Classic and Elegant

3. Classic and Elegant

Elegant here means attractive and simple; then classic, as stated in the literature review, it has eternal characteristic, and it reflects elegant in simplicity. The pictures below are the examples of Mrs.O‟s classic and elegant style in

conducting her role as American First Lady:

Pic14. Mrs.O's fashion style for Inaugural Ball

The picture above shows Mrs.O‟s fashion style for her first appearance as the American First Lady; and here she looks elegant in her white dress.

Through her fashion style above, Mrs.O is constructed to be an attractive woman which functions to impress American Society. Her classic dress above offers her first impression of being the recent American First Lady. Thus, she is constructed to be perfect in classic style. As stated in the literature review, white is considered to be the color of perfection; white depicts faith and purity. So it means that her white dress above implies that Mrs.O wants to construct her perfect appearance to convey American Society to keep in trust over her husband leadership. Moreover, white color itself can be perfect color to represent first appearance because it signifies purity which becomes the symbol of something new.

Considering that she is a black woman, and this occasion belongs to an important moment; her white dress above also implies that Mrs.O wants to be attractive in natural way to construct her image. She wants to show American People that she is a simple woman who believes that she could be attractive without should be over in her fashion. However when people actually want to make a declaration about how exactly assured they are in their natural beauty, wear white; Whitened has got the eager ability to showcase your best features, mainly simply because it goes with almost any color or skin tone. (http://www.westpromdresses.com/white-dress-and-elegance-is-that-still-valid-

find-out-here.html accessed on Saturday, May 21, 2011, 12:55 AM). Through her

fashion style above, Mrs.O could prove the public that she could be attractive even just through her natural appearance which is implied by her white dress; as fashion style above, Mrs.O could prove the public that she could be attractive even just through her natural appearance which is implied by her white dress; as

Mrs.O‟s white dress above is good enough to construct her image for her debut as American First Lady. The simplicity of white color implies that she is able to be a figure for American Society in facing American Problem; she knows

how to react global crisis which surges almost country in the world, included America. Her white dress implies that she could be simple in her style without being too glamour to represent the condition of America. Thus, through her style above, Mrs.O wants to inform and convey American society that she is going to

be modest in conducting her role as American First Lady.

Mrs.O could be categorized as a working woman because she takes some roles in the world of politics to help her husband in leading the country. Therefore, she should be able to construct her style to represent her role as a career woman. Nellis (a fashion journalist) pointed out that if people are concerned about their career, they will be more concerned with looking professional

or trendy

(http://fashion.about.com/od/whattowear/a/weartowork.htm accessed on Friday, February 25, 2011, 11.25 PM). Professional itself more tends to be an image rather than style of fashion, it makes people feel powerful, authoritative, creative and successful (Hilliard, 1987, p.66). In constructing her image as a professional (http://fashion.about.com/od/whattowear/a/weartowork.htm accessed on Friday, February 25, 2011, 11.25 PM). Professional itself more tends to be an image rather than style of fashion, it makes people feel powerful, authoritative, creative and successful (Hilliard, 1987, p.66). In constructing her image as a professional

Pic15. Mrs.O‟s fashion style when she spoke to the Environmental

Protection Agency

The Classic and elegant images of Mrs.O can be clearly seen from her wardrobe which combines career traditional colors, blue and gray. The picture above implies that Mrs.O shows her professional style in carrying her responsibilities as American First Lady in formal situation. Her constructed style above is a part of sign which is associated with Chic impression which denotes the classical and elegance of Mrs.O as First Lady. As stated in the literature review that classic‟s wardrobe is a style many women tend to be drawn to because of the simplicity and chic'ness.

revealing and succeeding her programs she planned. Facing the public, she is expected to be able to create a good communication, as what stated in the literature review, all shades of blue will help to make easy communication. So, it is clearly seen that Mrs.O‟s fashion style above could represent it. The use of navy

blue velvet blazer as her top is strong enough to represent that Mrs.O wants to create an easy communication when she spoke in front of American society so that they could catch what the discussion about easily.

Facing the public in the official forum, Mrs.O is constructed being formal through her classic style. In the picture above, her formal outlook can be seen from her outfit which combines grey pants and blue blazer, as what stated in the literature review, the combination of blazer and pants indicates a good choice for formal business attire. Whereas Mrs.O‟s formal outlook is represented by the combination of her outfits, her classic style is represented by the combination of color choice: gray and blue. So, it can clearly be seen that in representing her role as a career woman, Mrs.O is perfectly constructed in formal outlook through her classic style.

