Mary Todd Lincoln

The Daily Beast: Best-Dressed First Ladies

Mary Todd Lincoln always had the heart of a fashionista—even if she was a little out of touch. She wore dresses made of fine European silks at a time when Civil War ravaged the nation. For the first time, the press scrutinized her wardrobe, deriding her as a "vain" woman in "absurd costumes. And Lincoln took note of her place in the spotlight, admitting, "people scrutinize every article that I wear with critical curiosity."

(Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

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Best-Dressed Fir... Michelle Obama’s daring fashion choices may ignite debate—but they also bring style back to the White House. The Daily Beast gives the top 10 best-dressed first ladies of all time. (AP Photos)
Dolley Madison Dolley Madison was the first first lady to understand that style had the power to convey her husband's political agenda. She wore outrageous pieces, including wacky turbans, and made a concerted effort to evoke European trends by using more recherché fabrics and hats with peacock feathers.

(Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Mary Todd Lincol... Mary Todd Lincoln always had the heart of a fashionista—even if she was a little out of touch. She wore dresses made of fine European silks at a time when Civil War ravaged the nation. For the first time, the press scrutinized her wardrobe, deriding her as a "vain" woman in "absurd costumes. And Lincoln took note of her place in the spotlight, admitting, "people scrutinize every article that I wear with critical curiosity."

(Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Mamie Eisenhower When you think of Mamie Eisenhower, you think pink. She brought her favorite color into the White House—and totally redecorated her room in the color. And although Mamie was more matronly than many of the first ladies who followed her, she makes the list because she was the quintessential '50s housewife: Her look of wasp-waisted dresses, matching pocket books, shoes, and hats set the tone during her tenure at the White House.

(Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
Jacqueline Kenne... When Jackie Kennedy came to the White House, America got a first lady who loved clothes. She introduced the nation to high fashion, reading French Vogue in the White House. She worked with former Paramount Studios costume designer Oleg Cassini to construct her image around a very simple wardrobe. She wore the designs of Hubert de Givenchy to meet Charles de Gaulle, and wore brilliant colors, which were brought to homes across America on color TV. Jackie's taste was elitist and out of reach for most Americans—but its simplicity was accessible.

(AP Photo)
Nancy Reagan A sharp contrast from Jackie's sartorial simplicity, Nancy Reagan brought excess to the White House. She famously wore a $10,000 couture gown to her husband's inauguration in 1981, and constantly wore red, which was a symbolic color of her husband's administration.

(AP Photo/FILE)
Michelle Obama Michelle Obama epitomizes the two style attitudes of her first lady forebears: those who used fashion to embody their husband's political agendas, and those who took style risks. As witnessed by the Alexander McQueen dress she chose at the Chinese state dinner, Michelle Obama is using style to set the tone and to define a new etiquette of power.

(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
More on The Dail... To see the rest of the fashionable first ladies, click here.