What Michelle could wear: Inaugural gowns plucked

oscar de la renta

September 11, 2012

How Michelle Obama will grace this year's inaugural balls remains a sartorial state secret, but two things stand as near guarantees: She'll again don a New York-based designer, and she'll re-flaunt those enviable arms. Though hers will no doubt be a couture creation, plenty of inspiration floated down the spring 2013 ready-to-wear runways. USA TODAY's Olivia Barker plumbed the pretty gowns for presidential possibilities. Few designers are as synonymous with beautiful ball gowns as Oscar de la Renta, who put Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush in gold and silver sparkles for their second inaugurals. The graphic quality of this dress is fresh yet still first-lady friendly, featuring just enough edge. It's even feasible to imagine Obama, with her penchant for mixing patterns and solids, pairing it with the accompanying chunky, Wilma Flintstone necklace.