Michelle Obama's Inaugural Dress

What Michelle Obama wears to the inaugural balls next week has been the topic de jour for months. As part of this hysteria, I woke up this morning to an NPR interview by Renee Montagne with Simon Doonan, the Creative Director of Barneys New York, discussing what the new first lady will wear. He seemed most excited about whatever her choice might be given her beautiful "physicality." I couldn't agree more. Michelle has a stunning figure - tall, athletic and elegant. Barack's a lucky guy.

Truth be told, no one is more opinionated about what dress is best for Michelle than my girlfriends. Lesley (and Lesley's work colleague, Frederique), Erjona and Samantha sent me their picks for Michelle's dress. None of them have seen each other's choices...until now. What do you all think?!

Lesley and Frederique's Pick - These coworkers chose a bold Monique Lhuillier number because they "think it would be a great color on Michelle and it is very elegant but 

not toooo skimpy. At first we were going for "what would Jackie O wear" and went only for Oleg Cassini-esque designs but were not inspired. Michelle has her own thing going." 

Erjona's Pick: She described this Elie Tahari number as " beautiful, serious for the occasion" while carrying "a streak of her style". 

Samantha's Picks: According to Sam, "The thing about Michelle Obama is that she's a perfect mix of what we all strive be: classy, flattering, fashionable...with a tweak of something 

edgy, girlish, and unique. She's also got a fantastic figure. This makes dressing her relatively easy, but come on... the Inauguration is a big deal, and Michelle has to exude the glamour and sophistication of the White House royalty she's become. I'm actually in favor of the Gianfranco Ferre gown. Unfortunately, while i can't see the front, i'm completely obsessed with the structured, cascading back that reminds me of a mixture of sand dunes and a waterfall."