First Lady Style - A History

I visited the nation's capital this weekend. I'm not a political person, but was drawn to the National Museum of American History's First Ladies exhibit.  While the exhibition had artifacts ranging from their dinnerware to personal effects, the highlight was clearly their gowns.  Not all of them were the inaugural gowns, but they represented the style each of them possessed. 

 Michelle Obama's famous white Jason Wu inaugural gown were on display.  You learned that Grace Coolidge was known as "sunshine" had terrific flapper style in the 1920's.  

Certain designers became linked with certain First Ladies, defining their style.  There was a pretty dress from Oleg Cassini for Jackie Kennedy and Laura Bush's red beaded Michael Faircloth gown, a nod to local talent. 

Judith Leiber clutch handbags were clearly the favorite of contemporary First Ladies.  

Some outfits, though worn many years ago, have timeless style that looks perfectly elegant today, like Lou Hoover's draped crepe gown from 1932 or Nancy Reagan's beaded James Galanos gown (above).