The First Lady has been flying under the Hot Mama Daily fashion radar.  But lately I’ve noticed that Mrs. Obama has been flaunting a lot of fashionable belts during recent public appearances. Not only does she like to buckle up; the trendsetter fancies wearing wide leather belts high above her waist line.
I give Michelle props for daring to be different.  But I’m not a fan of wearing a belt just for show over an overcoat.  It’s impractical.  And the belt’s positioning under her breast bone looks downright uncomfortable.  However, I give her kudos on the coat’s teal color and the …read more

I know I’m late to the fashion critique party on this one, but it’s partially because I can’t believe this non-story became such a big deal.  Michelle Obama wore shorts while visiting the Grand Canyon with her daughters in one hundred degree heat (see photos).  Shocking!  The First Lady dared to bare her legs and thighs while de-boarding Air Force One.  Blasphemous!  
 
 
Really, everyone needs to get a grip.  As one pop culture commentator aptly put it, “She wasn’t wearing Daisy Dukes; she was wearing Mom shorts!”  I think Michelle is a great role model for all modern women.  She’s …read more

Contests and giveaways are a lot of fun aren’t they?  I enjoy hosting them almost as much as I enjoy winning them.  Hot Mama Daily’s latest giveaway was for a gift pack of Soft & Beautiful StyleProtect products including:

Soft & Beautiful StyleProtect Spritz 
Soft & Beautiful StyleProtect Hair Gloss
Soft & Beautiful StyleProtect Sculpting Gel
Soft & Beautiful StyleProtect Nighttime Dry Wrap Mousse 

For a chance to win, I asked Hot Mama Daily readers to tell me the woman of color they think has the healthiest, most stylish, and overall best hair?  Drum roll please. And the winner is: Tracey Byram, 49, of  Birmingham, AL.
 
 
Tracey, …read more

Rihanna and Halle Berry have helped to popularize shorter hair styles among African-American women. Now Michelle Obama has hopped on the short cut bandwagon….sort of. At first glance, I thought the First Lady took a bold step and cut her hair.  But after a Google search, I quickly learned that Michelle achieved her “faux bob” using bobby pins.
 
 
I like the way the shorter style frames and softens her face, however, if Ms. Obama really decides to go for a trim, I’d recommend a blunter cut.  
But if you like the look, you too can achieve it at home using Soft & Beautiful …read more

President Obama isn’t the only Pennsylvania Avenue resident being judged on his first 100 days in office.  The American public has also been keeping tabs on Michelle Obama’s first three months of White House style.  
Compiled by the editors of Fashion Week Daily, Michelle Obama: 100 Days of Style, is a must-have collectible issue for fans of the First Lady and fashionistas fond of her classic American style.
 

The 116-page book is full of photos that hallmark Mrs. Obama’s fashion highlights — from the Jason Wu gown she wore to the Inaugural Ball to the enviable outfits she wore during her tour of Europe.
100 …read more

Yesterday I posted examples of how to copy Michelle Obama’s sophisticated style.  Here I break down another one of the First Lady’s memorable outfits — a sparkly champagne cardigan, pearls, a daring mint-green pencil skirt, and snakeskin kitten heels.
On paper it sounds like an odd combination of patterns and textures, but somehow the mix-and-match outfit works.  Here’s how to achieve this bold look for less:
 
 
This sleek “Dazzling Dots” pencil skirt by J. Crew is the exact skirt the First Lady wore to breakfast with the British Prime Minister and his wife.  I love that her style is so affordable and accessible. 
The glittery cardigan, …read more

By now we’ve all heard the fashion critiques of Michelle Obama’s wardrobe selection for the G-20 summit in Europe.  I thought her style was crisp, classic American and effortlessly elegant.  
 
Here are pieces to help you craft your  First Lady look for less:

 
This timeless black and white “Tristan” ensemble by Ralph Lauren and Isaac Mizrahi’s “Classic Party Dress” for Target are reminiscent of the Isabel Toledo top and skirt Mrs. Obama wore in London.
 
A double-strand pearl necklace was Mrs. Obama’s staple accessory in Europe. Get a similar style for less from My Wedding Jewelry for only $58!
 
I can’t and don’t wear …read more

Vogue is on a roll.  Michelle Obama sat pretty on the March 2009 cover, and now Beyonce graces the April 2009 cover.  There is, however, a caveat.  Michelle O is of course  the most stylish First Lady since Jackie O, so how could Vogue deny her. And Beyonce, well, she’s the cover girl for the fashion authority’s “Shape Issue.”  
So does that mean in order for a black woman to be on the cover of Vogue she has to either be the closest thing America has to royalty or in a “superstar curvy girl” category?
Don’t get me wrong.  I’m thrilled that Vogue …read more

We look to our Hollywood she-roes and public figures for wardrobe inspiration, however, certain popular women of color command our attention more than others with their undeniable flair for fashion.
That’s why Rihanna, Michelle Obama, Eva Mendes, Penelope Cruz, and Halle Berry are Hot Mama Daily’s picks for the “5 Most Stylish Women of Color.“
Rihanna may be going through a rough patch in her personal life, but being hailed Hot Mama Daily’s “Most Stylish” should help to lift her spirits. The pop singer’s style is young, hip, and cutting edge.
Michelle Obama is hands-down the best dressed First Lady since Jackie O. Her …read more

I’m taking a break from Fashion Week today to recuperate from all the running around I did yesterday and to celebrate Valentine’s Day.  Yet, the latest fashion trends aren’t far from my thoughts.  
Although I couldn’t score an invitation to Jason Wu’s Fall 2009 presentation (the designer is hot stuff since Michelle Obama wore his gown to the inaugural ball), I thought I’d share a photo of one of his collection’s adorable cocktail dresses.  In a sea of gray and other muted colors, this strapless stunner with a pink and black bodice and red bottom half with pockets stands out. …read more