Bad Inaugural Fashion (PHOTOS)

The Inauguration was a hit. We got a new president, we heard some great speeches, and we saw fabulous first lady fashions. But wherever there's good, there's always evil. And this year evil disguised himself in bow-tie hats and hooker-boots, but we were able to pick him out of the crowd even though our eyes were watery and are noses were frozen. Can't hide from us! Here's a look at some bad Inaugural fashions that made our tears for joy turn into tears for fears. Shout, shout, let it all out-- these are the things I could do without:

R-E-S-P-E-C-Take that hat off. She sang beautifully and she is, ahem, Aretha, but I don't think I'm alone when I say I was distracted by the bow. Big time.

George H. W. Bush and Barbara Bush wore matching purple scarves. Interesting choice. I wonder if they saw each other for the first time in the limo that morning and rolled their eyes and sighed.

Can I get a what, what? Jay-Z's Russian-inspired hat reminds me of one George Costanza Russian-inspired hat. "This hat just bottles the heat, I don't even need a coat! It's unbelievable, Jerry!"

I found Jill Biden's choice of footwear rather strange. There are chicer ways of keeping your calves warm other than go-go boots. I'm not suggesting leg warmers, but wool tights and cute pumps would've done the trick.

Don King looks like he should be on the 50 yard-line of Buffalo Bills game, not at a Presidential Inauguration. Where does one even get a coat like that?

My oh Miley. Performing at Disney's "Kid Inaugural: We Are the Future" bash, Ms. Cyrus looked like she borrowed her mom's dress and her grandma's hair-do. I appreciate that she tried to look sophisticated for the occasion, but a more age-appropriate outfit would've been better.

Read more:

All Of Michelle Obama's Inauguration Outfits: From Saturday To Wednesday (Slideshow)

Michelle Obama's Inauguration Day Dress

Inauguration Day Wear: What Everyone Else Was Wearing (Slideshow)

Michelle Obama's Evening Gown (Slideshow)

Jill Biden's Evening Gown

Follow Lindsay Mannering on Twitter: www.twitter.com/LindsayVirginia

Comments

[savage07]

Re: Aretha's Hat....thi­s is the worst-looking hat I ever saw...when you buy a hat like this I bet you get a free bowl of soup, huh?

[Roseberry]

Strapless dresses are not appropriate on ladies below age 21-ish, OR on us gals over 40 or so. Goes both ways! And it explains why the single-strap number Michelle wore at festivities was so wonderful (and Jill's strapless not quite so).

[meetoo]

says who?

[femmyror]

Aretha is adorable, as is her hat.

[SparkyDash]

Aretha was bold and beautiful.­..I loved her hat the first I saw it. Dr. Jill Biden looked positively wonderful and truly happy.

[gracie99]

You're mocking all the best attire at the event!

An historic, celebratory event on such a massive scale is not a place for timid, ordinary attire. Most of the articles of clothing you mention are appropriately special and have an exuberant quality.

I especially loved how Aretha Franklin combined the most sedate shades of gray wool with just one amusing, over-the top touch, that perfect hat!

On the other hand, Michelle Obama's outfits were frumpy. In particular, her cream-colored ball gown made me wince: In most pictures it looked like it was sewn from chunks of very cheap chenille bedspread! The chunky shoulder strap looked klutzy and crude, and the pound-adding horizontal shirring at the waist is anorexics-only.

[Jenjohnson]

The hat, I thought of so many things as I looked at that hat on aretha that morning. She looked so grand. I couldn't help but think of women who have wore hats like that on Sunday mornings, going to church,praying and hoping for a better day tomorrow.

[OnTheCusp]

My thoughts exactly! Like wearing a unique mustache, you've got to know who you are and OWN it to wear a hat like that, and Ms. Franklin certainly does have the presence to pull it off flawlessly.
Loved it!

[aes5678]

Jill biden looked hot and Aretha is fashion Teflon!

[Trittydi]

Those are NOT go-go boots. Jill Biden looked great - the boots were very tasteful and looked wonderful. However - the coat was not long enough - and that would have properly set off the boots as well.
*

[Chickasaw962]

all the clothing was conservative, and evening appropriate, I love the Hats going to church in a evangelical Southern Baptist church easter sunday! Aretha's gray hat is perfect but not as perfect as her voice! I love at day at the horse races! I like the hats women make for themselves most, the inagural ball and its designers were a treat, the detal in Michelle Obama's dress needed to be experienced in person to appreciate its detail. for sure, no designer needed to hide Michelle's perfect figure though. But it was a pg-13 special historical event that called for dignity and conservatism. I can't wait to see more events and fashions appropriate to the occasions soon.

[Trittydi]

Aretha Franklin is a performer. As such - she is entitled to a bit of license in her "on-stage" attire.

The hat was wonderful -- leave it alone.
*

[onwatch]

right on!

[dahpunkster]

I DIG Aretha's hat!

[dahpunkster]

Ok , Once for all I have to say, Please stop dissing Aretha's Hat! I totally dig the big bow okay!

[dems08]

Aretha's hat made me smile!!

[Hopalongpoppyseed]

You shouldn't be dissing Aretha.

[GuarneriGal]

The bow made the hat musical, complementing Aretha's great music. All in all, that hat was one of the best things about the inaugural.

Next to her music, that is. Visual and vocal WOWs for all of us. Thanks Aretha!

[Yves Papa]

That was such a great hat! Adorable!!!