Perhaps if the fashion industry stopped catering SOLELY to the under 30 crowd and realized that there are many of us over 30, 40...okay over 50, who have disposable income and would love to buy age appropriate but not dowdy clothing.....ahhh well, it's only a dream...never happen... - Over 50, CT

Amen, sister. The above comment was posted in response to a recent New York Times article that hinges the future of fashion for regular gals on one woman: Michelle Obama, age: 45.

In the article, writer Guy Trebay delves into Michelle as one-women stimulus package for fashion, both in sales and design. The new First Lady is turning 45, yet for months (years, really) on the campaign trail, she managed to keep her clothes fresh, fashion-forward, flattering (except for that election night misstep), and, most importantly, appropriate.

Trebay points toward Obama's propensity to mix high and low (dresses from Target and White House, Black Market, as well as sweaters from preppy-chic retailers such as J.Crew and the Gap are culled along with clothes from American fashion upstarts such as Narciso Rodriguez and Thakoon Panichgul) and her willingness to spice up a Plain Jane sheath with costume jewelry. 

The NYT article links to a gallery of her campaign looks. (The first photo unfairly pairs her election night confection from Rodriguez with a model wearing the frock on the runway.)

There's no question that Obama has impeccable personal style, but it's also worth noting that she has serious help. Shoppers, designers, labels, retailers are all frothing at the mouth to dress her. She also has a fabulous figure and the chutzpah to pull most outfits off with aplomb. As Trebay notes, she wears the clothes, not the other way around. So what about Over50 up there, who has the money and the means to dolly herself up, but finds the stores she shops lacking?

Two words: Liz Claiborne. Before you raise your hackles in anger at my audacity for mentioning the once fab retail label for women (note: women!) dressing for work and play that has now gone to pasture in sweater-set limbo, let me add two more words: Isaac Mizrahi.

Mizrahi, the American designer now best known for his cheap-chic designs for Target (that notably earned the company $300 million annually), accepted Claiborne's offer to serve as the label's creative director when his contract with Target ended late last year. 

In a recent interview with Tom Ashbrook on the radio program OnPoint, a caller asked Mizrahi about Claiborne's now defunct "Elizabeth" line, which offered classy looks for fuller-figured and more, ah, mature ladies. (You can listen to the entire interview at the link above; we highly suggest it, Mizrahi is a hoot.) 

Mizrahi immediately responded to the desperation in the woman's voice, and said that while the line would probably not be called "Elizabeth" (he has an irrational distaste for the name), introducing a line that harkened back to those great lines with more generous cuts was top on his list.

Mizrahi's new designs for Claiborne won't be in retail stores until spring 2009. But Women's Wear Daily offered a preview; we've included a few below, but you can see the full gallery here. What do you think Over50? Do these looks fit the bill? (Items from the as yet unnamed full-figure line are not included in the preview.)

Something tells me that zig-zag striped maxi dress isn't going to do anyone any favors — not even Michelle Obama. And the orange clow-pants....neh.

--Ms. TwentySomething

[all images via WWD]