The White House's Symbolic Fashion and Weight Loss Agenda -- Success!

There's been a lot of internet traffic analyzing Michelle O's fashion selection for last night's State Dinner honoring Chinese President Hu Jintao, who opted to wear a simple dark suit to a black-tie affair.  (Those Chinese.  So . . . thrifty -- and fashion, um, negligent.  Not as bad as the NorKs, mind you, but . . . geez!) 

Many of the fashionistas have criticized the dress, for one reason or another.

Ordinarily, I'm not a big fan of Michelle's wardrobe selections, but this time I have to give it to her.  The color and style were both very flattering to her figure, plus the color red is said to symbolize prosperity and happiness in China, or good luck. 

And we all know how much into symbolism this White House is!

Even though the dress passes Moogie's muster, I'm a little disappointed about her accessory choices.  Michelle just couldn't leave well enough alone -- she had to go and pull something out of the back of her closet to wear as a wrap.  Or perhaps from her spinster great aunt's Palestinian headscarf closet.



The shawl didn't really even function as a wrap.  One might be wise to wear something a little warmer outdoors in D.C. in the middle of January, for crying out loud!  Or, maybe this is part of her "healthy weight" initiative -- eat all the steak, lobster, apple pie, and ice cream you'd like and shiver off that excess poundage.

(The dress also helped her come off as "powerful American woman who towers above puny Chinese leader.  I can squish you with one hand, little underdressed man."  Ah, so!!!  Symbolism, or symbolism?)

Michelle and her handlers really seem to like a black and red combination.  The State Dinner dress was reminiscent of, but not too terribly like, her choice for the 2008 election night victory appearance --

And, fortunately, not nearly as scary!  That "black widow" dress and pose still creep me out.