We have a tendency to want them to be the American version of royalty, but at the same time, if they start dressing that way, we get really offended and very critical.

You're placing these women in a sort of damned if you do, damned if you don't position. It's very difficult to select something that's going to please.

All of the photographs of her wearing that gown, she looks like she's Cinderella going to the ball. Older women remember her fondly and younger women, I think, get a kick out of how elated she was at being the center of attention going off to the inaugural ball.

It was gorgeous, but it was very very plain, very stylish.

She was following in the tradition of the first lady displaying this kind of elegance as a statement about the power of the presidency.

I'm sure Laura Bush will be getting a lot of advice from her mother-in- law.