The election of a new president guarantees one thing for his wife: The first lady likely will remain in the style spotlight for the rest of her life. She becomes a role model-celebrity-trendsetter as soon as her spouse hits the campaign trail.
When the glow and glare of the spotlight hits, nothing appears to be off-limits. Their dresses, pants suits, peplums, ruffles, ruching, smile, weight, hair, jewelry, shoulders, ankles, shoes ... and even, yes, scrunchies.
So what will happen when a woman finally takes the Oval Office? Will the first gentleman get the same spotlight of scrutiny and snark? Maybe, in 2016, we’ll find out.
For now, let’s look back. While all first ladies had their own style, some did it better than others. Test your Style IQ.
Molly Trosch of Charlotte provided research assistance
Know your first ladies? Match the number with the letter
1 Which First Lady preferred to wear black tops with white pants or skirts for what she considered the reserve of the “waiter look”?
2 Known for her love of jewelry, she sometimes wore a diamond tiara during her time in The White House.
3 To keep with her husband’s “America First” economic policy, her inaugural ball gown was made in America.
4 Oscar de la Renta, often called the First Lady’s designer of choice, says that this one in particular “never made a single faux pas” when it came to fashion.
5 This First Lady ordered her inaugural dress through Neiman Marcus. "I like clothes ... I like them pretty, but I want them to serve me, not for me to serve them."
6 A reporter got a pointed reply from this former First Lady when asked which designers she wore. Her response: “Would you ever ask a man that question?”
More questions
7. What did Dolley Madison wear to get attention?
A. Peacock feathers
B. Turkey feathers
C. Ostrich feathers
D. Quail feathers
8. Which is true about Michelle Obama?
A. She favors diverse designers such as Jason Wu, Tracy Feith, Isabel Toledo and clothing from J. Crew and White House Black Market.
B. She was on the Vogue cover.
C. Designer Oscar de la Renta feels snubbed and has taken pot shots at the First Lady.*
D. All of the above
*Ann Romney wore a De la Renta dress when she addressed the RNC Aug. 28.
9. Who was the first to not wear a hat at her husband’s inauguration?
A. Laura Bush
B. Eleanor Roosevelt
C. Edith Wilson
D. Ida McKinley
10. Who has been called “America’s Most Glamorous Grandmother”?
A. Barbara Bush
B. Mamie Eisenhower
C. Lady Bird Johnson
D. Bess Truman
ANSWERS
1. F: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
2. E: Helen “Nellie Taft
3. C: Caroline Harrison
4. A: Nancy Reagan
5. B: Lady Bird Johnson
6. D: Hillary Clinton
7: C; 8: D; 9: A; 10: A
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