The first lady’s style just keeps getting better. At a country-music event at the White House this week, she debuted an updo with sideswept bangs that perfectly suits her face and ever-changing wardrobe. But where did this style originate?
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Michelle’s most likely inspiration of all comes from inside the White House. Laura Bush’s short layer cut with bangs swept off her face now looks strangely familiar. Michelle’s fashion choices are drawing much more notice than her precursor’s, so perhaps the new updo is an homage to the woman who now calls Dallas home.
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Maybe seeing the first lady’s similarly dramatic side-sweeping bangs will cheer up the newly single Jon and Kate Plus 8 star, whose soon-to-be-ex-husband has been busy whisking his 22-year-old girlfriend to France (and another ladyfriend to the Hamptons).
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Michelle’s updo may have a bit more lift, but the 60 Minutes anchor drew similar attention for cutting off her shoulder-length locks—and her falling ratings actually rebounded.
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Michelle’s updo is softer and rounder than Victoria Beckham’s infamous severe bob, but the style is similar. But please, Michelle, don’t spring for highlights.
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Figure skating star Dorothy Hamill popularized the wedge haircut in 1976 after winning the Olympic gold medal. America’s sweetheart’s close crop was a little weightier in the back, but Michelle likely took cues from the ice queen to ensure her popularity rankings remain higher than her husband’s.
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Rihanna pushed the trend Victoria Beckham started one step further with a more dramatic and severe cut. Michelle’s latest goes for more body, rather than sleekness, and is a little more appropriate for state dinners.
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Demi Moore starred in Ghost in 1990, and her ultra-short cut became an extremely popular trend at the beginning of the decade. If Michelle O. wants to be more daring, she could take a few inches off and fashion identical bangs—but that seems unlikely.
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The girl who once broke hearts on Dawson’s Creek came into her own after marrying Tom Cruise and dramatically chopped off her long brunet locks into a more sophisticated chin-length bob, later mimicked by her daughter, Suri. Will Sasha and Malia cut their hair short? Only time will tell.
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Zac Efron introduced the world to “man bangs” in High School Musical and after he ditched them for a slicked-back look, this Gossip Girl star ably stepped in to fill the empty role. If Michelle’s not careful with her trims, her hair could fall prey to that tragic and twitchy hair-in-the-eyes phase.
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Even during the love-child scandal that will not die, the disgraced former presidential candidate keeps winning on one front: His carefully coiffed hair (whose cuts were reported to cost a scandalous $500 apiece) has never looked better. The first lady now has a swoop and shine similar to Edwards’ immovable mane, scandals not included.
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