What Not To Wear To The Inauguration
What to wear to the momentous inauguration of our 44th president? Sure, it's one of the most historic days in the chronicle of our great nation and a sizable slice of our country is more excited about this than they were about their own weddings, but no pressure at all! On January 20th, all eyes will be on fashionably-challenged Washington, and this time they won't be crying over four more years of string ties and Stetsons.
If you are completely unhinged like myself, and have decided that this groundbreaking swearing-in ceremony cannot happen without your presence, then get ready to look uglier than you ever have before. The weather will most likely be cold enough for us to channel Brian Boitano and ice skate our way to the national mall, and the population of our capital city will be six times what it should be, making it possible for you to relive your days sweating in a mosh pit to the relaxing sounds of Megadeth.
So what does one wear to be sandwiched between total strangers for hours while craning your neck to see a Jumbotron in sub-zero weather? Clothing you never want to see again. Don't mind if a reveler accidentally flambés your parka? Then by all means wear it. And then throw another one on top for good measure. Spent your entire month's salary on stilettos so fabulous you had them sewn to your feet? It's time to cut them off and wear the sensible shoes favored by nuns and your Aunt Mildred.
The official government-run inaugural website does not give fashion tips, but they do remind Obama groupies to leave the family poodle at home. They also forbid you from bringing your lucky laser pointer or a stroller. Might be time for baby Benji to start his liquid diet. The website also points out that our nation may have trouble sharing an ideology, but we sure are ready to share the same bathroom. Haven't wet your pants since the first grade? Well, get ready to relive that experience on this historic day! With the one port-a-potty per zillion people, it might be wise not to drink any liquid, unless you're okay with having your posterior on YouTube.
As evening sets in and you're ready to cha-cha for change, there are a few things to keep in mind so as not to scare us Washingtonians. If your planned outfit is considered fashion-forward in New York City, think again. High fashion in Washington means wearing an earth tone. If your togs are considered cutting edge in your hometown of Duluth, then by all means, strap them right on. That said, many are suggesting that women wear a flat shoe to dance in a new era. To this I say, let them eat cake. We may be fashionably-challenged, but I don't support a flat tax and I don't support a flat shoe for evening.
The next rule of thumb is to wear fur with caution. You could be attacked because the sozzled crowd thinks you're Sarah Palin trying to be "just folks."
As for your actual gown, it's nice to take a cue from inaugurations past (see a slideshow), but choose your inaugural role model wisely. Lady Bird Johnson wore a yellow silk gown by John Moore and had the fashion world wondering why oh why did she settle on a dress the color of a ripe banana.
(Courtesy of the LBJ Library)
Barbara Bush wore her signature pearls and a royal blue square-neck gown by Arnold Scaasi, who dressed first ladies from Mamie Eisenhower to Laura Bush. If you are patriotism incarnate, then Barbara's your gal.
You may choose to channel the hard economic times by donning frugal duds like the penny-pinching Carters did. President Carter was sworn-in wearing a $175 suit. His wife Rosalynn, lucky gal, got to stand by her man in an off-the-rack Mary Matise for Jimmae dress she had previously worn to her husband's gubernatorial festivities. If anyone makes fun of your well-worn wears just call it "Carter Chic" and be on your way.
Rosalynn Carter watches her husband take the oath of office
The Carters walk in the inaugural parade
*See a slideshow of former first ladies' inaugural day wear*
As we saw at the Golden Globes, one-shoulder gowns are so in vogue that the women of America should all start doing one armed push-ups. Nancy Reagan was a zealous fan of the cold shoulder gown and wore one to her husband's first inauguration. It's fine to do the Nancy and bare just one shoulder, just try to do it with a smaller price tag. Nancy's inaugural wardrobe was estimated at $46,000.
(Courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Library)
As for the men folk, yes, your black-tie lives are astoundingly simple. Throw on a tux and the world's your oyster. But remember, this is a town where Nancy Pelosi is considered to have the same fashion clout as Anna Wintour. Please don't unnerve us by being a maverick and reaching for the white, jewel-toned, or denim tuxedo. The sharp shooters may be tempted to take you out, as clearly you serve a health risk to the new president.
Whatever you wear, remember, it's been a long eight years, it's time to say goodbye to cowboy boots and hello to Chicago-designed suits. The future is finally here.
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What I can't understand about Obama on this is how much we, the taxpayers, are going to end up spending next week. The economy is a wreck and we are fighting two wars. How can this expense be justified? It appears that the events next week will cost taxpayers more than Bush's bash back in 2005 and that was outrageous then. I think Obama has made a poor choice on this one.
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Gosh, can you imagine the shape your economy will be in now If some of you Americans were this vocal about the BILLIONS being spent on an unjust war and the welfare checks being sent to Israel each month?
