Our First Lady
Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at 8:21 AM 
Photo credit: Flickr user Barack Obama via Jeffrey Katz for Obama for America // Creative Commons
Mrs. O, our first lady. We are thrilled! To celebrate this historic evening, Mrs. O wore a Narciso Rodriguez frock from the designer's Spring 2009 RTW collection. Mrs. O paired the dress with a black cardigan and kitten heels, adding a touch of sparkle with diamond bangles and earrings. Malia and Sasha were adorably coordinated in red and black.
Clearly there are a range of opinions about last night's dress, many of them quite strong. And while admittedly it's not our favorite of Mrs. O's frocks, we don't feel as negatively as some. As others have observed, it would have nice to see the dress sans cardigan.
One of the strengths of the design is the hourglass shape created by the diagonal bands of black satin in contrast to the red textured fabric. Already a rather complex design, the addition of the cardigan perhaps cluttered the look and diminished the hourglass effect.
For you adamant naysayers, New York Magazine does point out that the Narciso Rodriguez collection the dress stems from was one of the most critically acclaimed of New York Fashion Week. Though not our Maria Pinto prediction, Narciso Rodriguez was another likely candidate. Mrs. O has been seen in his designs several times before, most recently at the second Presidential Debate.
Update: There's a great piece on BlackBook in praise of Mrs. O's dress. The author asserts the dress is Mrs. O's "most commendable fashion statement as of yet." Judging by the comments left here, it seems most would disagree. But this polarization is a good thing. It means the dress is interesting, which is far better than the alternative - boring. Love it or hate it, this dress will forever be part of our memory of last night and our first look at Mrs. O as first lady (past wishful thinking aside). We will begin eagerly anticipating the Inaugural Ball.
Narciso Rodriguez Spring 2009 Collection: Photo courtesy of Narciso Rodriguez
Narciso Rodriguez in Outfits
Reader Comments (340)
i knew it! i thought to myself, that waistline/neckline is so Narciso. It was an interesting choice, especially color wise. However I was not so sure about the sweater....
I think the choice was exquisite. She pulls off a dress better than any (I can say it now) FIRST LADY in recent history. It was sophisticated but accessible. I loved the family color palette. Somehow, the red and black seemed perfect for the mood of the evening. It was celebratory but not to over the top.
When she walked out I kept thinking "what is all over her breasts and belly?" ... I thought it was HIDEOUS. She's so beautiful and elegant -- this is the worst ensemble I've seen her in. Too bad that on such an important night that there will be pictures of that forever!!!
Who needs CNN for election results? Very timely....your site has made me like Mrs. O.
Jackie O? I think not, and very insulting to suggest she even comes close.
This may have been a beautiful dress, but absolutely NOT Made For TV. It came across as red splotches, with no hint of her figure and elegant carriage. Still, today I am ready to forgive her anything.
Michelle-O-M-G she looked good!
I think she looked very modern and the sweater added an old fashion element. I was a mesh of old and new. I thought is was adorable. The entire family looked good. Jill Biden was looking very fresh also! Maybe we could add her to the site and have the First & Second Ladies share the site!
Ick! this dress is NOT made for TV. The red throbbed and made her hips look really wide. The "arrow" to her breast area from the lower half was horrible. As she walked out, two areas of her body "glowed" and not the areas that should be "glowing" for a newly-elected president's first lady. I'm an Obama fan, and a Mrs. O fan, but this dress stinks!
I've been checking out this site for a few weeks and I LOVE it. I'm not typically attached to politicians and their families, but I am in love with Michelle's style. Her dress last night was bold, but I didn't love it. But 90% of the time I think she looks fab and I want to copy her. If only I was tall and slim like her! :P
This has got to be my new favorite website. But as for last night's dress, I didn't think it was the most flattering on her. The black band going through the middle made her look heavy and possibly pregnant. I don't think it even looks that flattering on the model. I also had an issue with the length. I know the outfit needs to be demure, but it should rise at least an inch above the knee.
But I'm hopeful for her sartorial future. I'm expecting some more Thakoon, maybe some Phillip Lim (oh god, oh god) and maybe Marchesa for the inaugural ball? So far, she's had enough sense to say no to St. John - hope it stays that way!
If Mrs. O. has a fashion consultant, she needs to replace her/him. That dress was, not only wrong for her, just wrong. Where are the fashion police when you need them?!
I would love to see it on her without the cardigan. I also don't think hips are evil so I'm not bothered that Mrs. O doesn't look like a malnourished waif in it.
Loved the dress - but she could have done without the sweater - if it was cold there she maybe she have went for a long sleeved ensemble and saved this very pretty dress for another event. Nonetheless, she's still beautiful and I am in awe of this moment - she will be an amazing FIRST LADY.
I love Michelle's style and love Narciso Rodriguez, but the 2 did not make magic together last night. When the hem was increased to knee length and because Michelle is tall anyway, the whole proportion of the dress was altered - it has too much emphasis on the bottom half. I don't hate it, but I've seen her look more elegant.
