Presidential style: Polling the experts

Fashion experts consulted on how they would advise the potential first couples gave these nonpartisan opinions:

Cindy McCain "Cindy could loosen up. She can do her impeccable thing, but not so impeccable. Tracy Reese and Peter Som would be good choices. Som's designs are very ladylike, but more unexpected."

CONSTANCE WHITE, EBAY STYLE DIRECTOR

"She's beautiful! The hair is a little long. I'd bring the length up to the shoulders. Women of a certain age should have a bang or a fringe. It adds to the softness of the face."

TED GIBSON, CELEBRITY HAIRSTYLIST AND NEW YORK SALON OWNER

"She wears a lot of suits, but taking off the jacket will connote a little more relaxation and softness."

KEVIN QUINN, OWNER OF STYLEDLOOK (WARDROBE CONSULTING) AND STYLEDLIFE IN GAVIIDAE

STACEY FINNEGAN, OWNER OF IL VOSTRO BOUTIQUE IN EDINA

"She does more understated but could pull off more powerful, wow pieces. Especially earrings. She has a beautiful sleek hairstyle and a great jawline and cheekbones. I would love for her to come in and play jewelry store with me."

JEANNIE JOAS, CEO OF J.B. HUDSON

Michelle Obama "She looks chic and elegant, but we're going to tire of her sheath dress. She can try a shirt dress. She is an everyday woman. I would love to see her in Narciso Rodriguez and Calvin Klein."

CONSTANCE WHITE

NANCY SHANK, OWNER OF DUGO (DRESS UP GO OUT) IN GALLERIA

"It's interesting how she is such a fashion icon and a strong woman at the same time. I would like to change her hair. I would put some highlights in and make it not so helmety."

TED GIBSON

"Her shoulders are feminine and sleek and she should play up that attribute and not cover it up."

STACEY FINNEGAN

JEANNIE JOAS

Barack Obama "He could go from very accessible Banana Republic to Brooks Brothers. He could really rock a Tom Ford suit. But not too often -- that would be elitist."

CONSTANCE WHITE

"I would like to see him wear Giorgio Armani or John Varvatos. I like his hair -- it's not too cropped."

TED GIBSON

KEVIN QUINN

"He was on the cover of Men's Vogue for a reason. He cloaks himself in great style that accentuates his physically fit features. Not sure what advice I can give the senator other than keep up the good work."

STACEY FINNEGAN

"I see Obama in much more of a larger, sportier look of a timepiece. That speaks to the generation too. He could try Omega, a larger, sportier version."

JEANNIE JOAS

CONSTANCE WHITE

"I know they say that men can pull off gray hair, but it ages people 10 to 15 years. A softer blond would look good on him."

TED GIBSON

"He always looks a little disheveled. He needs to find a way to get sizes that fit him better."

INI IYAMBA, OWNER OF IVY AND IVY MEN'S + DESIGN

KEVIN QUINN

"I am not sure if Mr. McCain owns anything but a single button, boxy blue suit. We can rest assured that he is focused on more worldly matters such as our economic stability and global positioning and not so much on what he is going to wear in the morning."

STACEY FINNEGAN

"I could see John in a more refined, more classic timepiece -- like the Jaeger-LeCoultre line or Glashütte."

JEANNIE JOAS