UPDATE: Little fashions hit big

Surprisingly, the big “fashion” winner on Inauguration  Day turned out to be J. Crew. The website crashed on inauguration day, after Malia and Sasha Obama were televised sporting J. Crew “crewcuts” children’s coats and velvet ribbon belts. The company’s home page figures a sketch of the design and a headline touting “First Fashions.”

For Michelle Obama’s day dress, Cuban-born American fashion designer Isabel Toledo designed a gold brocade shift dress and matching overcoat. She accessorized with olive green leather gloves from J. Crew .

Her evening gown was a custom-designed one-shoulder, floor-length white chiffon gown, designed by Jason Wu, New York-based fashion designer that also dressed her for her November 2008 appearance on Barbara Walters Special. This dress was an excellent choice—stunning and dignified for the occasion. It flattered her best features and looks truly remarkable in photographs from the various inaugural balls. We suspect these photos will become iconic representations of this landmark occasion.