starchy attired wallflower wives, Mrs. O has shown she has what it takes to be the next White House style icon.  Even before her husband clinched the win for the Oval, she received the fashion industry’s vote of approval, topping Vanity Fair’s best dressed list.

In a town dressed down in Ann Taylor and Talbot separates and sensible shoes, the Ivy league-educated lawyer promises to bring a dash of glamour to dress up D.C.’s lack of vogue.  She carries herself with supermodel grace and opts for bright or floral feminine shift dresses, putting her own personal spin on the elegantly fuss-free look with an eye-catching brooch or necklace.

And in these serious economic times, Michelle’s democratic mix of high-low fashion is easily accessible by the masses from both the left and the right.  A black-and-white H&M dress she sported for an appearance with the ladies of The View immediately flew off the rack.  Politics aside, we’re pretty sure the public didn’t flock to their local mall to copy Laura Bush’s conservative librarian look or pick up a Hillary headband.  Amid the “Fashion-Gate” flack over the GOP’s $150K expenditure on designer clothes for Sarah Palin, Michelle pointedly mentioned that both she and Barack paid for their own campaign clothes and showed off an adorably affordable J Crew outfit that she bought online for an appropriately thrifty $340. We LOVE the thought of her checking out Gap.com in the White House Residence!

When it comes to accessories, the statuesque 5′11″ beauty has displayed a preference for ballet flats, much like fashionable French first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. Cole Haan Air Camille ballet flats are reportedly some of her favorites. Sky-high heels wouldn’t have exactly been practical on the arduous campaign trail, but according to Trendyshoeshop.com, she still loves to wear stilettos and slingback kitten heels on occasion.

After the fashion furor over the Narciso Rodriguez dress Michelle wore when Barack clinched the presidency, the whole world is chomping at the bit to see her inaugural gown pick and if she’ll showcase her elevation to fashionista-in-chief in a stellar pair of stilettos or stay grounded in dressy flats. In our opinion, if ever there was a time to sport a wickedly expensive pair of designer heels, accompanying your husband as he is sworn in as America’s first black president would be it.

In anticipation of four years (at least!) of fashion-watching at the White House, ShoeMinx offers Michelle these Rene Caovilla grey moiré slingbacks to pair with her oh-so-elegant signature style.

Posted by ShoeMinx Reporter Paige Muller

Prince William’s Sweetie Pops a Royal Wheelie

Kate Middleton looked more like a disco queen than a princess-in-waiting at the Day-Glo Midnight Roller Disco in London. You can just imagine “Let it Whip” playing in the background. Kate organized the charity event to raise funds for a new surgical ward in memory of an old school friend who died of cancer. Prince William’s on-again, off-again gal pal did her best Olivia Newton-John imitation in a green sequin top, yellow hot pants, electric pink leg warmers and black boots.  And lots of leg.  Royal watchers no doubt were well-pleased.  The Queen Mum probably less so.

Recently voted onto Vanity Fair’s “International Best-Dressed List,” the Roller Girl attire is quite a departure for the usually town-and-country clad Kate. The royalton swapped her black boots for bright pink 80s roller-skates, conjuring up echoes of the Late Princess Diana inline-skating through London’s Hyde Park.  That and her charitable works had UK tabloids furiously penning another round of “Is Kate Middleton the new Diana?” columns. What a royal pain.  Sometimes girls - even future residents of Buckingham Palace - just wanna have fun.

Black boots go with everything, even retro 80s outfits.  Shop for the best styles and prices here.