Mrs. O Steps Out in Washingto
Sunday, January 18, 2009 at 5:54 PM 
Photo by Kevin Mazur for the Presidential Inaugural Committee / Creative Commons
We try to refrain from gushing, but on this occasion we find it more difficult. As Mrs. O walked down the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for this afternoon's celebration, the reality that she will be our First Lady finally sunk in. In her style today, we saw a subtle shift befitting of her new role - was it possible that she looked even more impossibly elegant and polished than ever before? For today's celebration, Mrs. O wore a thoroughly well-styled ensemble in camel and black. Her black top sparkled with beaded embellishment radiating from the neckline, and was paired with a camel color knee-length wool skirt. A signature black belt added definition at the waist. Mrs. O's look was topped by a long black scarf and camel color wool coat that coordinated with her skirt. Her coat also brought an unexpected detail - a black lining - that drew the eye in and seamlessly blended with her black top and scarf. Black leather gloves, patent leather kitten heels and long sparkling earrings added polished touches to what was overall, an incredibly cohesive and memorable look. A quote in the current issue of Time from designer Thakoon Panichgul was evoked instantly when we saw Mrs. O this afternoon:
"She is someone with authority and style that people can look up to," says Panichgul. "It's a new way of looking at fashion ... this is about confidence, power and intellect. It's about something more real."
And on that note, we will spend the rest of the evening celebrating you, Mrs. O, and your truly remarkable family. Perhaps this goes without saying, but we look forward to the next several days with unbridled excitement. Today confirmed at least one thing for sure - a tastemaker and style icon, you already are. Update: The LA Times reveals that Mrs. O's ensemble yesterday was the work of Narciso Rodriguez, the same designer responsible for her fashion forward, though somewhat controversial red and black election night dress. Mrs. O has a long history with the designer, wearing his clothes throughout the campaign and notably, for her 2007 photoshoot with Vogue. While we assume yesterday's ensemble was a custom creation, the coat, in particular, appears most inspired by this look from the designer's Fall 2007 RTW collection. The contrast of the ivory wool and interior black lining creates a similar graphic effect to yesterday's camel and black combination. Booth Moore of the LA TImes described Mrs. O's look as "strong, elegant and above all modern." The Presidential Inaugural Committee has released photos from Sunday's events on Flickr. The Huffington Post also has a great slideshow of Mrs. O's recent looks, including close-up images that better show the "sparkle" detail of her top. And per the LA Times, Mrs. O was indeed wearing Loree Rodkin earrings for yesterday's celebration (as suggested by our own Mrs. C in the comments section!)
Michelle Obama, Narciso Rodriguez in Outfits
Reader Comments (55)
loved that outfit, can't wait to see the embellishment details up close
Loved the camel colored coat! Sasha and Malia looked adorable as well!
Stunning.
I am SO proud of our entire First Family. My joy is just overflowing right now over how much--cliche alert!--hope I really feel for the future of this country.
And how much I look forward to seeing Michelle as our First Lady!
I absolutely love this outfit.
Gorgeous!!!!!
She is simply stunning and radiant. They both are!
Earlier this morning, she also looked absolutely gorgeous in this coat:
http://www.necn.com/Boston/Politics/2009/01/18/Obama-lays-wreath-at-Arlington/1232293202.html
anyone know the designer???
Okay. That's it! I have a crush on her. But then again, I have a crush on him, too. Her outfit was flawless; right on tone and appropriate to the nth decimal place.
http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/840/slide_840_14877_large.jpg
A Close-up of this outfit. Amazing!
She is wearing that outfit. What a beautiful ensemble. Her skin is radiant in the camel color. The lady does know how to dress.
simply stunning!
Wearing black and brown together would make life so much easier for me. You know it would help expand your wardrobe.
@ Luxaholics_Steph I totally agree....I love the white coats she put the girls in, and their loose curls...I wish the entire family had walked down together, that would have been a photogenic moment (then again, when is that family NOT photogenic?!?!)
simply gorgeous, so exciting.
Stunning!
She looked absolutely gorgeous! I've been refreshing the site all day to learn more about her look. I'm blown away by how stunning this woman is.
Sasha and Malia did look so darling! I have a tip from a Mrs-O.org reader that they're both wearing coats from J. Crew crewcuts.
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0b1xaY88pv1WM
Thrilling. Absolutely thrilling.
Her look today was sophisticated perfection.
I am just so proud.
I love the lipstick she had on today. I knew she would look great in that shade. I'm hoping to see her wear that more often.
Keeping with the transparency of the O campaign, photos from today's celebrations have already been released on Flickr:
http://flickr.com/photos/inauguration/
Simply stunning. I loved the lavender dress/coat and then the camel/black outfit. Also the girls outfits. This is one gorgeous family with fabulous taste.
Love, Love, Love her outfit! The camel and black combo is gorgeous! I am African American and I could not be prouder for Mrs. O. to be my first lady!
Michelle Obama looked sensational! I can not wait until she becomes the official First Lady and brings back style into the White House! Yay!!!