Classic style impressed to be boring style, then to reduce the possibility in creating this tendency Mrs.O tries to spice her look up by adding some accessories over her style. It can be seen from the combination of her wisely belted and layered charm necklace, as what stated in the literature review, the additional accessories such as belt and necklace give a professional touch and can turn any boring day at work into a super stylish affair . The same impression of Classic style impressed to be boring style, then to reduce the possibility in creating this tendency Mrs.O tries to spice her look up by adding some accessories over her style. It can be seen from the combination of her wisely belted and layered charm necklace, as what stated in the literature review, the additional accessories such as belt and necklace give a professional touch and can turn any boring day at work into a super stylish affair . The same impression of

Pic16 . Mrs.O‟s fashion style at the Department of Housing and Urban Development

The picture above also illustrates the business attire of Mrs.O which has strong mood of classic and elegant. In this style, Mrs.O is constructed in both classic and feminine. It can be illustrated by her combination of grey skirt suit, a 3/4 sleeve cropped jacket and a purple silk wrap top. Her color choice which combines light grays with purple is strong enough to construct her classic style, as what stated in the literature review, grey belongs to classic color then purple belongs to feminine color with a bit of a maternal feeling. Mrs.O is constructed in classic style because she is a kind of woman who believes that they could become attractive because they have natural attraction. It means that by providing self- confidence over her style, furthermore her attractiveness will occur naturally. Related to her activity which commits the public, Mrs.O is perfectly constructed to be classic in her business attire without being apart from her feminine impression. considering her role as the president‟s spouse, in her style above

Mrs.O is still constructed in feminine way because her warmness always needed

Mrs.O‟s fashion style is usually constructed in simple way as what classic style tends to be. Her classic style over her business clothe can also be strengthened by

the use of skirt; moreover, it would be perfect classic style if it is combined with traditional color, such as gray color. Thus, it can clearly be seen that in conducting her formal responsibilities as American First Lady, Mrs.O is perfectly constructed in simple way as a career woman which tends to be classic and elegant.

Being American First Lady in this period, everything about Mrs.O represents the life of modern women; she is clever, independent, and attractive. Her modern life can be seen from her choice in taking her non-traditional role as a career woman. As the president‟s spouse, Mrs.O takes some roles in the world of

politics by revealing some programs to American society. Since these programs needs her seriousness; therefore Mrs.O should be able to construct her powerful image to represent her role as a professional career woman so that she could convince American society to help her in succeeding the programs. As the comparison in constructing her professional outlook through classic and elegant style, it can be seen from the former White-American First Lady, Hillary Clinton.

Hillary is a successful working woman, she is easily the most politically

active First Lady in American history. In constructing her style, she more often wears fitted pants suits than a suit with a skirt to build her professional outlook (see pic.17). In the work place, intelligence is more important to support the ability in doing the job rather than appearance. Since Hillary is more active in active First Lady in American history. In constructing her style, she more often wears fitted pants suits than a suit with a skirt to build her professional outlook (see pic.17). In the work place, intelligence is more important to support the ability in doing the job rather than appearance. Since Hillary is more active in

To show how Mrs.O constructs her classic and elegant style as the same as Hillary in constructing her professional outlook, it can be seen in the pictures below:

Pic17. Hillary‟s professional style

pic.18 Mrs.O‟s fashion style when visited military families

In this modern era, as a figure of an independent woman who prefers to chooses to balance her traditional role and non-traditional role, Mrs.O tries to prove the public that actually even she concerns in conducting her traditional role as a mother, but she could also achieve her success in conducting her role as a career woman. Therefore, through classic and elegant style Mrs.O tries to build her strong image as a career woman as the same as Hillary who becomes the most politically active First Lady.

In t he picture of Mrs.O‟s fashion style above (see pic.18), she is constructed to be perfect in her classic and elegant style. It can be seen from the In t he picture of Mrs.O‟s fashion style above (see pic.18), she is constructed to be perfect in her classic and elegant style. It can be seen from the

be seen that Mrs.O‟s constructed style above can be a perfect way to create her professional classic style because it combines a top which becomes the basic of

classic style with neutral color, black which implies power.

