Michelle Obama is very smart indeed when it comes to her fashion choices.

On the anniversary of the Obama’s first year in the White House and the day after the Republican gain for Teddy Kennedy’s Senate seat, Mrs. Obama chose exactly the outfit to make the right statement: A matching coat and sheath dress.

If I were the First Lady’s fashion advisor, I couldn’t come up with a better ensemble for today’s photo op. If it was Mrs. Obama’s choice, she continues to have marvelous fashion instincts.

We most associate the First Lady wearing a dress with matching coat on Inauguration Day—that one was the yellow brocade by Isabel Toledo. To celebrate the year anniversary of the inauguration at the White House today, Mrs. Obama chose a dress with matching coat ensemble from the Moschino. pre-spring collection

The Moschino coat suit has a very Camolot-ish, ladylike refinement with a “having all your ducks in a row” assemblage of Mrs. Obama’s signature ladylike chic — it’s a cool take on classicism. And isn’t that like the Obama image?

The matte lurex fabric is right on trend with its glamorous surface texture. The matching cap sleeve dress adds a vintage feel, a nod to heritage, yet modern. And isn’t that like the Obama image?

All said, I think today’s fashion choice certainly does reinforce images of hope from a year ago today.

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_{Photo credit: Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton.}