Michelle Obama Wore a Thrifted Dress from a New York Store

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After two years with Michelle Obama as first lady, it's hard to remember a time when the president's wife was expected to wear nothing but red skirt-suits. At this point, nobody blinks twice when Mrs. O shows up in a deconstructed Japanese cardigan or a dress by an up-and-coming twentysomething designer, but this weekend she managed to make fashion news again by wearing vintage to TNT's Christmas in Washington taping. The Huffington Post thinks this may be the first time any first lady has worn a secondhand dress in public, and as much as we enjoy picturing Barbara Bush sifting through the racks at Beacon's Closet, we're pretty sure they're right.

The dress, a black 1950s number with a full skirt, was designed by Norman Norell and purchased at New York Vintage in Chelsea. It might have been pre-owned, but it probably wasn't cheap: While store owners wouldn't reveal the price, the New York Post estimates that a quality piece from the designer could go for $2,500.

The owners of New York Vintage, who regularly dresses celebrities from their collection of labels like Chanel, Elsa Schiaparelli, and Halston, told HuffPo that they were "truly honored" by Obama's choice. And while this might be the first time a first lady has worn vintage, they say it won't be the last: "Other dresses from the archive have been scheduled for use by the First Lady later this year."
· A First Lady First? Michelle Obama Wears Vintage Norman Norell Dress! [HuffPo]
· Michelle goes old fashion [NYP]
· New York Vintage [Official Site]