by Jessica Jones Advance Fashion Editor January 19, 2001

Sitting behind her husband during his presidential victory speech in the House chamber of the Texas Capitol last month, Laura Bush was already the picture of a first lady.

Wearing a high-buttoned periwinkle blue suit by Dallas designer Michael Faircloth, Mrs. Bush was exhibiting what has become her signature style: A practical wardrobe filled with softly shaped jackets and knee-length skirts.

Often criticized for looking ordinary and plain, Mrs. Bush seemed to have taken all of the fashion condemnation to heart -- gradually updating her look from Texas casual to Washington sleek. As is tradition, it was a designer from her home state that helped her to achieve that transformation -- the same designer who has planned a spectacular fashion line-up for the Inaugural ceremonies tomorrow.

As the new first family stands just west of the Capitol building for the Oath of Office, Mrs. Bush will be wearing Faircloth's peacock wool boucle suit with espresso-colored stitching down the front and a blue overcoat trimmed with espresso camel hair. The suit features a tunic-style top that zips up the back with a softly pleated neckline. A matching hat and pair of brown leather gloves are the expected accessories.

After the Inaugural Parade, Mrs. Bush will make a quick change into her evening ensemble, in which she will appear at eight official balls throughout the city. The gown, which was also designed by Faircloth, is a red Chantilly lace silk georgette and Swarovski beaded evening column with a discreet scooped neckline. The gown reportedly took three women at least 100 hours to bead. A matching red silk satin evening coat with sky-blue lining was also created for the event.

Faircloth, who has designed a number of pieces for Mrs. Bush in the past, told Women's Wear Daily that it took just moments for her to say yes when she saw the sketch of the dress.

"I know Laura and her taste really well," the designer said. "It's all about classics and interpreting them for her style. She's an extremely intelligent woman with lots of self confidence, and she knows what works for her. And I think that personal style will continue to evolve after she goes to the White House."

The design-house of Judith Leiber has created a small, classic clutch style purse for Mrs. Bush to carry with beading, sequins and a clasp inspired by vintage jewelry. A ruby-and-diamond necklace from Dallas-based Sue Gragg Precious Jewels is the planned wardrobe highlight and a pair of red satin Stuart Weitzman pumps will complete the ensemble.

Lamas, whose beauty credits include the makeup design seen in James Cameron's Titanic, is the founder and chairman of beautywalk.com, a website dedicated to helping women look beautiful. He concurred that an up-do would be all wrong for the Inaugural Ball since Mrs. Bush's hair is so short. Instead, he advised that she wear her hair away from her face in a cameo effect to set off her features.

"Something with volume," he said. "Something that will show off a great pair of earrings and make her eyes more expressive. She should wear some sort of stunning jewelry, but no pearls -- there are enough Bush women wearing pearls already," Lamas laughed.

"I feel that when you become First Lady, you play an enormous role," he said. "You're dealing with so many important issues in such a public forum, and unfortunately people judge you visually before they even have a chance to look any further."

As a sidebar to the formal event, Lamas advised that Mrs. Bush should wear her hair longer in a more updated look. He said that the look Hillary Rodham Clinton is wearing would be appropriate for Laura because it would accentuate her smaller features.

"Her hair color is too dark as well," Lamas noted. "I would recommend some deep caramel shaded highlights around the face just to soften the frame. It should only be about a shade and a half lighter than it is now -- a medium soft brown perhaps -- but it would really warm up her features."

"They're not appropriate for every body shape and some angles that I've seen her in have made her hips too obvious," Lamas said. "She's very at home in the ranch, but now she has to adjust to a new lifestyle. She's in a grand house now and she has to fit the part. She's a plain jane with some beautiful surroundings."

"He is an outdoorsman," the beauty expert said. "And that seems to have led to some dry, flaky patches on his face."

Lamas recommends a moisturizer with a daily dose of SPF and regular visits to an esthetician for skin-enhancing facials.

"As president of this country, it's important to look healthy and well-rested," Lamas said. "It's not just an image. People feel more confident knowing that their president is taking care of himself."

Lamas also suggested that Bush purchase suits made of a better material that have sophistication in their design.

"His suits just seem to hang on him," he said. "It sounds odd, but the right style commands a certain respect, strength and confidence."

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