But what is a mere dress decision mean to this most momentous occasion! I am delighted that she will be our first lady and that America has positioned itself to meet the promise of its people.
Loved the dress... and the cardigan was perfect with it. She can wear it again some evening, once she shortens the hem a bit and wears it with a low heel open toe shoe or even a dressy evening sandal.
May in Atlanta
the glow of her face paled the super saturated red glow of the unflattering dress. but what an inspiring beautiful family they all are!! love them
I was completely puzzled and distracted by the drama of the dress. I am sorry she wore it. She is beautiful and elegant and should dress the part.
the dress looks ok in this picture-but it was ugly on TV. it got the thumbs down from our election party goers--it looked like she dressed in a red and black spider and was very unflattering. Unfortunate, b/c I usually love her elegant outfits.
The coordinated family fashion scheme was breathtaking. Michelle's dress WAS startling, but in a fab way. She looked like she was on a runway.
Also, I feel a special affinity for the dress because I was wearing Narciso Rodriguez perfume last night!
I love your site and I'm typically a fan of Mrs. Obama's fashions. However, that dress was not the most flattering choice for so many TV cameras on such a special night! She would have done better in a monotone dress with a patterned sweater, or perhaps in the same dress had the color scheme been reversed. The positive part? She has plenty of time to pick out a great inaugural outfit! ;)
The only question I have about the Marchesa suggestion is are they considered American designers since Mrs. Weinstein and Ms. Craig are British-born. Mrs. O. probably would have her pick of American designers.
From my perspective, this dress was horrible. It looked as if the designer threw red paint at the front of the dress. Michelle added a sweater which also made the front of the dress look like a spider was ascending her body. What a fashion mess!. Michelle needs a new designer with taste! However, Michelle does have the body to enhance couture fashion with the correct designer. She needs to consult with a fashion designer that enhance her beauty not take away from it!
No. Just...no. This dress looked awful last night and today's pictures look no better. The red area over the belly was increased, why?, because the dress was made longer? And the neckline was changed from interesting to ho-hum. The cardigan made the dress look schlumpy. This was a miss, imo, on the order of Hillary's black tights in 1992. We heard tons of negative comments about those tights then and we're going to hear tons about this awful dress. ugh.
I love First Lady Select, however, I'm mad at her fashion consultants. The dress was way too busy for the lights and her body type. (I agree with the bloggers in that her style does not pale in comparison to the sophistication of Jackie O.) This is a great family and with a little help they have the potential to become fashionably fierce. Yes they can!
I too have to chime in and say the dress was awful. Even my brother, a computer programmer who is oblivious to fashion, said later that he thought it was bad but didn't want to spoil the moment by saying so. I think it was unflattering around the middle, didn't read well on camera, and the cardigan dressed it down...she should have just worn a warmer dress. Where was Maria Pinto when we needed something classic and flattering? Also, the girls are beyond adorable but Sasha in black was a little severe, no? All in all, a rare misstep for an amazing woman and role model.
I am soooo thankful for Mrs. O who continues to be a risk taker with fashions and embraces the best that America has to offer in the talent pool of fashion. I think she looked stunning last night and think she will continue to look stunning for the next 8 years!...Oh I am getting ahead of myself. I cannot wait to see what she wears for Inauguration Day. I could only hope that Mrs. O would select an outfit from my line. I also love this site! I recently discovered it and will keep coming back for more.
The notion that this fashion disaster has ever been dressed in anything, tasteful, elegant, figure flattering or worthy of comparison to Jackie O. is absurd. Everyone must be blinded by the same 'change' concept to think this is fashion.
Beyond.
I am a huge Michelle Obama fan, and I have come to her defense repeatedly regarding her previous fashion choices, but I must admit that the dress was just horrible. It seems to me that she doesn't wear appropriate clothing for such special occasions ( I am sorry but sometimes her clothes are too tight and not flattering). She has such an extraordinary presence and I would just like to see her presented with more taste and elegance.
First first thought was, "Whhhhaaaaat?" and then I was all, "no way...." and then I managed a "hey now, girl," and finally, I decided that this was a "WORK IT!" All that being said, she looks like a black widow spider in that thing with the hourglass on the front. No, no, honey, you got to find yourself a new stylist, girlfriend.
i loved Mrs. O daring approach to fashion...she will use U.S. designers..and we will love some clothes and detest others...it will be fun...but all in all..we love her for her intelligence and poise and beauty...can't wait to see the next dress.....they are such a beautiful family...the colors were smashing...aren't we lucky we finally have a modern First Lady!
I thought it looked like a Halloween costume! It was absolutely horrible and about as far from "Jackie Kennedy elegance" as one can get. Please somebody help this woman with her wardrobe before she becomes First Lady! She COULD be so elegantly beautiful, if only she got the right advisors. What were they thinking???
Michelle Obama is great, but the dress was not. My friend's husband said it looked like a nosebleed!
