Oprah on the campaign trail

Oprah hit the campaign trail with Sen. Obama and his wife, Michelle, this weekend - and I have to say she looked fantastic doing it. Her neutral palette wasn't boring, but it was slimming, and more importantly, conservative enough for Washington (and Iowans), but hip enough to maintain her Hollywood image. It was an image that was very much what the Obamas have been portraying themselves throughout the campaign - young, but respectable. I would hope that some of the women on the Hill have their eyes open and maybe take some pointers from the Oprah-Michelle fierce fashion duo.

All one color in different shades and textures makes for a put-together look that is both slimming and timeless.

It's just a simple, single-breasted pantsuit that fits properly, isn't flashy in color, isn't over-embellished with jewelry/scarves. It's just the antithesis of Hillary - and really what Hillary should be wearing. (They kind of have similar body shapes, right?)

This is so perfect for a daytime, outdoor event. I love that she belted the shirt - very trendy - but kept the palette simple so as to not make it look too young for her. And my favorite part? The yellow is perfect for her skin tone but not bright and flashy to distract from the important thing - the candidate. That's something Michelle is often very good at, too.

- AP Photos/Paul Sancya, Elise Amendola and Gerry Broome, respectively

Colbert: 'Nothing completes a look like children's health-care legislation'

In a odd change of events, Stephen Colbert was asked to introduce Speaker Nancy Pelosi last night at Glamour's Annual Women of the Year awards. And, though his writers are on strike, he was able to come up with a funny and fashionable speech (note the reference to the mandals!). It's worth a couple minutes of your day to actually read through it - it's freakin' hilarious:

... And speaking of mocking politicians, many have asked me why someone who has advised members of the House of Representatives not to go on my show, why I would honor Nancy Pelosi at the Glamour awards. Because she made history this year? Because she's three heartbeats away from the presidency? Because I suddenly like her?

No, I am here tonight because I love Glamour. I love its lifestyle. I love the magazine. I have my own personal do's and don'ts. Do work a retro up-do, with a little headband. Don't criticize the president. And I just love fashion. This season, I love high-waisted pants. I adore Oxford pumps—no, ankle booties! And if you have a sweater dress? Make it even better—belt it! If it wasn't so cold tonight I would have ditched my wing-tips and worn my platform mandals.

That's why I'm here tonight to introduce Nancy Pelosi, because she is the most glamorous speaker we've ever had. I cannot pinpoint exactly what makes her different than previous speakers. All those guys had style. Newt Gingrich worked the aisle in pinstripes and power ties. And long before Jennifer Aniston had the Rachel hairstyle, Speaker O'Neill had the Tip hairstyle. Four-inch eyebrows, matching earbrows. Speaker Dennis Hastert was a plus-size model for Lane Bryant.

But none of these men hold a candle to Speaker Pelosi. Whether she's prowling the Capitol steps in a cream pantsuit, or strutting the halls of Congress in a blue pantsuit, or grudgingly clapping behind the president at the State of the Union in, say, cream pants and a blue pantsuit blazer—she always has the right accessories. Because nothing completes a look like children's health-care legislation. And I think we all know that the fashion moment of the year has to be Nancy Pelosi marching the S-CHIP bill up to the White House in her Veto-Me pumps. She is the most fabulous Speaker ever to rock the gavel. And though I may disagree with everything she stands for, I will defend to the death her right to make-it-work [snaps]. So it is my honor to present to you the distinguished representative from California, Madam Speaker, Madam Glam, Nancy Pelosi!

To read the entire speech, click here... To read a little bio from Glamour about Pelosi, click here...

- Getty Images

Unexpected celebrity, but she's wearing it right

Megan Colon probably never expected to have her picture in newspapers across the country today, but the staffer who stood by her boss looked great while doing it. Looking poised in casual professional ware, Sen. Tim Johnson's intern coordinator cheered him on in his first appearance back to the Senate since suffering a brain aneurysm in December.

Colon wore a very simple and understated outfit, with cool and neutral colors mixing in a perfect fit. The skirt was basic, but an added slit gave it a little flair, and though I am not so sure the popped collar was necessary, it didn't look as wrong as most popped collars. Besides her neatly polished (and posh) bob, what I appreciate most is she found a pair of wedges that I don't absolutely hate. As Johanna would say, I don't particularly like shoes that "make a woman's foot look indelicate," and I believe that is something so many wedges do. These, however, are slim and narrow, have a just-perfect-hint-of-shine patent, a slightly provocative peep toe, and a not really offensive contrasting tone for the wedge itself.

Overall, the look is what a staffer should aim for. Now an actual Member is something completely different ...

