First Lady's Fashion Evokes Elegant Comfort, Classic Shapes

First Lady Michelle Obama has been hailed as a competent and compassionate leader and thinker, quite capable of aiding her husband's aim for positive change in the United States. But in the few short months since the Obamas' entry to the White House, and even during the long and arduous campaign trail leading to the President's eventual victory, the First Lady has been highly acclaimed for something not quite as essential to the course of human history, but still able to captivate the minds, eyes, and credit card statements of people around the world. Michelle Obama's fashion sense has quickly become known as a return to the classic shapes and elegant yet casual feel of the mid-twentieth century, recalling the air of Jackie Kennedy. Whether hopping off a plane or attending a state dinner, the First Lady's fashion picks show an attention to taste and detail while still managing to stay true to her own personal aesthetic inclinations.



Shown here in February at an appearance at UCLA, Mrs. Obama dons an easy outfit of tailored chinos topped with a sleeveless, mandarin-collar white shirt that evokes grace and class without being overbearing. One of the First Lady's signature themes has emerged as a particular affinity for pearls. Whether freshwater, cultured, or lab-created -- or even made of glass, plastic, or bakelite, the round gobs of glow appear to be a favorite choice for pretty much any occasion. Showing off a piece of costume jewelry with lots of pizazz that nevertheless is able to carry through with the outfit's casual theme, Mrs. Obama sports a double row of aqua-tinted faux pearls at the Los Angeles university.



In this photograph taken just this week at Downing Street, London, the President and First Lady depart from a dinner for G20 Summit Leaders. Stepping out in style, Mrs. Obama pairs a tea-length a-line skirt with subtle structural details with a subdued white tank, showing off sleek lines while recalling the fanciful fashion of 1960's poodleskirts. Returning a staple wardrobe booster, she accents the tank's neckline with another double row of pearls, this time creating the classic creamy glow of natural beads.



Seen here again last week, Mrs. Obama paid a visit to Maggie's Cancer Caring Center also in London. Creating quite a buzz with her sparkling, barely-pink cardigan, the First Lady exuded comfort and style. Cardigan maker J Crew reported that the item quickly sold out following her appearance in the press. The same might hold true for the spearmint green pencil skirt as well, which helped create a vision of Spring and Easter without being gaudy. The double-stranded pearl necklace made a second appearance during the event.

Though Mrs. Obama may be able to enjoy jewelry a bit more flashy than the average American at the moment, her taste seems to stay on the side of pretty prudence. With bold yet classic costume jewelry and pearl pieces, she complements her stylish wardrobe and seems set to invigorate the national fashion consciousness with something practical, yet certainly special.

Tiffany and Co's “Iridesse” Pearl Shops Are Belly-Up

It's a classic mainstay of American culture, especially for trend-hounds and the fashionista set: the classic blue Tiffany's jewelry box. In a color that evokes the timeless elegance of the company's trademark sterling silver jewelry, these boxes have held precious baubles and gifts for decades, becoming a notorious symbol of the American jewelry industry and of luxury itself. But in the face of the current economic difficulties, is the blue box on its way out?
Officially, Tiffany & Co aren't about to lock up their doors. But Iridesse, a pearls-only branch founded in 2004, announced late February that they'll be packing away the pretty earrings, necklaces, and bracelets and closing up due to disappointing sales. The chain, which was established with sixteen retail stores, featured austere interiors that attempted to highlight the glow and luminescence of the pearls. But whether shoppers simply weren't impressed or have become wary of investing in expensive fine jewelry, the effort to showcase these items has proved inadequate at best.
Some have speculated that the Chinese freshwater pearl trade, which has made less expensive pearls widely available on the modern market, is to blame for the drop in sales of fine cultured pearls. Others point simply to the inability of many to purchase such expensive accouterments during the recession. But gaze into the jewelry boxes of modern women and take a gander at any runway or fashion mag and you'll cave to the insider consensus: pearls are still hot, and they don't have to break the bank to win a place among your collection.
Costume jewellery pearls achieve warmth and brilliance without the financial pain of their precious cultured cousins. Pearls create a soothing and elegant backdrop for dazzling gems when strung together in costume jewellery necklaces:



Baroque pearls, mysterious and intriguing swirls of dark and iridescent colors in peculiar shapes hailing from the South Pacific, are a popular fine jewelry choice that may nevertheless fall victim to the problem of affordability. But never fear, costume jewelry has the baroque pearl look down pat:




For a look that really captures all the lustre of classic pearls, a mix of pearly and silk wrapped beads moving fluidly on a gold chain evokes the glow of the real thing:




Iridesse may be saying sayonara to the rigorous world of jewelry retailing, but the essential appeal of pearls is one which no economic downturn can stamp out. And so long as creative designers turn out affordable pieces that evoke all the creamy glory of these lovely pieces, no neck will have to go without.