Well-Suited in Burgundy Tweed
Friday, December 12, 2008 at 1:10 PM 
Photo used with kind permission from photographer tehelka
Inspired by Mrs. O's ensemble from the Jefferson Jackson dinner in Iowa last year - a great example of how to wear a classic suit and still look perfectly feminine - we thought we'd highlight another Mrs. O stand-out. We love the burst of burgundy on this two-piecer from Peter Soronen’s Fall Winter '06 collection, worn the night Mr. O won the South Carolina primary in January 2008.
It seems apt that Mrs. O would favor Soronen’s work, as he first established his business in Chicago and continues to be stocked at Chicago-based Ikram, a favorite Mrs. O boutique. Similar to the Peter Soronen frock that Mrs. O wore to the second night of the DNC, this ensemble highlights a high and narrow waistline with its delicate and curve-hugging seams - not a surprise considering Soronen’s extensive work with corsetry.
And though the wonderful texture of the tweed and wide lapels are flattering and season-appropriate details, we’re even more obsessed with the flutter sleeves that playfully call attention to the magenta satin lining. The suit looks fairly classic in shape, but its versatility allows it to be worn many ways. A sheer lacy top underneath, as seen paired with the pink tweed version below, can show off the demure cut and feminine detail, while the skirt or jacket can easily function as separate statement pieces. But by layering a plain white camisole and three stands of pearls, Mrs. O looks professional, classy and approachable—and strikingly like Jackie O, as others have been keen to point out.
Click here to look through Soronen’s Spring Summer '09 collection, “LIVE,” which uses a wonderful range of classic silhouettes, textures, and patterns that we think would look quite dashing on Mrs. O. Pink tweed suit from Peter Soronen's Fall Winter '06 collection:
Photo used with kind permission from Peter Soronen
Peter Soronen in Outfits
Reader Comments (7)
...and the color is far from drab. She wears a feminine suit and takes it even further by not wearing navy, gray, or charcoal tweed. I especially love the lace bustier in Sorenen's lookbook photo.
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I love this outfit on her. If I was to wear something like this, the collar would be too big for me. (I'm 5'4".) But Michelle is tall and statuesque so she wears it really well. I love the sleeves!
I really like Peter S. I believe Mrs. O. also wore one of his dresses during the DNC that was absolutely lovely. He does good work and I hope to see her wearing more of him in the White House on official visits, etc.
Love this suit.
Great suit, love the lines and shapes it creates (with the help of Michelle's wonderful figure).
Actually, this is one of my less favorite Michelle outfits. I like the color, but the style doesn't seem like a good choice for her figure. Her long arms seem to be hanging out of the end of the sleeves, and the skirt is too tight across the hips. Just didn't work for me.
I like the color and the cut, but the sleeves flare a bit too much for me. I DO like seeing the lining, as you mention, but this particular sleeve just strikes me as... clown-ish. Sorry!!
I don't like it on the model either, if that makes anyone feel better. :P
Kristan
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