I don't want to contribute to the media frenzy surrounding Tareq and Michaele Salahi, Official White House Party Crashers, but in this day and digital age, I'm leaving no stone thrown at the Obamas unturned. Everyone is wondering: How did the Salahis get in? How could the secret service have been so careless with the guest list? How close did the couple get to the president? However, as an intrepid style writer and Washingtonistaholic, I am wondering: What was Michaele Salahi wearing?
I somewhat understand the thought behind Michaele's ensemble: It's a State Dinner for India, so I'll wear a sari to blend in. Kind of like wearing camouflage to go hunting, or sticking oneself into seven-inch-tall stilettos and a tube top to get down at the club. Well, Michaele may have made it past security with the "When In Mumbai..." mentality, but, sari, I mean, sorry--she definitely didn't make it past me. I remember watching the arrivals, the stream of black and navy gowns punctuated with an occasional burst of color, and then noticing a grinning blond women wrapped in red-and-gold quickly shuffle by with some guy in a bow tie. I immediately called one of my friends to ask if she had seen that bad fashion decision in action! She responded, "Don't you have anything better to do, Hilary?," but I'm maintaining that that was Michaele's worst decision of the night, even taking into account the whole security breach thing.
Aside from the garment's too-bold color palette, her strangely mismatched make-up and her flat-ironed hair, Michaele apparently didn't get the style memo that Tuesday night wasn't the time nor the place to debut your first sari. Michelle Obama nodded to India by selecting an Indian-American designer. DC's First Lady Michelle Fenty looked stunning in a vibrant blue dress, embodying India's love of color. Nancy Pelosi chose a dark color, but spiced it up with sequins and beading. These, my friend Michaele, are tasteful ways to show up to an elegant, international event, much less one you may or may not have been invited to.
Anyway, if and when Michaele testifies at the House Homeland Security Committee's panel, I hope she doesn't show up with a face veil and lace gloves or pull any "Mistuh President"-type schtick. I also heard the Salahis are attempting to pitch their party-crashing story to several major networks. I just hope that includes a few makeover shows.
Follow Hilary Moss on Twitter: www.twitter.com/hilsays
Clarence B. Jones: White House Security?
Jose Antonio Vargas: Salahis' Self-Marketing 2.0 (PHOTOS)
Michael Russnow: The Frenzy About White House Gatecrashers: Did the Media Overreact?
Bob Franken: Social Climbing the White House Gates
She is wearing a laanga, which includes 3 matching pieces: a skirt, blouse, and large scarf. That said, she should have bothered to wear the scarf properly, and chosen a less obvious color if she was going to show her midriff.
Also, laangas are usually worn by girls and very young women. Indian women of her age would laugh at the notion of wearing a laanga, it's just weird and silly. Too bad she didn't have a more experienced person prep her (or her hubby, who is wearing navy blue pants with a black jacket).
Can anyone tell me how to pronounce her name? Michael? Michael-y? Michelle?
Don't even get me started on what her husband is wearing. Yikes!
In the UK, lots of Indian women wear saris a lot of the time. It's an elegant dress.
I totally agree about the sari. Really unimaginative.
I'm surprised you don't have ONE Indian colleague at Huff Po to consult. When I opened this article, I expected you to correctly identify this as a lengha choli with dupatta, but alas, no. You proceed to incorrectly identify this piece of Indian dress as a sari. Next time do a quick little research. A sari is quite different and much more complicated (if pleats aren't pre sewn) to adorn. She actually wore this dress quite well. Lengha choli is a party dress not just meant for a wedding...however the color is a bridal color.
Most women do not know the difference. I actually called a Indian friend of mine who informed me that Sari is an acceptable term for this style of dressing.