It is a certainty that all of you who regularly read Mrs-O consider our First Lady, Michelle Obama to be a stylish inspiration. But have you considered our Second Lady, Dr Jill Biden to be a style inspiration too? I certainly have!
Dr Biden has been turning heads since she joined the Obama campaign team in 2008. She participated in a Vogue photoshoot with female members of her family in 2008, quickly setting the stage for what she would bring to the Obama/Biden White House.
Her 2009 inaugural ceremony dress was a gray tweed shift from the brand Milly, borrowed from her daughter-in-law Hallie. The company quickly reissued the dress, renaming it the ‘Dr Biden.’ Her red strapless inaugural gown by Reem Acra was certainly a stunner, the bright classic color given a contemporary design twist for the new presidency that was beginning. A few of my friends said they preferred it to the First Lady’s gown, but there lies another tale!
Dr Biden has a wardrobe of staple ‘go-tos.’ These include suits, dresses, simple diamond jewellery, bright colors, stilettos and knee high boots. She has a bright blue draped jersey dress which is particularly stylish, and her choices of evening gowns are always spot on and appropriate for the occasion. She often wears pieces from Milly, and I’ll always remember when she selected a pair of silver Reva flats by Tory Burch for a visit with the First Lady to a food drive.
In an interview with Marie Claire magazine in 2010, her outfit was described as consisting of a “ruffled blue oxford-cloth shirt, black pencil skirt, gray jacket and leaving a whiff of Chanel Cristalle.” This sophisticated description describes Dr Biden’s style perfectly- classic and chic with a contemporary twist.
Her choice of designers for the 2013 inaugural celebrations were similarly as sophisticated. A custom Lela Rose coat and dress kept Dr Biden warm for the inaugural ceremony, and by night, she had changed into a blue Vera Wang scoop-neck gown, accessorised with a black bow belt. This choice gained Dr Biden great media coverage, with sites such as Stylelist and The Guardian declaring her gown as radiant and sophisticated.
Dr Biden has been quoted saying that it is “important for my students to see how professional women dress,” and there is no doubt that she has been successful in this mission. Dr Biden wears functional and fashionable professional clothes that women across America and indeed the world wear to their jobs on a daily basis. Like the First Lady, Dr Biden is a great ambassador for American fashion across the globe, and even though the same amount of media coverage does not follow her like her ‘First’ counterpart, there is little doubt that people are paying attention to how she dresses.
Dr Biden remains an individual to watch- both for her sense of style and her commitment to her country, profession and family. There is no doubt that she will leave a strong legacy when she exits the White House- and it will be a stylish one that.
Laura-Emily Dunn is the founder and editor of Political Style. Follow her on Twitter, here.
The President and First Lady attended the 43rd annual Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Legislative Conference dinner in Washington last Saturday.
Per the Huffington Post, Mrs. O wore the same jeweled J.Crew belt that she debuted for the 2013 inauguration, here.
First Lady Michelle Obama hosted the spouses of chiefs of state and heads of government participating in the UN General Assembly for a luncheon at The Studio Museum in Harlem on Tuesday. Above, Mrs. O poses for a photo with Michelle Muscat, wife of Joseph Muscat, the prime minister of Malta.
For the event, Mrs. O wore a blue and white, floral embellished dress with a slim belt at the waist. Taupe heels completed the look.
Update: The designer of the blue and white sheath dress is Carolina Herrera. Thanks to all for the tips!
The President and First Lady boarded Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland today. The Obamas are headed to New York City for a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly. For travel, Mrs. O wore a blue and aubergine print dress paired with a cropped cardigan. A layered necklace and structured handbag completed the look.
On Friday, the First Lady hosted a luncheon in honor of the winners of the 2013 National Design Awards, which are organized by the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum. For more on the 2013 winners, click here.
Above, Mrs. O poses for a photo with the National Student Poets award winners in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House.
Per the Wall Street Journal, Mrs. O wore a "sleeveless dress in autumnal burgundy and blackberry tones by New York designer Reed Krakoff."