From Iowa to India
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at 11:05 PM 
Photo used with kind permission from photographer Rusty Martin
We've been eager to feature this photo from the second we came across it. Taken in May 2007, Mrs. O visits with the Meyers of western Iowa in a neighborhood backyard. Though endearing on many levels, we were instantly struck by Mrs. O's ensemble. The deep peach hue of Mrs. O's silk top, softly folded at the neckline, catches the light and jumps from the page.
Though we most often think of Maria Pinto with respect to dresses for Mrs. O, the designer recently told WWD: "Michelle has [also] worn suits, blouses and skirts, depending on when you catch her," which may indeed apply to the blouse pictured here.
The color, fabric and shape are reminiscent of pieces from Pinto's Spring 2008 collection, though timing wise, this blouse would have come earlier. A lovely photo in its own right, it also brought to mind an iconic image from an earlier era. In March of 1962, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy traveled to India with her younger sister Lee Radziwell. Taking a cruise of Lake Pichola in Udaipur, Mrs. Kennedy wore an Oleg Cassini dress in a brilliant apricot silk.
Image used with kind permission from the Kennedy Library / Public Domain
"She must have studied terribly carefully. Every dress she wears becomes a marvelous spot of color. The pale apricot silk she wore for the boat ride on Lake Pichola was wonderful against these pink-tinged castles in the water," an admiring journalist told Joan Braden for the Saturday Evening Post.
Though of course not identical, the similarity of color and the role it plays in each photograph - attracting both light and the eye, and springing forth from the page - make these images feel cut from the same cloth (figuratively speaking, of course). And in contrast, that one is set in Iowa and the other India, only adds to the charm.
Outfits
Reader Comments (18)
Wow, we have come a long way, baby! Princeton, Harvard, and the coveted "closet agenda." This blog represents all that glory won by hard work, brains, and the 21st century.
First, the white gloves on Ms. Jackie O? Umm, no. I realize different times, different styles; but when you are traveling on a boat in India as first lady, I don't think that's the image you want created.
Second, the new Mrs. O does not look good in that glossy peach number. Even if I ignore the setting (really, it's a good idea to wear a satin or sateen dress to a backyard party in IOWA?!?!), the dress still is unflattering. It's color does not match her skin tone, and it's clumpy (folds all over the place, extra fabric - and not for effect, and a general slumpiness). This is not her finest hour and should be spotlighted.
Love Mrs. O and her clothes, but this number should be put in her love chest with her electino night number and both should never see daylight again.
Mccartney, I think that's actually a top, not a dress. And she's probably wearing it white capris. I have a similar top in blue and I can assure you, on a tall person, the extra fabric doesn't look "slumpy". Anyway, it seems a very appropriate outfit for a backyard get-together.
I do think the color is lovely on her. It reminds me of this other dress that has the same shade of pink that she wore a few years ago: http://www.virginmedia.com/images/michelle-obama-dress-300x400.jpg
(I do agree with you about the election night dress)
By the way, sometimes Michelle will wear something that I find totally endearing and unexpected. Like this outfit she wore to Ellen's show: http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0dT3ciX4SL1ay/610x.jpg
She's never boring.
I love that color on her. As a woman of color, I have that color in my closet, too, and it is very flattering on darker skin tones. As for the style, it's difficult to see from the picture, but I'm sure it fit her well, folds and all.
I think the apricot silk dress on Jackie is lovely, but for India? And with the gloves? Looks more like a cocktail dress than a dress for touring India.
I think that shimmery apricot color picks up the glow from Mrs O's skin - her skin always looks shimmery /glowing which is why I think she always looks good, even if the fashion she may be donning isn't perfect. Her glow and gleam always enhance and transcend and are a major part of her amazing physical aura.
Great photo comparison - I see your point completely.
I love that color on Mrs. O
I love the color on Mrs. O and I really love that she didn't wear typical "1st Lady Pearls". The gold jewelry glows off of her skin and complements the peach top. It's classic with a modern twist.
That peach color is flattering to most skin tones, light or dark. The ting with both of these pictures is that being on the campaign trail or as First Lady, these women are dressing for multiple occasions on one day. Michelle was most likely visiting a backyard barbeque in the afternoon, but on her way to something else probably more fancy in an hour. As Jackie O and her sister are similiarly dressed, I bet that boat cruise was a prelude/postlude to a more formal event.
I love that both women are on the side of over-dressed. It adds another intriguing parallel to the images. Hands down this is one my all time favorite photographs of Jackie.
Mrs. T: Love the historical connection you make between these two lovely, influential women. Hard to believe there's an almost 50-year time difference in the photos - a testament to the timeLESSness of classic style!
Omigosh, I LOVE the dress she's wearing in the photo posted by Jenna L (comments above)!!
And this post is great. I had not seen either of these photos/dresses. Thanks for putting them together! Both ladies look extremely classy. (And the white gloves don't bother me at all...)
Kristan
http://jbu.phuzzymath.net/
I have to agree with Sarah, this pink dress is not flattering on Mrs. O at all IMHO. It might have been just the photograph, but I really did not like this dress on Mrs. O - search Flick for Michelle Obama for some great outfits and pics.
I loved Jackie's dress on her, she looks just perfect.
Their carriage and posture is so noticably different - I think there's little comparison between the two women, other than that they are young first ladies. No offense to Michelle Obama, but she will never be in the same category stylewise as Jackie O.
Love the color on both ladies. The comparison between the ladies is moot. Different styles. Jackie was always fitted and tailored. Michele, well, we'll see.
I agree, there is no comparison between Jackie Kennedy and Mrs. O. Jackie is perfection and Mrs. O is...well, just look at the photo. The color looks great on both as brunettes, but the top or dress, whichever it is, that Mrs. O is wearing is all bunched up because it can't hang past her hips. She needs an experienced and sensible dresser to help her select her wardrobe, and she needs to stay away from innovative young designers who do not concentrate on 40+ yo profesional women. They are not doing her any favors and she is making their clothes look like dreck. If she gets some help quick, she may by the end of the first 4 years, begin to rival Jackie. It's possible, but so far, she doesn't have enough good taste and style to hang up Jackie's clothes. Hoping for better--SOON.
This photograph DOES NOT do justice to Michelle at all. The comparison with Jackie (or any other woman) is not necessary. Michelle is a beautiful woman in her own right with a pretty good dress sense.
How would you compare this http://www.operagloves.com/Classicstars/JackieKennedy/jackiekennedy-gloved1962_006.jpg
with this
http://flickr.com/photos/zaruka/2791010718/
Michelle wins hands down....but hey, let's not compare!
No, Michelle O is no Jackie O. and thank goodness for that. She's her own person and I love her style. I love that color, it's a color that looks good on most people and I find it to be true of myself as well.