It was a rare mis-step for a woman whose style has been much praised during her brief time in the global spotlight.

On Nov 4, as her husband became the first African-American elected as the President of the United States, Michelle Obama, 44, stood proudly by his side in a red and black Narciso Rodriguez dress.

The next day, even as newspapers were flooded with emotional editorials lauding this historic moment, many fashion pundits took time to snipe at her dress.

'I voted for Obama, but I didn't vote for that dress,' one voter told The New York Times. An arts and culture blogger even dubbed the splash of red across her torso 'a lava lamp look'.

Home-grown image consultant Christina Ong, founder and principal consultant of ImageWorks Asia, agrees the dress was not a good choice. 'It was too garish,' she says.

However, the 49-year-old, who is also the founding president of the Association of Image Consultants International South Asia Singapore Chapter, adds that Obama has shown more hits than misses over the course of the campaign.

'Her clothes give the impression of someone who is down to earth and grounded, a responsible, capable and supportive wife', says Ong, who notes that the incoming First Lady chooses to emphasise her femininity with dresses rather than opt for suits.

'It's quite unusual to see a First Lady who is so comfortable in her own skin. She has a very understated poise.'

Indeed, while the retail industry may be reeling from the economic crisis in the United States, the American fashion set is seeking solace in the style credentials of their next First Lady.

Rumblings that Obama would be giving Jackie O a run for her money as the most fashion-forward occupant of the White House started early.

Consider this: The only First Lady to make it to the cover of Vogue to date is Hillary Clinton, who graced the top fashion monthly way back in 1998, a full five years after her husband first moved into the White House.

However, one of the first stories that broke the day after Barack Obama won the election centred on Vogue editor Anna Wintour's desire to get his wife to agree to a cover shoot.

While Clinton's Vogue cover couture came courtesy of Oscar de la Renta - also the designer of choice for conventional First Ladies, such as Laura Bush, who prefer looking classically elegant - Obama has consistently shown more flair in the way she dresses, favouring bold colours and striking prints.

No wonder fashion editors are in love with her confident, modern take on First Lady style.

Vanity Fair added the lawyer and graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School to its International Best-Dressed List last year, noting her 'independent and strong and distinct fashion sense'.

There is even a website, www.mrs-o.org, devoted to chronicling her every outfit.

The mother of two girls - Malia, 10, and Sasha, seven - works out regularly and is not shy about baring her toned arms in sleeveless dresses or wearing cuts that emphasise her statuesque 1.77m frame.

She is also a master of accessorising. Whimsical brooches often decorate her neckline, adding a touch of fun to minimalist ensembles.

She seems to favour gumball-sized pearl necklaces too, as well as statement necklaces by Irish jewellery designer Tom Binns.

By choosing to wear clothes by up-and-coming and niche American designers at high-profile events, she has endeared herself even more to style mavens.

Think her Isabel Toledo tunic at a fashion industry fund-raising event; the regal purple Mario Pinto dress worn the night her husband won the Democrat nomination that promptly made the little-known designer a household name; and a floral print dress by Thakoon Panichgul worn at the Democratic National Convention, which has since been immortalised in an Elizabeth Peyton painting.

More than the de rigueur flag pin American politicians sport on their lapels, these choices signal a knowledge and support of the American fashion industry that is most becoming for a First Lady.

As Robin Givhan, the style critic for the Washington Post, put it: 'For a First Lady, clothing choices are more than flashes of personal expression. They serve as visual cheers for an industry that often feels beleaguered or dismissed, especially now, when people are cautious about discretionary spending.'

She has no qualms about wearing mass labels either. While Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin was blasted for blowing US$150,000 (S$225,570) on her campaign wardrobe, fashion pundits were quick to point out Obama's pocket-friendly pieces from H&M and J.Crew.

Despite the intense interest in her wardrobe, she has not relinquished control over her sartorial image. For the record, she does not use a personal stylist.

For a More magazine cover shoot earlier this year, for example, she insisted on wearing her own pink Maria Pinto sheath dress rather than the stylist-provided threads.

More editor Lesley Jane Seymour noted: 'Obama drives her own fashion train, which is impressive. She has a look and style that she cultivates carefully and is not going to let anyone, including fashion editors from New York, tell her what to do.'

After all, who do you think makes sure the whole family is togged out in colour-coordinated clothes when they take the stage at high profile events? We are guessing the savvy Obama has a lot to do with these visual images of a young, vital, confident and good-looking all-American family.

Sticking to her relatable image, she has preferred to stay low-key about her fashion icon status. 'I'm kind of a tomboy jock at heart but I like to look nice,' she said recently.

Still, as she becomes one of the most famous women in the world, she will have to step up her style game.

Casey Chua, 52, style director of Casey Inc salon in Palais Renaissance, thinks a more layered hairstyle will suit her better.

'Her hair looks a bit stiff. More layers will give it some movement and soften her features. She has a lot of presence but she can look better,' he says.

Fashion show producer Daniel Boey, 42, believes high heels, instead of the flats she often favours, will further lift her image.

'She should be proud of her height,' he says.

Still, he thinks she is well on her way to being a formidable style icon.

'She's one of those people who is comfortable in both cheaper clothes and expensive labels because she has innate class and knows which silhouettes suit her. With her height and figure, she is a designer's dream,' he says.

'From some angles, she can appear to have a bit of a paunch but which woman who isn't a model doesn't?'

CAMPAIGN CHIC

Urban picks the next First Lady's top five looks while she was on the election trail

1 FRESH AND FEMININE

At the first presidential debate, she wore a floral print dress (top picture) from Asian American designer Thakoon Panichgul's current fall collection. This is a fresh but feminine take on the traditional political spouse look, such as Cindy McCain's posh, buttoned down suits and prim dresses.

The black bow pinned at the collar is another of her signature touches.

2 HINT OF RETRO

A Moschino shirtwaist dress (right) gives her a rare retro look at this political rally - pictured here with husband Barack, Senator Joseph Biden and his wife Jill - but the exuberant floral print and knee-skimming length are in keeping with her usual touch of modernity.

3 STYLE ON A BUDGET

Appearing on The Tonight Show in the wake of Sarah Palin's wardrobe scandal, Obama laughed when host Jay Leno asked jokingly: 'I want to ask you about your wardrobe. I'm guessing about $60,000, $70,000 for that outfit?'

While not taking any shots at the Republican vice-president nominee, her answer was a study in fashion politics: 'Actually, this is a J. Crew ensemble. We ladies, we know with J. Crew, you can get some good stuff online.'

4 MASS MARKET ELEGANCE

Bloggers at first thought this striped dress was a Narciso Rodriguez design, but it was eventually revealed to be an H&M dress that reportedly cost a mere US$34.90 (S$52.60).

It is a flattering look despite the pouffy shape that gives the impression of a little tummy. Ballet flats and a handsome husband complete the casual chic look.

5 SIGNATURE TOUCH

At the Democratic National Convention, Michelle Obama rocked in what is fast becoming her signature look: a form-fitting Maria Pinto dress in a bright colour (right), accessorised expertly with a distinctive starburst brooch.

This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times on Nov 14, 2008.