NEW DELHI: US First Lady Michelle Obama , who has a reputation of being a fashionista, kept her sartorial choice for her India visit trendy but understated though some designers felt she should have opted for a saree at some events. All eyes were on the wife of visiting US President Barack Obama for a peek on the choice of her ensemble as she landed in Mumbai on Saturday. She opted for a a chic grey knee-length tunic dress with pearl buttons that resembled an Indian kurti.
Fashion designers noted today that the outfits Michelle wore in Mumbai were sombre and toned down and that she opted for simple colours.
46-year-old Michelle's clothes, which is used by her to make a statement hower subtle--both personal and political--, have often led to a comparison with Jackie Kennedy and Lady Diana.
After her arrival, she switched to a high-waist chequered skirt teamed with a green top during her visit to the Mumbai University where she and President Obama interacted with students.
However, when she landed in Delhi, Michelle picked a more colourful turquoise dress with her hair swept in an updo. She also decided to go a bit jazzy during the dinner later in the evening hosted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with a black tunic with golden emroidery for the dinner, which was attended by noted personalities from different fields.
Indian fashion designers believe that by opting for simple colours and designs Michelle is trying not to attract too much attention to herself and keep her visit understated as far as fashion is concerned.
"She's definitely more covered up," says designer Poonam Bhagat referring to the First Lady's trademark off shoulder dresses. "She is very gracious as a person and she is able to carry off waist high dresses with style that is narrow on the top," she said.
"However, I didn't like the printed skirt with the blue top it didn't complement her and gave her a girl next door look. Otherwise most of the time she has been dressed appropriately," added the Delhi designer.
Michelle usually is seen favouring sheath dresses with silhouette's body-skimming cut that flatters both her height and her curves.
While some designers like Ritu Kumar expected the First Lady to wear some India inspired clothes like the sari others say she might have dificult in carrrying it off. "I think she has the statuesque frame to carry off the sari or a draped garment like a sari-inspired gown,"
"I would have loved to see her in something traditional like a sari or an Indian embroiudered dress" adds Kumar.
"With her tall athletic frame with good height and skin tone, she carry off colours like yellows and red similar to what Indians wear. She has the body for a saree," says Bhagat.
