The Other Red Carpet: The Obamas Host First Formal Dinner At White House, Fashion Trends Overlap With Oscars (PHOTOS)

*Scroll down for slideshow*

The Oscars weren't the only major black-tie event to take place on Sunday night. Across the country, the President and First Lady hosted their first formal dinner in Washington, inviting the nation's governors, in town for the National Governors Association meeting, and their spouses to the White House. The menu, according to AP, was designed to reflect the season and represent the American spirit. It included red dragon carrots from Ohio, beef from Nebraska, watermelon radishes grown in the Washington area, and sea scallops from Massachusetts. The dessert featured huckleberries from Idaho. Alaska Governor Sarah Palin was not in attendance.

Curiously, there was a lot of overlap with the trends on the Oscars' red carpet; one-strap gowns and white or fleshy tones were as ubiquitous in Washington as they were in Los Angeles. Among the White House's best-dressed were First Lady Michelle Obama (wearing a gown by Chicago native Peter Soronen), Social Secretary Desiree Rogers, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter's wife Jeannie, and New York Governor David Patterson's wife Michelle. Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius stunned in emerald green. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner went rogue, opting to swap the traditional black bow-tie for a long silver cravat.

The evening was not without its fashion faux pas: Supriya Jindal, wife of Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal, and Marjorie Rendell, wife of Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell, were wearing similar, if not identical, one-strap red gowns.

(See Oscars best and worst trends.)

*See a slideshow of Michelle Obama in the White House kitchen earlier in the day*

SLIDESHOW:

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Comments

[amerima]

Shallow or Bored! Michelle looks great and her arms are stunning! She works out just like her husband! And the point is...... There have been more postings on this than the new unemployment figures!!! We are in serious trouble and arm cellulite is a critical issue? We are headed to Hades in a handbasket­!!!!!!!!!!

[wanttruth]

My 'Best Dressed' Women List!

1. First Lady Michelle Obama

2. Valerie Jarrett

3. Desiree Rogers

4. Kathleen Sellebus

[wanttruth]

First Lady Michelle looked very elegant and stylish!

[Ravyn]

Very classy and glamourous. Reminds me of how the Reagans brought style and formality and glamour back to the White House for the first time since the Kennedys. But the Obamas add to that a more youthful exuberence and vitality to it as well as fun. And yes, formal functions and hosting diplomats, governors and mayors, other political figures both domestic and international is part of being president. The Bushies would have done it, too, if not for running the risk of Georgie falling off the wagon since he couldn't hold his liquor. This is totally appropriate for the Obama to play host and can serve to win more allies from political adversaries both here and abroad. Wish I could get an invite to one of these -- love the idea of a lottery through out there by the social secretary so that everyday folk could get to come to some of these.

[nubret2008]

Why didn't Piyush 'Bobby' Jindal's take on a fancy english name?

[SupportYourOwnKids]

wow, people are being hit financially loosing their homes and jobs. We listen to him speak on the crisis and how its going to be difficult, yet they are throwing lavish parties on our $$$...whats wrong with this picture???

[Riani]

These functions serve a purpose. Think about it. If it was for fun, the guestlist would have looked a lot different. Think about what exactly the role of the president is, including his symbolic role.

[Ronda Osburn]

Your comments made me almost laugh out loud. The "Letters to the Editor" today in the Idaho Statesman are ALL about a story that the paper ran after this dinner. They called out Idaho First Lady Lori Otter for wearing her gorgeous black gown at an event in Boise, Idaho this past November and also to this governors dinner. They even seemed to make fun of the fact that she saved $200 by purchasing the dress 'on sale'! None of the letters today had anything but praise for Lori and boos for The Statesman. I wouldn't mind seeing her in the dress several more times. As stated by SupportYouOwnKids, with many of us facing hard financial times, I commend Lori Otter for being 'thrifty'.

[breathestolive]

For the most part, all the women are trim, with a couple of exceptions. That is good to see.

[sarahwaters]

Timothy Geithner and Valerie Jarrett were the best dressed!
They both hit it out of the park (can't say women of color all have big hips, she doesn't).

[Dawkins]

Geitner couldn't even bother to wear a black bow tie. He looked like a game show host at the day-time Emmy Awards trying to look "Hollywood"

A total disaster. Notch lapel. Four in hand silver tie(stick out below his waist) and flapped pockets .

[Vermontah]

You know BO also has this terrible habit of letting his tie flap out below his suit jacket.

[DCinFrance]

I get the feeling that Michelle does not like Arnold--take a look at her in the two pictures with him.

[sarahwaters]

I agree

[devans00]

I love the yellow dress won by Colorado Governor Bill Ritter's wife Jeannie Ritter. Many impressive dresses but that one caught my eye.

[trudyjh]

Me too. Very unusual.

[TchoupitoulasCanal]

I think Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius looked absolutely stunning. She is a beautiful woman and is just a natural beauty.

[S1m0n]

Charlie Crist doesn't look any straighter with a beard...err, wife, beside him than he did without one.

[Davonne Rushing]

Mrs. Schwarzenegger looks creepy.

[Applecheeks]

If by creepy you mean lovey, I agree. And I am no fan of Ahnold.

[camanokat]

I agree...as she gets older she has this skeletor look about her.

[tralfas]

Should they really be spending taxpayer dollars like this? Seriously, shouldn't they wait a bit before the economy turns around or the decline at least slows down? Do as I say, not as I do?

[Applecheeks]

What are your feelings on the spending on Iraq?

[tralfas]

So if I am for spending on war, it is ok to throw a party? Nice.

[sfm123]

Why is Michelle Obama always wearing sleeveless dresses in the middle of winter....I know you have nice arms, but seriously, enough already!

[Applecheeks]

Have you heard of a new invention called a coat? Should she have worn thermals underneath her dress? It's her signature, get over it.

[ullyses]

I don't think the event was held outside.