Reactions are mixed as to whether or not the age-old red carpet question has a place in Washington. "Who are you wearing?" CBS' Mark Knoller, who has covered a State Dinner or two in his day, tweets:

@markknoller: Seems rude to ask "who are you wearing?" Like asking "how much money do you have on you?"

@markknoller: Does the 5th Amendment cover "who are you wearing?" I'm sorry, on advice of counsel (or personal stylist), I decline to answer.

@markknoller: free advertising for the designer? Then why not plug your toothpaste or brand of deodorant? I'm wearing Crest and Right Guard.

One Washington reporter who has no qualms asking is apparently WaPo's Robin Givhan. From tonight's White House pool report on social secretary Desiree Rogers' arrival:

Robin "show off" Givhan, who is standing next to your pooler asked what everyone wanted to ask: "Are you wearing Comme Des Garcons?"

"Of course," Rogers replied.

The First Lady, for the record, is wearing Indian-born designer Naeem Khan.