First Family of Fashion Dresses for Inauguration

ABC NEWS

The first family of fashion showed up for President Obama's second inauguration in style.

The first lady's early morning outfit consisted of a navy-and-black checkered Thom Browne coat. Under her overcoat, Michelle Obama wore a dress by the same New York designer, and a cardigan by Reed Krakoff. She has accessorized her outfit with a J. Crew belt and shoes, and a necklace by Cathy Waterman.

See More of Michelle Obama's Looks Here

In a "Nightline" interview, Tim Gunn, fashion consultant and television personality, told ABC news that he loved the first lady's style, because she is "not a dress-up doll.

"She is of her own mind, and she knows what she looks good in," Gunn said.

He also said that he was quite surprised to hear that the first lady was going to wear Thom Browne on this important occasion.

"Thom Browne is known for avant-garde menswear," said Gunn. "I thought, Mrs. Obama is wearing Thom Browne to the inaugural swearing-in ceremony, but in fact it is magnificent."

According to the White House, the first lady's outfit, after the service at St. John's Episcopal Church, is likely headed to the National Archives.

While the morning outfit surprised Gunn, he expects the evening gown will be the biggest surprise yet.

"We know what she wore the last inauguration, the gorgeous Jason Wu dress . And this second inauguration, I am expecting something that may be a little sleeker, a little less exuberant, " Gunn said.

"I would be surprised to see too much over-the-top exuberance at the inaugural ball. I would expect to see things that are a little more, I won't say subdued, but sleeker, and a little understated. That certainly sends just as profound a message about elegance and sophistication as something that is bigger and brassier, which in fact can have the opposite effect."

The fashion bug must have bit the Obama daughters, too. Malia Obama is also wearing J. Crew, like her mother. And the younger Obama daughter, Sasha, is wearing a Kate Spade coat and dress.

See How the Obama Girls Have Grown Throughout the Years

Gunn gushed over the young girls fashion sense, saying they looked "sophisticated and elegant, just like their mother."

"They are princesses certainly - metaphorically speaking," he said.

Tune in to the ABC News.com Live page on Monday morning starting at 9:30 a.m. ET for all-day live streaming video coverage of Inauguration 2013: Barack Obama. Live coverage will also be available on the ABC News iPad App and mobile devices.