Related to her own program in supporting military families, Mrs.O‟s classic and elegant style above is used to attend an occasion to honor military

families. Through her classic style which is constructed by black color, Mrs.O wants to represent the power of American Military Soldiers. As stated in the literature review, black denotes strength and authority; it is considered to be a very formal, elegant, and prestigious color. Mrs.O wants to show American people that they have strong military soldiers who brave enough to fight in the battle to defend their country, America. Here, through her constructed style, Mrs.O tries to invite American People to appreciate their military soldiers because of their sacrifice in defending America. Moreover, as American First Lady, she conveys American People that they live in strong country with strong military soldiers. Thus, they should be proud of their country and also their military soldiers. As grateful nation, American Society should repay the sacrifice of the

military soldiers through their deed by caring the soldier‟s family. America is a strong and an influential country. Through her classic style above, Mrs.O also wants to represent the strength of America. Her constructed military soldiers through their deed by caring the soldier‟s family. America is a strong and an influential country. Through her classic style above, Mrs.O also wants to represent the strength of America. Her constructed

Classic style is not only constructed by simple dress and simple top which is paired with pants or skirts, but it can also be constructed by coats combined with skirt. The picture below shows how Mrs.O constructs her classic style in different kind of attire:

Pic19 . Mrs.O‟s fashion style when visited military families

In the picture above, Mrs.O is constructed to be classic in coat. Her combination style between beige coat, beige skirt and black top is strong enough to construct her to be classic woman. As stated in the literature review, you dress In the picture above, Mrs.O is constructed to be classic in coat. Her combination style between beige coat, beige skirt and black top is strong enough to construct her to be classic woman. As stated in the literature review, you dress

has neutral color which reflects elegant in simplicity.

Mrs.O‟s classic style above implies that as an American First Lady, Mrs.O tries to represent the life of American women in the recent days.

Nowadays, mothers who typically hold domestic jobs such as nurturing and housecleaners have joined the working field. Thus, through her classic style which is constructed by the combination of neutral color over her wardrobe, such as her beige coat paired with black top, Mrs.O represents the freedom of American women in joining the working field. In other words, Mrs.O tries to build her image as an independent woman to represent the modern women life..

This fashion style which is constructed by coat paired with knee skirt in the same color (beige) is well- known in the era „50 in which many women found their roles, opportunities, and responsibilities expanded. While their husbands went to war or went to work in factories in other parts of the country, wives had to pick up their husband ‟s responsibilities. So, it clearly can be seen that Mrs.O‟s classic style above is strong enough to represent American Women in the recent days in which their role expanded into economical aspect. In other words,

Mrs.O‟s constructed style above functions to make her could be accepted by American People because she is able to represent the freedom of American Mrs.O‟s constructed style above functions to make her could be accepted by American People because she is able to represent the freedom of American

Families, especially military soldier‟s wife in the recent days in which they should

be independence while their husband have to go to the war to defend their country, America. Since Mrs.O belongs to a fashionable woman, in constructing her classic style above she also tries to be fashionable in classic, Mrs.O adds simple accessory such as gloves which also becomes accessory for uniform in the

era ‟50. Thus, from all constructed style above, it is strong enough to be classic in style, and strong enough to prove that she is able to conduct her role as American

first lady because she is able to represent American Women in the recent days.

Besides, to see how Mrs.O constructs her fashion in classic and elegant style, it can be seen from the picture below:

Pic20. Mrs.O‟s fashion style when held an event in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Pic21. Mrs.O met Queen Silvia of Sweden in the Yellow Oval Room of the White House that same day Pic21. Mrs.O met Queen Silvia of Sweden in the Yellow Oval Room of the White House that same day

Actually the elegant feeling which is occurred in the both of Mrs.O‟s fashion style above more tends to the use of similar items in the different occasion

Elegant here has tendency refers to how Mrs.O takes advantage of her same items in the same day rather than the meaning itself that is attractive. The strategy of creating both of her fashion style above implies that in conducting her role as First Lady Mrs.O is aware that she has rush agenda which force her to be punctual and

be simple as what elegant women tend to be; elegant women know how to be simple in conducting their rush time. She understands that she has to keep her collection of clothes in a tight quantity in order for her to remain well-dressed within a reasonable amount of time and enables her to be punctual (http://www.elegantwoman.org/wardrobe.html accessed on Friday, February 25 2011, 10.35 pm). It means that elegant woman recognizes that they have no much time to be well-dressed while she has many agendas in the same day which bent them to be punctual.

