Hats off to Laura Bush.
The First Lady smartly blew off the tradition of wearing headgear for yesterday’s swearing-in ceremony.
She also resisted the temptation to wear patriotic blue.
Instead, a dazzling Mrs. Bush shed her frumpy image and walked Washington’s power-red carpet in a show-stopping winter white cashmere coat that was subtly trimmed with shimmering blue embroidery.
Mrs. Bush’s extreme style makeover was elegant, age-appropriate and unabashedly glamorous.
It was also an unconventional and confident choice for a woman whose fashion sense has frequently been disparaged as being too folksy – and worse.
The creation of Seventh Avenue king-pin, Oscar de la Renta, Mrs. Bush’s crisply tailored coat – worn over a matching boucle dress – made a dramatic yet graceful impression amid the sea of dark suits and somber military uniforms.
It also managed the hitherto unthinkable: upstaging the chic couture choices of the fashion-addicted first twins, Jenna (who also wore de la Renta) and Barbara (who wore designer Derek Lam.)
In step with the fashion world’s current affection for pedigreed ladylike clothes, the chic restraint of Mrs. Bush’s ensemble was a far cry from the dowdy, electric-blue suit she wore the first time around.
Perhaps President Bush isn’t the only member of the family determined to make a fresh start.
Oscar de la Renta – who also designed the ice-blue/silver tulle gown and matching duchess-satin coat Mrs. Bush wore to last night’s inaugural ball – has long been known as a staple with the ladies-who-lunch stable.
In recent years, his appeal has spread among the younger, hipper red-carpet set and his coterie of clients now includes trend-setters like Sarah Jessica Parker and small-screen siren Eva Longoria, who wore Oscar to Sunday night’s Golden Globes.
Mr. de la Renta’s history dressing Washington ladies goes back to Nancy Reagan. Ironically, he was also a firm favorite of former First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, whose critically acclaimed 1997 gold inaugural-ball gown he designed.