Obama accessorized the look with a sparkling crystal necklace and green leather gloves and shoes. Although the First Lady's office repeatedly said that Obama would not decide on her outfit until this morning, the choice — including the color, fabric and accessories — shows a lot of confidence and planning on the wearer's part.

Cuban-born Toledo, who has been designing for 25 years and worked for a time at Anne Klein, is known in fashion circles as a "designer's designer" for her wit and whimsical sense of pattern, fit and fabric. The Manhattan-based designer also made the black tunic and palazzo pants that Obama wore to a fundraiser last June. But for her husband's swearing-in ceremony, Obama chose an elegantly sunny yellow, a color that for centuries has represented optimism. (See pictures of the fashion of Michelle Obama.)