Thus, it can clearly be seen that the use of similar items itself actually Thus, it can clearly be seen that the use of similar items itself actually

Her combination of tee-shirt and floral skirt in the first picture above is strong enough to represent her as an elegant and fashionable woman. If you want to look simple yet fashionable with your floral skirt then you can always wear those tee shirts (http://www.floralskirt.org/ accessed on Friday, February 25 2011,

10.35 pm). Moreover, gray color over her tee-shirt above belongs to neutral color which is traditionally used in constructing classic and elegant style; as what stated in the literature review, gray is a neutral, balanced color. It is a cool, conservative color that seldom evokes strong emotion although it can be seen as a cloudy or moody color. So, it means that her choice of gray color over her attire above which is paired with floral skirt above is actually strong enough to show her simplicity in dressing as what classic and elegant style tend to be.

As what her commitment in her debut as American First lady that is being modest, in her constructed style above Mrs.O is able to prove it. She has good enough quality clothes that enable her to be well-dressed without wasting much time just for choosing a proper style to attend some agendas. Moreover, as As what her commitment in her debut as American First lady that is being modest, in her constructed style above Mrs.O is able to prove it. She has good enough quality clothes that enable her to be well-dressed without wasting much time just for choosing a proper style to attend some agendas. Moreover, as

Furthermore, elegant style also creates attractive impression, to see how the media constructs Mrs.O to be an attractive woman; it can be seen from the picture below:

Pic22 . Mrs.O‟s fashion style in the cover of “O” Magazine

The picture above also becomes the indexical meaning which is occurred as a photograph. Related w ith elegant impression, the “O” magazine tries to show the attractiveness of Mrs.O in being the first African-American First Lady. Through her constructed style of coral dress, a soft yellow cardigan and waist belt above Mrs.O is able to prove American People that she could show her attractiveness even if she is a black woman which does not belong to American beauty paradigm. Konstantin (EzineArticles.com Expert Author) states bright, daring colors such as coral are very "in" right now, and look fabulous on almost any skin tone. These fun shades are for the adventurous, and sure to put you in the spotlight. It means that black woman also could be attractive over the use of bright color as like white women, and it can be represented by the magazine cover above The picture above also becomes the indexical meaning which is occurred as a photograph. Related w ith elegant impression, the “O” magazine tries to show the attractiveness of Mrs.O in being the first African-American First Lady. Through her constructed style of coral dress, a soft yellow cardigan and waist belt above Mrs.O is able to prove American People that she could show her attractiveness even if she is a black woman which does not belong to American beauty paradigm. Konstantin (EzineArticles.com Expert Author) states bright, daring colors such as coral are very "in" right now, and look fabulous on almost any skin tone. These fun shades are for the adventurous, and sure to put you in the spotlight. It means that black woman also could be attractive over the use of bright color as like white women, and it can be represented by the magazine cover above

a feminine woman, but she is also constructed as an intellectual attractive woman. Since she is one of American outlooks, she is supposed to be an attractive woman. Thus, as what occurred in the “O” Magazine Cover above, the media tries to illustrate Mrs.O‟s attractiveness through her coral dress which is strengthened by

the additional color of soft yellow cardigan. As stated in the literature review, yellow is very effective for attracting attention; yellow is associated with joy, happiness, intellect, and energy. As well in constructing Mrs.O to be an attractive woman, the media also constructs Mrs.O to be an intellectual woman. As stated in the literature review, behind every great man, there's a great woman. Indirectly, in the cover above the media tries to show American People that behind a great man as Barrack Obama, there is a great woman as Mrs.O. In other words, the media wants American People know that they have a great woman as their First Lady who could support her husband in leading this country.

Here the use of cardigan itself also represent how Mrs.O typically creates atmosphere inside the society, once again that the cardigan strengthens the implication that the wearer feels comfort. So, it means that the media wants to show American People that as American First Lady, Mrs.O feels comfort to be with them in any occasions and try to make them to be as well as her. Considering she is a fashionable woman; in the “O” Magazine Cover above, the media tries to

keep that image by adding her common additional accessory, such as waist belt

optional with the coral dress. It is clearly can be seen that the media tries to construct the first African-American First Lady to be a representation of fashionable black woman. Through her constructed style in the magazine cover above, Mrs.O is supposed to be able to convey American black people to be more confidence; moreover she is supposed to convey black people to follow her way in creating attractive appearance without aware about the American beauty paradigm. Here, the media perfectly constructs Mrs.O to be an attractive black woman, both attractive in style and attractive in behavior.