A Beacon of Style and Optimism
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 10:32 AM 
Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Mrs. O, our First Lady. You are truly remarkable in every sense. Through that sea of black wool, you shined bright - in a yellow lemongrass suit that made you a beacon of both style and optimism. With more time to take this in, we are loving the subtleties of Mrs. O's ensemble. Her grass green J. Crew leather gloves and coordinating Jimmy Choo "Glacier" pumps offer something unexpected, her signature "twist"; while Mrs. O's diamond pin (or is it a necklace?) brings light to her face.
For those wondering about Sasha and Malia's coats, the AP reports: "Their daughters were style icons in their own right, with 10-year-old Malia in a double-breasted periwinkle-blue coat with a blue-ribbon bow at the waist, and Sasha, 7, in a pink coat with orange scarf and satin belt, a coral-colored dress peeking out at the hem. Their coats were from Crewcuts by J. Crew." In a new report from WWD, Ruben Toledo (Isabel's husband and an accomplished illustrator) elaborates on the design team's excitement this morning:
"We're levitating - we really are," Ruben Toledo said minutes after watching Michelle Obama on CNN in an ensemble by his wife Isabel. The husband-wife team tuned in surrounded by their staff in their Broadway showroom. The soon-to-be First Lady did not tip her hand in any way. "We had no idea. We hoped she would wear something because she has bought Isabel's clothes before. We never know what's going to happen," he said.
Post from earlier this morning follows: 
Image via bobster1985 / Creative Commons
The AP reports that Mrs. O is wearing Isabel Toledo, the Cuban-American designer who famously dressed Mrs. O for the Vogue / Calvin Klein fundraiser in June 2008. In an October interview with the New York Daily News, Toledo revealed that she had designed several more ensembles for Mrs. O. We find it interesting that both last night and this morning Mrs. O has chosen yellow, a color which until now we haven't frequently seen in Mrs. O's wardrobe (save for her appearance in head to toe J.Crew on The Tonight Show).
In December 2008 Pantone named Mimosa the color of 2009, a color that "embodies hopefulness and reassurance in a climate of change". Is Mrs. O's favor for the color, perhaps, her way of projecting optimism? Cathy Horyn to the rescue. In a New York Times blog post, the journalist reports that not until this morning did designer Isabel Toledo know Mrs. O would wear the lemongrass-yellow coat and matching dress. "We're all up here watching the T.V.," the designer said in a photo interview from her New York studio. "It's great. We're so happy." Horyn writes that the coat and dress are made of Swiss wool lace, backed with netting for warmth and lined in French silk. "I wanted to pick a very optimistic color, that had sunshine," Toledo said. "I wanted her to feel charmed, and in that way would charm everybody."
Isabel Toledo, J.Crew, Jimmy Choo, Michelle Obama in Inauguration 2008, Outfits
Reader Comments (96)
Watching and Waiting, EXCELLENT point!! Maria Pinto is almost definitely the choice for the Inaugural ball.
Pena=Pinto..lol Mixed my artists and designers...
@ BarbZ
First Lady Obama is an attractive woman. I would love to see a picture of you for comparision.
I wasn't thrilled with the outfit either. She has a great figure and the whole ensemble made her appear matronly. As others stated, she should wear her dresses above her knees and show off her long, toned legs. I realize that this was a very special ocassion and needed something conversative, this was not the outfit.
She is still finding her niche and is having a wonderful time doing so. Like all of us, she will have "hits" and "misses".
The whole family is adorable and I wish them much success!
I just did a roundup of reactions to Michelle's outfit, and she is being universally praised. If you go to Google News and do a search for: Michelle Obama Toledo, you can see how much the "opinion makers" really liked it.
I'm sorry to say that I'm not thrilled with Michelle's dress. Lots of love to Isabel Toledo's past work and all, but this looked like the slipcovers on the couch in my Polish grandma's basement in Northeast Minneapolis. http://tinyurl.com/88vmh2
Does anyone know how tall she is? She seems to tower over some men even though I don't think her heels are higher than 3". And how tall is the president?
