What Nancy Wore
Friday, December 19, 2008 at 11:31 AM 
Image courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Library
Our trip back in Inaugural Ball history continues, this time to visit the gowns of arguably the most fashionable former First Lady since Jackie Kennedy: Nancy Reagan. In both 1981 and 1985, Mrs. Reagan wore gowns from California-based couturier James Galanos. Known for his unerring attention to detail, Mrs. Reagan dazzled in Galanos's white beaded creations. The dress Mrs. Reagan wore in 1981 was a white, one-shoulder lace, silk satin sheath with crystal and bugle beads. Valerie Steele, Director and Chief Curator of The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, described the look as having "California pizzazz".
Despite the fact that Mrs. Reagan didn't own the gown - it was on loan from Galanos - the $10,000 price tag caused an uproar in the midst of the early 80s recession. Further trouble brewed as it came into question whether accepting a designer gift was a possible violation of the Government Ethics Act of 1977. Undeterred, Mrs. Reagan remained loyal to her favorite designer. In 1985 she wore another Galanos gown, in white beaded chiffon with Art Deco influences and a bolero effect. The Austrian and Czechoslovakian glass beads took more then 300 hours to apply by hand.
Image courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Library
Both taken in the Red Room of the White House, these photographs practically beg for comparison. Former President Reagan looks for the most part unchanged, as though he could have stepped out of one photo and into the other without notice (though Mrs. BT does point out that he switched from tails and a white tie in 1981 to a black tux in 1985). We can see Mrs. Reagan's look, however, dramatically transform from disco-era glamour of the late 1970s to "Dynasty"-inspired extravagance of the 1980s in the span of just four years. From her hair to her gown, the change is immediately evident.
So what style lessons can we derive for Mrs. O? A champion of high-low fashion, we have to think price will be a consideration when choosing her Inaugural Ball gown. As Valerie Steele weighed in for a recent Us Weekly interview, spending in the range of four figures seems appropriate for the occasion and economic climate, but anything more may raise eyebrows. As Mrs. O has proved so capable of doing to date, we're confident she'll choose a gown that's within financial reason, while of course, memorably and timelessly chic.
Reader Comments (20)
Hmm, Reagan wore white tie and tails in 1981 and then switched to a tux in 1985. Any word yet on whether the Obama inaugural balls will be white-tie or black tie?
While I was never a fan of Reagan (or Nancy), those are two beautiful gowns. Mrs. O could wear either one and pull them off. I hope that Mrs. O will consider a white or off white for her gown. She would look exceptional in that color. Jewel tones are nice, but a winter white - wow.
I must say that I'm not sure if I have EVER seen a dress on Mrs. Reagan that I actually liked no matter how many beads and crystals it took to make the look. Nothing against Nancy, but there's just something about the eighties that I'd rather not revisit unless it involves Molly Ringwald's gloves or Jennifer Beals' sweatshirt. But I must say that I do looove the one-shoulder number. I could definitely see myself in that right now.
www.zazzle.com/mizzbella
I love the 1st one, not so thrilled about the 2nd
(lol @ Mizz Bella's last post...but I have to disagree, im crazy about 80s fashion, minus the leggin!)
ps: CONGRATS TO THE MRS O. BLOG SHOUTOUT ON CNN, I hope Mrs. T saw it on Wolf Blitzer today!!! they were doing a piece on what Mrs. O will wear on Jan 20th, and they brought up this blog....love it!!!
I saw an exhibit of Nancy Reagan's clothing at the Ronald Reagan Museum and Library in Simi Valley, CA. While much of it is, as MizzBella says, painfully dated, the workmanship on those Galanos gowns is incredible, and the materials are sumptuous.
Also, Nancy is just a mere wisp of a woman, such tiny wrists!
I may have gazed at Nancy's 1985 inaugural gown here a little too long - I appreciate the Art Deco influence cited, but the cut of the bodice, especially the shoulders, looks kind of Star Trekky. Both are lovely photos; Nancy just doesn't look very comfortable and relaxed in the 1985 pic. Absolutely love your "look back" here as we await what Michelle will wear for the momentous occasion. Although she carries bright colors so well, I'm leaning toward preference for a white gown, given the special elegance of the evening. Sure hope Mr. O opts for a tux - hard to look relaxed in white tie and tails!
I wonder if Mrs T. can look into the outfit Mrs O. wore at Barack's swearing in ceremony, it was so chic!!!
http://www.trendhunter.com/photos/23620/5
I also forgot about Mrs. Reagan as being a very stylish first lady. Nancy's outfits were always talked about among the fashionably older and cultured set. During the helm of his presidency he and his wife both were not well liked. Even after the White House, Nancy was always seen as a very stylish woman. Regardless of whether people liked her or not, the woman was always impeccably dressed from head to toe. The last time that I've seen Mrs. Reagan was at the funeral of her husband.
OT, but I thought you might be interested in this, if you haven't seen it already. The Washington Post is having a contest where readers can submit their original sketches for Mrs. O's ball gown. Robin Givhan will review them and run the faves in the Style section.
http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2008/12/19/GA2008121901283.html
I haven't had a chance to comment before, but I just wanted to add that I love this site. Y'all do a great job. (I apologize for the unembedded link.)
Layo G., you read our minds! Mrs. C and I have been discussing that very outfit for the past few days. We hope to feature it in the next week or so.
ok, so i know iv probably hit my post limit before I become annoying, but here is the link to CNN with the mrs-o.org blog shout out on CNN
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/living/2008/12/19/keilar.michelle.obama.fashion.cnn
(sorry, i just love this site so much!)
Love the look on Presiden Reagan's face - that of a man who is happy to be standing next to his wife whom he loves.
Layo G you are so funny!
Mrs R seems to have gone from fashionable sleek, chic and youthful to stuffy, stiff matron in four years.
Its as if four years of being first lady caused her to become more conservative and safe. Look at the hairdo difference ! She went from that cool, slick look to a suburban housewife / 'grandma do' - why ?
I hope that Mrs O's sartorial confidence and her personal sense of style and fashion savvy remain intact for the duration.
Am I the only one who thinks a woman of nearly 60--even one as slim and well groomed as NR--shouldn't be showing quite so much skin? Gorgeous dress, but I distinctly remember shuddering at her saggy, crepey arms in 1981. Leave the one-shouldered looks for the younger women--like Michelle Obama, for example.
I must agree with 808 maven about Nancy's 1981 look. Unless a woman's arms are toned (like Mrs. O's), she should not raise her arm to wave. Nancy was tiny, but she didn't have the arms for that dress. Also, this was the one and only time I can remember ever seeing her with her hair pulled back in a sleek chignon. She had pretty much the same 'do for years.
As I recall the switch to black tie was thought appropriate for a second inauguration, especially after the raft of criticism the first one drew. It was incredibly expensive and over the top. They ran out of parking spaces for private jets at National Airport, and had to import limos from Philly and New York. Nancy's regal tendencies had to be reeled in a bit during the first year. The balls were lavish, and the night before the inauguration there was a big show put on by their Hollywood buddies where Ronnie and Nancy were seated in the audience on chairs that looked an awful lot like thrones. Ah, the 80s.
"Unless a woman’s arms are toned (like Mrs. O’s)......"
When are we going to become civilized enough to appreciate all shapes and sizes of women?
I like the first gown better, but I think Mrs. Reagan looks lovelier in the second. It's more flattering.
Kristan
http://jbu.phuzzymath.net/
It is amazing to me how much both Ron & Nancy aged in just four years. The difference b/t the two pics is staggering.
I think the first dress was a little young for Nancy.