Do you love Michelle Obama's dress?

Congratulations to president-elect Barack Obama for his historical win in the elections. A tear just trickled down when I heard his acceptance speech. He spoke with such charisma and conviction, it's hard not to be overwhelmed by emotions. Speaking of a historical new beginning, there may just be another new beginning. A breath of fresh air amongst the fashion sense in the White House. The Obama family took the stage by storm on Tuesday night in cute color-coordinated outfits, themed in red and black. The message was also strong, that the Obama family is a strongly united close-knit family. And very Democratic indeed.

The first words that escaped me when I first saw Michelle Obama's Narciso Rodriguez dress was, "Wow, that's different!" Thankfully, she is not decked out in customary pantsuits and boring pastels which we've seen all too much by now. Michelle Obama toned down her dress by wearing a cardigan over her black and red sheath dress. That dress really made a statement, it was striking, strong and bold. She is very democratic in her fashion sense and doesn't follow the well-taken path, she represents the new. President-elect Barack Obama wore a dark-navy suit custom-made by Hart Schaffner Marx accompanied with a deep red, striped necktie. He was dashing and looked every part the future President.

With the good comes the bad. To be honest, Michelle's dress is fresh and bold, but it really fails to flatter her figure. It made her look rather stocky and even ignites pregnancy suspicions. Plus, the altered neckline and black cardigan really didn't help at all. As you can see from the picture, the original dress from Narciso Rodriguez's spring 2009 collection is really beautiful, if left intact...

While Michelle's choice of dress is debatable, one thing's for sure everybody loves the children. Daughters Malia and Sasha wore cute matching dresses, with Malia in a red bubble dress and Sasha in a black dress with an oversized bow in front. How cute they look, perfect complements to Barack and Michelle.

The choice of her dress that night is questionable, but it's undeniable that Michelle Obama has exquisite taste in fashion. I've a feeling we won't be seeing so many pantsuits and more designer dresses. A new era has dawned in the White House and it just gets better. A toast to the first family!

Do you like Michelle's dress? Love it or hate it?

Which fashion rules are bendable?: Beauty Shoutout Wednesdays

Today on Beauty Shoutout Wednesdays, let's talk about fashion. One of my favourite topics besides skincare. Fashion is extremely fun but fashion faux pas is a big taboo. Fashion victims and all beings of fashion should know that there are just certain things that we SHOULDN'T do at all- for the love of our eyes. There are lots of fashion rules to learn but they are actually easy and almost avoidable. The truth is, no matter who we are, what we do and where we live, we're almost always judged by our appearance first. It's the truth, even if it does sound a tad too superficial. But, wait a minute, according to InStyle.com, there may be some fashion rules that could be bent! Yeah, you've read it right, apparently some fashion rules are made for breaking. Check out some of these bendable rules that I find interesting:

Rule #1: Showing skin is unsophisticated

The Experts: On the right dress, a tasteful peekaboo adds fun to an otherwise normal dress. Joy Bryant looks sophisticated in an otherwise simple Matthew Williamson with a cute cutout in the waist

My say: I think it looks like Joy Bryant had a fight with Wolverine and her dress shows the tell tale signs of the battle. Don't love this look. For me, showing skin would be more justified by showing some cleavage (tastefully) while covering up the legs or vice versa. To show one asset at a time. I truly believe in flaunting what you have...while it still lasts

Rule #2: Maxi dresses are only for tall women

The Experts: Petites no longer need to shy away from the maxi dress mania this summer. Eva Longoria, Jessica Simpson and Kristen Bell have all mastered and emerged winners in this summery style. Just choose a dress in a light fabric, like Bell's sheer silk gown from Jenni Kayne, to avoid adding bulk, and wear with comfortable, height-adding wedges.

My say: I personally think maxi dresses are really beautiful and comfortable. I still stick by the rule, wear it if it looks good on you. Sometimes, no matter how popular a trend is, if it's not meant for you, it really just isn't. Stick to styles that flatter you most

Rule #3: Avoid clashing colors

The experts: An unexpected color combination can make heads turn in a good way. Chic Reese Witherspoon paired a Rory Beca dress in hot pink and red with matching red sandals. A pared-down silhouette put the color combo -- and Witherspoon in the spotlight

My say: I love this daring choice of colors on this beautiful dress. The keyword here is, matching color contrasts. Hmm... doesn't really sound right putting them all in one sentence, though. That said. I don't wish to see bold red paired with lime green. Uurgh... a vision I hope never to see. But, beautifully paired clashing colors like Reese's choice can almost certainly escalate you to a new-found savvy status. This red paired with hot pink seems to be quite a trend among celebrities. I've seen this color combination on Eva Longoria in one of Chic Stories' post.


Rule #4: No denim on denim please

The experts: You can sport a jean jacket with jeans as long as yo u vary the wash of the two pieces. Rihanna gave a sophisticated twist to double denim, wearing skinny white jeans with a light-wash belted jacket.

My say: I love this look. Rihanna totally rocks this look. I agree that both the jacket and the jeans need to be in different washes for a nice contrast. Againt, matching contrast please! However, I do have a pet peeve with overly washed denim. Those are so, so outdated. Also, a denim jacket with jeans is Ok, not a denim shirt though. Emulate denim on denim with taste

Rule #5: Don't wear light colored shoes with dark stockings

The experts: Black tights get extra chic when worn with a pair of eye-popping pumps. Sarah Jessica Parker gave her minidress a downtown spin with opaque tights and pale pink heels. Keep the Sex and the City star's immaculate shoes in mind when picking your kicks--all eyes will be drawn downward so be wary of scuffs.

My say: Uuurgh, I couldn't believe what I see. And of all people it's Sarah Jessica Parker, one of the most fabulously chic celebrity ever. I know we adore shoes alot, but not to the extent of dressing up just to showcase the shoes. In fact, in the picture, SJP's shoes look very much like hotel room slippers. Don't you think so? I hope this 'bendable' rule doesn't catch on. I choose to carve this rule in stone forever and leave it as that

Do you like any of these bendable fashion rules? Share with me some of your own bendable fashion rules and don'ts.