Everyone seems to have an opinion of the dress, love it or hate it.

Michelle Obama, whose style has been described as sophisticated yet down to earth and sassy, caused a stir when she appeared onstage on the election night Chicago rally.

Mrs. Obama chose a black cardigan over a scoop-neck black sheath with splashes of red in the upper and lower half separated by a crisscross sash at the hips that comes straight off the spring 2009 runway collection of Narciso Rodriguez, one of the most critically acclaimed of New York Fashion Week. (Just a note: Rodriguez is the designer of the wedding dress that Carolyn Bessette wore when she got married to JFK, Jr. in the mid-90s.)

Photo Courtesy of AP

Reportedly a few tweaks were made to it to turn it from a sexy cocktail dress to a “First Lady” type dress. Reportedly the bodice was lengthened and Mrs. Obama layered that black cardigan on top. Also it appears that the sheer, short hemline seen on the runway was altered for the Obama version. Julie Gilhart, fashion director of New York’s Barneys clothing store, told the NYTimes,

“That dress was unpretentious, it said, Be who you are - don’t let someone else tell you how to be.”’

Her style seems to have gained notice internationally.

The UK Times Online describes Michelle Obama as a ‘new type of First Lady’, a woman who isn’t afraid to break conventional rules but steps boldly into the spotlight with confidence, a down-to-earth demeanor and a fearless fashion sense that makes her stand apart in many ways from former President’s wives.

The Italian Daily La Stampa dubbed the dress “the look of victory and said that the black symbolized mourning for the President-elects’ grandmother, who died on the eve of the election, while the red was for passion.”

Carola Long of the Independent in London said Michelle Obama’s fashion sense was a far cry from the traditional first lady look “reminiscent of the uptight Bree from Desperate Housewives”.

Michelle Obama’s fashion sense, which spans from Narciso Rodriguez & Maria Pinto to White House/Black Market and J. Crew, should be good for the fashion economy.

Pinto says that due to Obama’s public appearances in her designs her retail orders are up 45%!

She can be extremely casual or very glamourous as shown on the campaign trail.

Obama’s visit to The View had her in a Donna Ricco sleeveless $148.00 off-the-rack tank dress from White House/Black Market that flew off the racks and sold out in many locations.

The NY Times said “At the least, it promises four lively years of fashion-watching at the White House,” said the New York Times. I agree.

Technorati Tags: celebrity fashion, Michelle Obama, Michelle Obama election night dress, Michelle Obama fashion

Tags: celebrity fashion, Michelle Obama, Michelle Obama election night dress, Michelle Obama fashion