State Dinner Style Advice: Go For Colors And Not Too Much Skin (VIDEO)

With the State Dinner quickly approaching, it's time for Washingtonistas to choose their White House-worthy wardrobes. Politico talked to Inga Guen, owner of DC's couture resale boutique Once is Not Enough, about the event that she compared to "the red carpet at the Oscars." Guen explained, "This is the very first time our First Lady has been put in charge of something: an enormous party and she has to keep in consideration that it's an entirely different culture that she has invited. She has to think about what kinds of colors are appropriate, what kind of food is appropriate."

Guen noted that Indian culture embraces colors, so attendees should dress in reds and purples, and stay away from white and black. She also warned against showing too much flesh, saying she thinks Michelle Obama will be a little more covered up for the first time.

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Comments

[j-tho]

08:48 PM on 11/24/2009

it's a shame the first lady did not heed the caution about "showing too much skin" ~
she looks beautiful ~ but is too uncovered for the guests' customs

[ss193]

10:30 PM on 11/23/2009

Times may have changed, but showing respect for your guests and their culture, is always in style.
I would not serve pork chopes to my conservative Jewish friends, for example. But there are plenty of other choices. I am sure the Fl will be appropriate, she really has no reason not to be.

[wish4change]

12:30 PM on 11/22/2009

Before you young chicks criticize this Washington insider, wait to see who is correct in the proper attire for Tuesday night's affair - you, or one who knows proper etiquette and fashion. The first lady is no longer in hixville.

[nana4g]

07:34 PM on 11/22/2009

The First Lady has never been in "hixville". She was born and raised and lived in Chicago all her life. The office of Protocol will advise her, to be sure, and not the lady who owns a clothing resale shop.

[nana4g]

11:42 AM on 11/22/2009

This is certainly NOT the first time "the First Lady has been put in charge of something" and the First Lady does not need to be admonished NOT to "show skin" and "to cover up".

This old hag has been put in charge of nothing but a clothing resale shop.

Nonsense. Tell her to go back to Harvard or Yale and get a Law Degree, then, to work in high powered law offices, administering community programs for a huge medical center in a huge urban center, raise little children while she does all that, essentially by herself, and function in the public arena with everyone taking pot shots at everything she does, threats of physical harm, name calling to her husband, and smile all the while.

The First Lady has a huge army of experienced and knowledgeable staff to assist with protocol. She doesn't need this saleslady's advise.

[LolaP]

10:51 AM on 11/23/2009

aaw but she seems like a sweet lady.. it's the style section, lighten up

[Belley]

10:17 AM on 11/22/2009

Inga is so old-school Washington. No one under 70 should take her advice.

[LolaP]

10:52 AM on 11/23/2009

lol

[SoccerNana]

05:29 PM on 11/21/2009

"She also warned against showing too much flesh, saying she thinks Michelle Obama will be a little more covered up for the first time."

Your time has passed.

[Niasia]

08:19 AM on 11/22/2009

I thought the same thing!!

[ss193]

11:43 PM on 11/23/2009

Some things are timeless, like respecting your guests. I am sure Ms. Obama will show the greatest respect to her guests. It goes with the territory.

[rbryanh]

12:42 AM on 11/21/2009

Is "style" synonymous with "trivia?"

[naschkatze]

12:38 PM on 11/20/2009

Nice work if you can get it.