I'm interested to learn the outgit was not actually yellow but lime green. Yellow is a strange colour, as dar as symbolism is concerned. Yellow was considered the colour to avoid, in the Middle ages for instance. They preferred gold off course, as another side of yellow. and the pigment yellow was not so easily found perhaps, within organic substances. The ochres etc were however much in favour. Yellow was in fact assigned to jesters, clowns, the abnormal, mentally sick etc... And also, in medieval times, it was the colour of the jews. I wonder if that was the reason why the jewish star in the concentration camps was yellow? In a later period af art history, the 15th centhury, yellow suddenly became in favour, you see it in a lot of Maniërist and renaissance paintings of that period.
I don't think it is the colour of hope, was'nt blue the colour of hope? And off course it also stands for the gall, for anger.
The yellow in the 19th century is also interesting, fot instance in the paintings of Vincent Van Gogh. It is quite exhuberant and indeed has a 'mad' feel to it, I find in those works.
Possibly Mrs Obama chose it because it complements here skin tone well. Black people can easlily dress in colour, particulary purple, green, etc... If the colour is indeed green and not yellow the snetiment seems to be: ecology.
Love all of the commenting! I think “lemongrass” is a bit vague, but would not hesitate in calling the ensemble yellow. Certainly a yellow-green though, as the gloves and heels worked so cohesively.
Great comment earlier re: ribbons on the coats. Someone asked me earlier what I thought the “consistent thread” between the ensembles was and I think you've nailed it.
Unlike past appearances where the O family has been color coordinated, we saw Mrs. O and the two girls in their own colors today. J. Crew’s press release revealed that it was deliberate, to let each of their personalities shine through.
What an exciting day through and through. Can’t wait for tonight!
How wonderful a day is today! TODAY! Ooooh I have been waiting for what seems like forever for this day!
I can't even properly express how THRILLED I am that the First Lady and First daughters wore bright, glorious color! How symbolic of hope for the future and just glorious, unadulterated joy! That's what I felt this morning.
I adore that pale green color Mrs. Obama wore. It's one of my favorites. It just shimmered in the overcast winter day. She looked and seemed to me like the promise of Springtime. Very symbolic and profound, I think.
Also loved the elegant red worn by Mrs. Biden, and of course the bright, happy colors worn by Sasha and Malia. ALL my family members in Sri Lanka and Canada loved how they all looked ... so there's an international show of approval and love for our new First family's sense of style! :o) My young cousin in Sri Lanka wrote that she wished she was American for just this day, she was THAT moved by the Inauguration (which was broadcast in its entirety by Sri Lankan television, in partnership with CNN)!
They are truly loved all over this world. Truly!
What a day!
I JUST GOT BACK FROM INAGURATION (and still defrosting my fingers and toes I might add)
BUT I LOVED THE OUTFITS, I need like a few more hours to digest all the blogging i missed since yesterday!!
ps: to the 2nd comment, about the shape of the outfit, a friend observed that both Mrs. O and the president may have been wearing bullet-proof vests (especially when you compare Mrs. O's shape here to her other appearances)
anyways, I LOVE EVERYTHING SHE HAS WORN SO FAR, AND I AM BEYOND EXCITED FOR THE NEXT 4 (HOPEFULLY 8) YEARS!!!
I just found out about this blog and automatically added it to my blogroll. I adore Michelle Obama. Finally a first lady (aside from Jackie O) that has: elegance, sophistication, AND style. Michelle look absolutely radiant. Loved her outfit!
I thought Michelle looked so beautiful! And she really stood out - so confident! I thought her outfit was evocative of a look associated with another Mrs. O—Jackie Kennedy Onassis!
http://blog.findingdulcinea.com/2009/01/michelle-obama-wears-isabel-toledo.html
Great blog entry on Isabel Toledo and Michelle's dress.
