First lady picks gowns for inaugural events

WASHINGTON – First lady Laura Bush has chosen a silver and blue V-neck evening gown of embroidered tulle, made by American designer Oscar de la Renta, to wear to next week’s inaugural balls.

Over the gown, she’ll wear an ice blue satin coat, the White House announced.

Earlier on Jan. 20, during the ceremony on Capitol Hill in which President Bush takes the oath of office for a second term, Mrs. Bush will wear a winter white day suit and coat, like the evening ensemble by de la Renta. The coat is embroidered cashmere and the matching dress is boucle wool with embroidered trim.

For daytime events on Jan. 19, Mrs. Bush chose a light green, long-sleeve column dress and matching coat in boucle wool, both accented with antique ivory grosgrain ribbon. The outfit was designed by Peggy Jennings. For that evening’s candlelight dinners, Jennings created a gown of rose-colored beaded lace over pink silk satin with an hourglass silhouette and a flounced hem.

Later that night, for the Texas State Society’s Black Tie and Boots Ball, Mrs. Bush will wear a Carolina Herrera taffeta shirtdress with a raspberry awning-stripe pattern on a fitted bodice and full skirt.

The Bushes’ daughters, 23-year-old twins Jenna and Barbara, will wear creations by Lela Rose, de la Renta, Derek Lam and Badgley Mischka.