– Bill Clark/Roll Call and John Shinkle/Politico, respectively

Prince of Darkness keeps his cool

The Yeas & Neas boys, who are going on their own little recess for a couple weeks, got a fun dressing tidbit out of author/journo Bob Novak:

"It’s mind over matter,” Bob Novak said when the journalist was asked how he can bear to wear those three-piece suits in the middle of summer. ... [He] blamed it on the demands of his TV appearances.

“It looked better on television to see a vest than a big old belly,” he said. “The camera people told me those seersuckers weren’t good for TV” because of all the lines.

He also said there’s a certain type of respect that results from wearing a dark, three-piece suit on a 100-degree day, especially when you’re not breaking a sweat. People look at you and say, “That guy knows something.” ...

To read the entire item (basically what I have), click here...

You can see the sorrow, right!

Dianne Feinstein's outfit is so much the better option in a time of mourning than Laura's completely ill-conceived outfit she wore to the bridge-collapse site.

The California Senator and former San Francisco mayor, speaking yesterday at a memorial service for former San Francisco 49ers coach Bill Walsh, looks perfect for the situation at hand. It fits, it's classy but not overstated, it's black, and did I mention, it fits. And this neckline is what all the Congresswomen should be looking to wear - low enough so you can see the collar bone and it doesn't look like your shift is choking you, but high enough not to bring about any speculation of cleavage.

– AP Photo/David Gonzales

This is how women should dress on the Hill

Rachel over at Project Beltway snapped this shot of Linda Daschle (Tom's lobbyist wife) and Abigail Blunt (Roy's lobbyist wife) at a Hill newspaper party last week and I think it is just a fantastic example of how politicos can do to a feminine and chic suit. They're both sexy and you don't even see any cleavage - Hillary, again, take note. The hues are perfect for summer and can clearly take you from day to evening with no problem.

– Rachel Cothran at Project Beltway

Chertoff looks human for once

Not much to say about this photo taken Friday in Long Beach, Calif., just that Rep. Jane Harman looks very well-manicured and stylish in a just-right-for-summer cream suit and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff actually looks human with his unbuttoned collar and sunglasses. Nice.

– AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes

Condi's Shaggy dancin'

So everyone is giving Condi a hard time because of the YouTube video showing her head bop to the music of Shaggy. I am going to give her "mad props" (I know, I'm white and this isn't the '90s...) because of her amazing suit-color choice. She has such a wonderful sense of style that she way-too-often hides in conservative duds because of her job (and because the media gives her a hard time about it!)

Here's a photo I snagged from i2_am_a_worshipper on Flicker. You can't see much of the outfit, but AP didn't capture this one.

To see the YouTube video, in which she looks like she's having a good time, and read Wonkette's off-color remarks and my contribution to the running commentary, click here...

Laura's graduation into the real world

First lady Laura Bush looked summery and elegant this morning as she addressed sixth-grade students graduating from the Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School in D.C. The clean-cut, simple-for-her cream suit teamed nicely with the school's royal purple. Her necklace was the perfect accessory to finish off the polished look. The whole ensemble was understated yet fresh - a nice turn around from her trip to Europe. It's nice to have you back in the real world, Laura.

Jenna was supposed to make the trip uptown with her (the first daughter taught at the school for 18 months following college.) I haven't seen any photos of her, but I'd be interested.

– AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

The Bushes take Europe, Day 2

Day 2 for Laura was such an amazing improvement! So far today (and that'll probably be it for costume changes), she has sported two beautiful outfits that are respectable, classic and chic - and funny enough, both jackets had flipped-up collars. (We saw both military-inspired and flipped collars in recent collections by Oscar de la Renta, the first lady's favorite designer.)

The first, which she wore while meeting with Czech first lady Livia Klausova, touring Prague's Castle gardens and totally showing up her counterpart, was a very simple fitted cream jacket worn with black pants and a single strand of pearls. It was elegant but not overstated. As for Klausova, though I don't care for her long suit jacket or floral scarf, both her three-strand necklace and embellished clutch are gorgeous.

The second, which she wore as her travel outfit leaving the Czech Republic on her way to the G8 summit in Germany, was a military-style suit - like yesterday's disaster - but fit her perfectly. The jacket was cinched in at the waist and totally accentuated her figure, and the skirt has just a little slit in the front making it modern and young (while age appropriate). Just to show that she's a real woman, a fantastic moment came when she had to fix her slingback which came off while climbing the stairs onto Air Force One. I just love that she's actually wearing slingbacks! (and that Bushy just stands there watching her fix it...)

– AP Photos/CTK, Michal Krumphanzl and Michal Kamaryt, respectively