Oh, I think you forgot the checks sent to Eygpt each month as well that we promised under the Camp David Accords. Let's at least be fair. No disagreement about Iraq.
It's an event that cannot be turned away. It is a tradition when changing new presidents. Do you really think that such a historical event would just go away unnoticed because of money? The first African American President? What is wrong with you? He raised more money than any candidate in history. He beat out seasoned political veteran that came up against him. Every country in the world is rejoicing at his election because America has finally proven itself to be the real melting pot. Millions upon millions of people from all over the world and from every age group and walk of life will be coming to Washington DC to see this historic event. He destroyed McCain during the campaign and made himself an internet icon to become the most powerful leader in the Free World! What is wrong with you?
I have no problem with having the events next week, however I do think private donations should be raised to pay for the party. Not the taxpayer paying the bill again. It is this type of over spending that is one of the many problems in the Washington culture and with politicians in general.
"The economy is a wreck and we are fighting two wars." Are these Obama's fault? The inauguration cost is only a fraction of the Iraq war's per day cost.
Who said Obama had anything to do with the problems we are currently facing? These are the results of the Bush Administration.
Using your logic, why can't a congressman or senator get a little pork barrel spending for their districts? It is only a fraction of what the government is spending anyway. See, it is this type of thinking that is causing our problems.
If one is lucky enough to obtain tickets to the actual ceremony on the White House lawn, what should they wear? Do the same rules apply, or would I look dreadfully tacky and out of place in jeans? Khakis? Black dress pants?
In times of ambiguity, I usually choose to overdress, but the weather is a factor here.
WH lawn will be just as cold, but not as crowded since you have a ticket. I'd suggest wearing business casual clothes with long underwear underneath. Can't go wrong with a Steve Madden type casual shoe, or a nice leather loafer. . . Nice pea coat, gap scarf . . . Oh what about those "under armor" sets that athelets wear! You can find them at Models or Sports Authority, and you can wear them under anything to be very warm . . .
I would also love to be at the iauguration but I'm on the wrong side of the Atlantic and too poor to take a flight this time...
2013 will be a nice year for a visit, until then: Enjoy folks!
Finally a President to be proud of.
A man making Peace, not War.
I'm going to the inauguration, and I'm packing like I'm climbing Everest. No - like I'm climbing Everest with 2 million of my closest friends.
Same here! I will feel a little naked though, because I will have all my snowboard gear on, minus the boots and the board!!! That reminds me, add hand warmers to the shopping list!
Nothing against cowboys, but the presidential seal does not belong on footwear. As I recall, both Bushes wore those tacky boots with the seal. So I guess it's fitting that the second George Bush ends his last term with a barrage of flying footwear.
Now it does. I hear that they are planning to put it on the sole of the new release of the Ducati Model 271, along with a date spanning a specific presidency.
OMG you guys are funny, lamenting the cold weather. Up here in Ottawa (Canada), it's -38.2 Fahrenheit today (about the same in Celsius). When President Obama comes to visit, we won't give a damn about the cold - we plan to line the streets to welcome him.
For you inauguration party-goers, here are some tips on cold weather partying without looking dorky:
1) Wear a coat with a wind-proof outer shell or lining. For sub-zero temperatures, down-filled coats rule, but for you, a fashion coat would be fine.
2) For clothing, wear multiple thin layers (more attractive than one bulky layer).
3) Your shoes or boots should have thermal insoles, or you can wear one pair of thin cotton or dress socks, topped with a pair of merino wool socks (making it possible to strip down to a fashionable layer underneath, in case you get asked into a fancy party).
4) If it's cold, don't wear gloves: wear mittens. Otherwise, prepare to put up with cold hands.
5) Wear a toque (Oh, sorry. To most of you, that's a knitted or fleece winter cap or hat. Man, your language is so inefficient when it comes to winter).
6) If this fails and you're still cold, just dance. After all, you finally have a reason to really celebrate.
LOL! Thanks for the tips, neighbor.
We'll be dancing next Tuesday like never before. : )
You forgot the flannel.
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Now THAT was funny! Thanks for sharing
And bring the Sunday paper to stand on.. the extra insulation really helps.... even with warm boots.
... and a beer, in a tree.
Thanks, for the tips! I'm also going to say, don't forget that you can put on your "inside sweater" if you have a few shots or beers during the day! But yes, lots of dancing will help, I have a feeling the dancing will be contagious!
For everyone gearing up for the inauguration, take a look a this:
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Sorry rap is lame. I like real music.
I liked the music and the message. MalcolnX was definitely ten times more handsome than Obama.
More handsome??? Who cares about that???
I agree that Malcolm X was more handsome than Obama.
