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Local campaign organizer models fashions for the inaugural ball

BY ANNE BRATSKEIR | Special to Newsday

January 13, 2009

For 18 long months, Sherry Boucarut was on a personal "crusade" to get Barack Obama elected. "It was a dream, and the dream did come true," says the campaign organizer from Uniondale. And now, in less than a week, Boucarut, 57, heads to Washington, D.C., to enjoy the fruits of her labor.

But, phew! There's a lot going on at this inauguration, including close to 100 balls -- nine official ones -- and more than 80 other events, not to mention the swearing-in ceremony and the parade. "It's big," Boucarut says.

And the big question: What to wear? "I want to be positively classy and elegant. I'd like to be chic and stylish, so they'll know this girl is from Long Island," Boucarut says, noting that she is inspired by Michelle Obama's independent style choices and bright colors. To that end, Newsday called upon the style team at Bloomingdale's Roosevelt Field to provide Boucarut with inaugural fashion suggestions. Their response to the challenge? To steal a phrase, "Yes, we can."

The swearing-in ceremony

Tearing a page straight from the Michelle Obama stylebook comes the bold floral print of this feminine yet smart Anne Klein frock ($188), worn with Obama's signature strand of pearls (Lauren by Ralph Lauren $58). To fend off the cold, a sleek Burberry cashmere reefer coat trimmed in fur ($1,995), and bright red leather gloves (Portolana, $125). "If I met Michelle wearing this," Boucarut says, "I would say, 'don't you think I look very Michelle-ish?' And she would laugh." Tory Burch pumps, $395; Lauren by Ralph Lauren earrings, $24.

The ball

'I feel like I could part the Red Sea in this," Boucarut says of the dramatic black and white evening gown embellished with rosettes by House of Dereon ($388, and for the record, it's pop icon Beyoncé's label). Finishing the fairy tale look: glamorous onyx and black drop earrings by Judith Ripka ($2,150), ethereal chiffon shawl ($58, Lauren by Ralph Lauren) and sweet matching clutch ($145, Franchi). Hair, Susan Graham, Majestic Hair Designers, Uniondale; makeup, Brigide Brown, Chanel counter manager, Bloomingdale's.

The cocktail party

Michelle Obama often uses strong color to steal the scene, and the same holds true for Boucarut. She models a pleated purple chiffon (Tadashi, $388) accented with another Obama signature - an oversized starburst pin (Kenneth Jay Lane, $150). "You don't have to look all gushy-gushy to look dressed up," Boucarut says, referring to the structured clean lines of this "wow" dress. Judith Ripka woven cuff bracelet, $850; Enzo Angiolini shoes, $99; Lauren by Ralph Lauren earrings, $34.

What not to wear

Word to fashion-wise inaugural event attendees: If you're going to the official Independence Ball, don't wear the blue Amsale dress with matching shawl. Or, if you're attending the official Commander in Chief's Ball, avoid at all costs, the flirty, little strapless black Ralph Lauren number -- unless you want to see your dress on someone else.

This is the insider info provided by Web site dressregistry.com, where people actually register their dresses to, as the site puts it, "lessen the chance that someone attending the same event will be wearing the exact same dress."

To date, the site has 36 inaugural events listed, from official balls to brunches, and about 100 women have registered their dresses. It's kind of a kick to see what they're wearing - from straight-off-the-runway Carolina Herrera to discounter H&M, though, of course, there's no hint about what Michelle Obama will be wearing. And we're guessing she's not listing.