At first I didn't like the dress at all, but have to say that it is slowly starting to grow on me!
I love that Mrs. O takes risks with her fashion choices, and she can certainly pull of clothing combinations and colour pairings that would look utterly ridiculous on me, which I admire.
Last night was about so much more than what was being worn and how those gathered appeared, of course, but, for me, Mrs. O looked beautiful and radiant. As did her mother!
We all like Michelle and appreciate her efforts to be fashion forward. But really...this dress was frightening. With all the choices that must have come her way....she must of been overwhelmed with excitment and didn't have time to really choose???? Someone needs to pay more attention and quickly. The colors, the sleeves, the trinkets and now this dress. Stop her before its too late.
I LOVED the dress. Chic chic chic
Bizaare choice. And to wear a cardigan (again). Jill Biden always dresses appropriately. Michelle needs some serious help.
Mrs O is not the most graceful of tall women. (See pigeon-toed stance in the photo.)She is certainly no Princess Di and should not try to dress like her. Yes, she has her own style, but that doesn’t mean in looks good, and so far Mrs. O’s has been pretty awful. The sheath dress looks good on most women as long as it is not too tight–as Mrs O’s was at the last debate. She must either think that her arms are her best feature or she is in early menopause and is always too hot. A jacket occasionally would be more appropriate, and as much as I hate to say it, Mrs. McCain always looked more professional, like a First Lady should. Mrs. Obama, unfortunately, always looks a bit unkempt (although not as bad as Mrs. Kerry.) Until last night in Chicago, I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt by viewing her constant on-my-way-to-the-PTA-meeting look as her effort to not look elitist and to fit in with the masses, but that horrible black widow spider print she was wearing on the 4th proved she has no taste in clothes and is going to be an embarrassment as a first lady if someone does not nominate her quickly for What Not to Wear. Cindy McCain may not have been the most uninque in her choice of expensive suits, but Michele O looks tacky and ill-fitted by comparison most of the time and needs a makeover. Her inexpensive dress on the View was her best so far. Although I could only see her from waist up. I commend her for wearing off the rack, but she needs Stacy and Clinton to go shopping with her. As our First Lady, we really do hope she will make us proud.
I am happy I found this site. I thought it may have been shallow to be commenting on her dress but I couldn't figure why she didn't pick something more telegenic. This was one of my least favorite of anything I have seen her in.
it was hideous! I couldn't believe she wore it. that fact that no one stopped her is unbelivable!
That dress was horrible in the extreme! What was she or her people thinking? So beautiful with so many beautiful dresses before - why did she pick last night to scare America to death?
I LOVE that dress! Love it so much! I actually thought the cardigan was part of it - the black sleeves are a good look. She wears it so much better than that model does.
I don't normally love everything Mrs. O wears - but I really, really like that dress.
Beth, my dear. That dress does not even look good on the model. It was a terrible choice. I have to agree with Pamela. She needs to hire someone to help her--and fast!
The dress was pitiful as with some of her other fashion choices. It makes me ponder, what kind of image is Michelle trying to accomplish? I hate to say this but it just seems to me that she is attempting to be a sex kitten instead of the regal First Lady that I know she could be.
With all this being new to Ms. O, I think she is perhaps finding her way as far as selecting outfits that are perfect for her. I do not like the dresses I have seen on Mrs. O so far, the picture on the cover of Ebony is a terrific picture the outfit is very becoming for Mrs. O, it fits her and seems to be the right touch - I wonder if a red top w/Navy blue bottom would have done more for Mrs. O if it was a color scheme she wanted to have. I am confident - As an African American I wonder if we are so accustom to seeing white American on stage, that we are expecting people of color to look the same, I think the Obama family looks stunning in their choice of fashion - Cindy McCain's outfits were not all good choices, some of her outfits looked awful on her. To designer Narciso Rodriguez how long have you been working w/Mrs. O
A reminder that this site is dedicated to Mrs. O’s STYLE. While we generally find Mrs. O’s style to be superb, we recognize that it’s a subjective matter and welcome differing opinions.
That said, the subject is STYLE. Negative and hateful comments about Mrs. O’s personal character, politics and children are deplorable and frankly, unwelcome. If your comments fall into said camp, this is not the blog for you.
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Mrs Obama looked wonderful in her dress last night, the red&black positively complimented her beautiful figure---i can't believe some of the comments i've read here--but then again, I know what I saw and Mrs Obama looked very appropriate and special, she made a perfect dress choice!
I'm soooo glad to find this sight. That dress Mrs.O wore last night was just plain WRONG. Horrific. Even my husband
asked, "what is she wearing? I've never been a fan of the way she dresses, but last night drove me to find this site. If she has fashion consultants, they need to be fired. She needs emergency help that really has her best interest in mind and not their own agenda. The sheath is not the answer
What was she thinking........Her husband FINALLY gets elected President and that is what she chooses.....of all the choices It was a disaster!! A gorgeous modern woman who has presented herself beautifully in the past......lets hope whoever advised this gets fired!