Malcolm X was fine! But how is that relevent?
LOL I guess u are talking about Denzel Washington impersonating Malcolm X in Spike Lee's movie...
Wow. Love the music - really love the message. And I'm not a really big fan of that genre of music, normally.
Yup. When my husband wore his Utilikilt in D.C., we were astonished by how rude and closed-minded so many people were. His kilt has been more warmly received in our rinky-dink Ohio town that went 70% for McCain. I hope he wears his kilt to the inaugural because it's got big pockets and can hold quite a lot of crap - that is, it can hold quite a lot of MY crap.
Make sure he wears some thermal boxers. It's not the good old summertime in DC.
If he's got the guts to wear a utilikilt in public, more power to him. My nephew is a piper and he looks really good in his kilt.
Yeah? There's a reason the English referred to highland Scots as redlegs in those kilts.
Go for it! Kilts rock!
In subzero weather? Sounds like long-term birth control!
I think kilts are sexy. When I get married all my groomsmen will be in kilts. I do not know how I will explain it but it will be my wedding. I guess the other way would be to marry a Scotsman.
Yeah throw in two pairs of thermal underwear under that kilt!
LOL @ the last sentence.
To the Ball or the parade/outdoor activities? He'll be fine wearing it to the Ball, but I'm positive he'll get lots of rude remarks wearing it outside amoungst zillions of people with varying perspectives. And you'll find a pic and or clip of him on You Tube from some teenager.
IMO, save the kilt for the formal event. . .
Oh Darn!
I just received my e-mail invitation to the "Black Tie & Boots" Inaugural Event hosted by Texas Democrats.
There will be "cowboy" boots in Washington for the inauguration.
The HUGE difference this year is that they will be worn by Texas Democrats.
You can take the cowboy out of Texas, but you can't take the "Texas" out of the cowboy. Even the Democratic cowboys.
Get over it. In Texas, and everywhere else, we wear boots.
Since Texas Democrats gave us the likes of Molly Ivins, John Henry Faulk and Ann Richards I think we can deal with the boots.
I whole heartedly agree. Great point.
Yeah, but even LBJ, who was kind of a crude dude in some ways, had the respect not to put the Presidential Seal on his boots.
Bush is a clod.
yeah, and some Texans are so lacking in confidence they have 3 inch heels on their boots.
It's not going to be sub-zero. Area forecasts are saying it will be nearly 40 degrees.
We are coming from Florida and anything below 65 degrees IS sub-zero.
We are really concerned if we are going to be able to handle this cold. We are banking on our excitement to keep us warm :)
65 cold...hah
It's been 55 degrees in Mississippi this week and I am dying, literally freezing to death. I am going to D.C. next week - I don't know how to dress for that kind of weather! If it was 105 degrees, I'd be fine.
It's the windchill that kills ya, layers people, layers!
It's an awful shame that a bad president was the one who brought cowboy to the capitol. I'm from a part of the country where ribbon ties, cowboy boots and Wyatt Earp coats look mighty good to us. If Obama had been the cowboy that had brought it to the country, we'd like it, but Dubya kind of ruined it. Too bad. There's a lot to be said for cowboys!
Unfortunately, he was not only a BAD president; but also a failed cowboy. He went to "elitist" schools in the northeast his whole life. He was never really a Texan, and Crawford was a photo-op. Vincente Fox even said he was no cowboy and VF's grandfather immigrated from Cleveland to Mexico on horseback. The Pretender-and-chief is a northeast "elitist".
I agree 100%
I love cowboy gear but it is bad when people wear it to try to prove they are tough. It just looks stupid. I have my cowboy boots on right now right here in NY but then again I own a horse.
He was a FAKE cowboy. Old East Coast money playing cowboy down in Texas. You might as well put a bikini on a polar bear and say it's native to Florida.
Tim McGraw is my favorite cowboy, and he's a Democrat. So is Garth Brooks. Both sexy cowboys. Yum.
Loved this article...
but I take offense to the "not wear fur advice'. I understand that people don't like other people wearing animal skins... but w/ the quality of many faux furs today... how does one determine the difference?? What other choice does a woman have in below freezing weather??
Parkas and evening gowns?? Ewwwww !
I'd wear a full-length down coat if I were standing outdoors all day in the cold. You don't wear a coat indoors.
Frostbite ain't attractive.
Um... there are other warm coats that aren't former animal skins. But regardless, your fur will probably get dirty in a crowd that big, so choose wisely.
Down with COWBOY BOOTS and BOLO TIES up with CHE and OBAMA shirts LOL :)
His foot is in motion, but going the wrong way.
I know where I'd love to put those boots Bush has on. His foot is in motion but going the wrong way.
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