I meant to say hopefully 8 years*
I've been thinking a lot about this wonderful new First Lady. I really think she's one of those people who is more immune to cold than many of us. When others are in long sleeves, jackets, sweaters, she's in a sleeveless top. Her look today is layered... and altho most of us would be freezing, maybe she's not! I like the fabric, the style, the color. I think it is a bold statement. I do think there's just a bit too much going on. The layers, the bow, the necklace(?).. I would have eliminated the bow ... maybe the necklace... I agree with a blogger above: look in the mirror and remove something.
None the less, she is charismatic and stylish and just delicious. Can't wait for tonight!
Breeze, keep in mind that the Obamas come from Chicago... we are NATURALLY more immune to cold! 30 degrees is downright balmy to us! :)
I hated this outfit, really hated it. It looks uncomfortable, the armholes are too high up, it isn't practical for the weather, it is very 60's looking, and I'm sorry to say frumpy. That said, I love this woman, seriously love her. Would take a bullet for her and her family any day. Just hope to see her style grow as time goes on.
@Kim...Although I am not positive,but im pretty sure Mrs. O (and mr. Obama) were wearing bullet proof vests underneath....as a friend observed, who's boyfriend is a cop and usually looks like that when he wears the vest..hence the puffiness
I am eager to see the gown that First Lady O will be wearing tonight. Does anyone have an idea of who the designer maybe??? So far, she has been looking pretty chic and sophisticated. She is obviously not afraid of color and being a little different in regards to her wardrobe. As for the person (BarbZ) who commented on First Lady O not being that attractive.....beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Very true I think O and Michelle had on bullet proof vests. It is a sad comment in a way, but it was really a GREAT outfit when you think that a designer actually DESIGNED for the situation. I don't think designers do that enough. Remember they wore these outfits at the parade (which they walked in) so yeah there were bullet proof vests.
It is sad. I met President Obama in Iowa and he would sometimes go to the gym and work out. Guys got to jock right beside him (and race him).
When will we see the first gown? Which ball will have the first dance?
I agree with Chicagoan--as another Chicagoan, I can say that the DC temperature isn't that cold for someone like Mrs. O, who has grown up in the frigid winters here.
I did not like this outfit at all. I liked the colour and the material, but the design simply does not do justice to Mrs. O I hope she does not use this designer again, this designer is NOT designing for the person who is wearing it.
i loved it... it was a classic look with a bit of color.
The neighborhood ball will be the first dance for the President and First Lady.
Barack and Michelle just finished dancing!!! They looked absolutely amazing. Michelle was wearing a white, one shouldered dress, it was textured in a way that I couldn't quite figure out but looked so unique. The skirt was flared slightly but very fluid. She looked so in love and they both looked so happy. It was an amazing dress! Can't wait to see pictures. :)
Well, I was wrong. It's Jason Wu, not Maria Pinto. And not at all the simple, relatively unadorned, figure-hugging dress that I expected. It's pretty, just not what I would have liked to see her in.
I guess that's what makes Mrs O's fashion sense so unique... you never know what to expect.
the lime-green outfit was ok only because it hid her huge hips (she doesn't exactly have a great figure, no matter how much u like her!)...
and the gloves should have been WHITE!...they looked like ugly pea-soup hands!...
snogirl, I have to disagree. Michelle has a great figure. In this shapeless suit, unfortunately, her shapely figure is being hidden. Sigh!! This designer failed Michelle!
LOVE the dress! I think the color is unique and conveys sturdy optimism. I also love the different textures and layers -- so rich. She needed something that would last throughout the day and she never looked frumpy. I think it was great that she and the girls were not matchy-matchy.
Most important, she was able to shine from the inside out and show enthusiasm throughout an insanely long day! How she was still dancing and smiling by the end of that parade is beyond me -- just beautiful!
Jeez what part of bullet proof vest don't ppl understand?
I loved the fashion-forward green-yellow color of Michelle's dress & coat combination and the pairing with olive colored accessories. The fabric was rich; the jewels and sparkle were approriate and added a regal quality. I live overseas in Tel Aviv and people here loved her outfit.