I'm a big fan of Mrs. O and I love her fashion. I have to say that I"m in the minority here--I thought the sparkly top and the earrings were "too much" for daytime though I loved the reat of the look.
Absolutely Wonderful!!! I am so very proud of President and Mrs. Obama, each of them dress to suit every occasion with dignity and class.
Just one thing, I hope and pray that Mrs. O intends to wear stocking with her short skirt outfits. Certainly, this would put the finishing touches on her sophisicated apparel.
Elegant and polished, yes!
Also, just watching this video below, check out Michelle at 3:20, looks like a Thakoon top, what do you think? Lovely and casual, yet shows her fashion sensibility.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/28711124#28724118
The camel and black ensemble is a Narciso Rodriguez!
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/alltherage/2009/01/michelle-obama.html
Viking Babe, I agree. That was the first thing that I thought to myself ...that the earings were just too dressy for that outfit as they were for the night of the inauguration. Overall though, she looked great. She might have had on stockings though because I oftern wear ultra sheer brown stockings over my brown legs and it looks like I am not wearing anything!
I meant to say "as they were the night that he won the election"
Yes ! yes! yes ! a great day ! db
For America " Obama jewel "
http://www.myspace.com/davidbouns
Simply lovely. Perfect!!
Well, this very special lady has already shown a penchant for doing things her own way, so I'm happy to say I think the rulebook on what is considered too dressy for daywear is going to well and truly be torn up and thrown out. Look for others to be inspired, free up themselves and follow suit!
In this gem of an ensemble she looks confident, beautiful, beautifully put together and maybe most important of all, uniquely "herself".
I liked this combo a lot. I think the "sparkle" was a nice touch and added a bit of umph to the outfit.
Are there some additional pix of the lavender coat/outfit from the wreath laying?
the sparkly touch was just right for a rock concert
@ Layla - Thanks for the tip re: LA Times.
@ carol briggs - I debated whether to post images from the wreath laying ceremony and ultimately opted not too. Just feels like a rather serious and somber occasion to then emphasize Mrs. O's fashion. But she did look fabulous! There are great photos in the Flickr series, and from the cutout seam detail at the side, I wouldn't be surprised if it's another coat from Narciso Rodriguez.
Carol,
I am not sure which ones you have seen but here is one (of the lavender outfite): http://i40.tinypic.com/2d9db2o.jpg
Love the coat, hate the beaded top. Overall, tried to add flair to an essentially conservative outfit, but failed.
Carol,
A few more pictures of the lavender coat (it has lovely detailing!):
http://flickr.com/photos/inauguration/3206962422/
http://flickr.com/photos/inauguration/3206120235/
Both the Pale Purple outfit AND the Camel/Black outfit were by designed by Narciso Rodriguez.
Shoes by Jimmy Choo
NR did a great job love the entire outfit and the purple coat she wore was also gorgeous. Hit it out of the park imo.
Elegant, I really love the camel and black coat and skirt.
Mrs. O has shown a sense of fashion ability, actually in all of her attire, even if we don't all agree. I'll also like to comment on Mrs. B's attire. She as well has shown a great sense of fashion during the journey.
I think her earrings here may be an elongated quatrefoil design by Loree Rodkin? Also,to those who were wondering about stockings yesterday: Mrs. O has been quite outspoken on how she never wears pantyhose. We usually see her either bare-legged or wearing black tights.
@ Yvette - Great video. And you're absolutely right. At 2:04, Mrs. O appears to be wearing Thakoon's Shibori print cardigan. I imagine that clip is taken from the campaign trail earlier in the year, which likely means Mrs. O bought the cardigan from the designer's Spring 2008 RTW collection. Amazing find though. Even more reason to get a few pieces from the Target collection. Thanks!
Loved the subtlety of detail (treatment of seams) on Mrs. O's lavender coat. Thanks for zoomable pics, Jenna. Color was so appropriate for the Arlington Cemetery ceremony - not too somber, not too festive. The Lincoln Memorial black and camel ensemble will be hard to top in day-time apparel during inaugural events (We'll see!). I disagree with objections to the jeweled top and subtle sparkle earrings. Without them (and the patent shoes), I think the ensemble would have appeared too matte. Mrs. T and company: LOVE your site. It is THE go-to site on Michelle Obama style - and what a fun, and informed, community of bloggers. Thanks.
Mrs. Obama's ensemble at the Lincoln Memorial Sunday was beautiful. She is a stunning First Lady. She will undoubtedly bring a youthful perspective to the White House.
OMG, I just mentioned to a good friend of mine last week that I would only wish that Mrs. O give Narciso another chance and here she goes and reads my mind. I am over the moon! I love her for doing that!!!
NARCISO IS REDEEMED!!!!!
Ruth "Mrs. A" Ayres
Bravo, Mrs. T. and the other ladies of Mrs. O. This site has helped make one of the most wonderful occasions of my life that much more fun!
How could she possibly not wear stocking? It's 30 degrees!