Such a vintage feel to the dress, and the color is very unusual for D.C. Loved it, especially the jewel detail at the neck. I didn't mind that the jacket wasn't nipped at the waist. And the GIRLS!!!! ADORABLE!!!
I think her choice of clothes is lacking, to say the least,all the back to the spider dress. She does not look good in these shapeless dresses. Her hips are way to large for that and she should ware a brighter color lipstick to help that underbite she has. Stop buyinh your clothes from J. Crew. that is where my 16 year old shops
Let's face it people, she looked horrible and not befitting a First Lady. All of these gushing comments remind me of The Emperor's New Clothes-for pete's sake admit it-and she couldn't hold a candle to Jackie O.
Mrs. Obama-get thee to a stylist!
Lovely photo of the outfit. Perhaps there's no bullet proof vest in this pic , so it looks really good.
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/05nIcD9geD0Ie/610x.jpg
i saw Ms Toledo do an interview and she described how the ensemble was constructed to add warmth to the outfit, however, i hope Mrs O wasn't freezing.She must have sacrificed warmth for beauty! she looked great!
I love Mrs. Obama! I thought the day was grand and well as the night. Everything and everyone was elegant beyond words! I would like to state though we have a fashion designer couture person and would be more than happy to be a designer for Mrs Obama.
Hated the pee-green Easter outfit, what was she thinking. The material looked liked she ripped it off someone's sofa--glad no one tried to sit on her during the luncheon. The white gown needed a going over with a lint roller (that was clumps of lint wasn't it).
I don't think the dress worked at all. It made her look huge. If she had a kelvar vest under it then it's not Toledo's fault. If not....poor cut and poor choice. She is a beautiful woman and she's tall and not a skinny model. But she can look so much better. Since we are bettering our worldwide relations perhaps she should choose Armani, if not Karan or Klein.
I like you barack ussen obama
I love that Mrs. O has her own sense of style, and most of the time, she's right on. However, I don't care who designed those green shoes, they do not go with that outfit. Black would have been a much better choice if she couldn't find a match to her gloves. And what was that ball gown? Chenile? Too lumpy, Mrs. O, keep it sleek.
I think both dresses were horrid and did absolutely nothing for her. The lemongrass dress and coat made her look sallow and who would allow her to wear those green shoes? Her gown was atrocious. It didn't fit her properly, she kept tripping on the hem. It possibly could have looked better as a strapless instead of looking like her shoulder was bandaged but, then the rest of the gown looked like it had Kleenex wadded up on it. I would'nt use that dress's material as a curtain. She needs someone to help her dress. Her outfits were the worst First Lady outfits in history. And the dress she wore to the Prayer service and then at the open house. Pulease get the women a designer with some taste and style!!!!! She's not a trendsetter, she's a nouveau riche trying to fit in.
I LIKED EVERYTHING SHE WORE BUT SHE LOOKED JUST WONDERFUL AND FABULOUS IN THE BEIGE SKIRT AND LONG BEIGE JACKET AND WHAT LOOKED LIKE BLACK BLOUSE AND ACCESORIES...WALKING DOWN THOSE STEPS WITH OBAMA WAS THE EPITOME OF THE BEST FASHIONS WE HAVE ALL BEEN LOOKING FOR AND SHE WEARS THE CLOTHES WITH CONFIDENCE I JUST LOVE HER!!
Arggg, that colour! Who would have chosen such a flashy, distant from protocol and unclassy colour for such a day? I'm not a fan at all. The ensemble's colour is horrid, the fabric looks cheap. It gave me the creeps to see Mrs O holding the Lincoln Bible with those horrible green gloves. Come on! Where's the classiness? On the other hand, I loved how she combined the brooch with her outfit. The only great bit.
No No No Not weather friendly, too cocktail-ish for daywear and ill-fitting to boot! Horrifically ugly choice for a nice looking gal. That nice black coat, some good walking boots and black leather gloves would have been better.