Mrs. O Dines in Style
Friday, January 30, 2009 at 3:00 PM Mrs. O lunched with Washington D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty, his wife Michelle, and Jill Biden this afternoon at Georgia Brown's, a D.C. restaurant known for its traditional Southern classics. Our ever stylish First Lady was dressed in a medley of blues, including a stunning portrait collar overcoat in light blue herringbone tweed. Underneath she wore a cornflower blue dress with an asymmetrical draped neckline, paired with a blue green cardigan and royal blue patent leather belt to cinch her waist. The Huffington Post has a great slideshow of photos here. As "doreen" has observed in the comments, this look is another stand-out example of Mrs. O's masterful wardrobe remixing. We saw the same belt and cardigan as part of a more dressed down look as Mrs. O volunteered for the National Day of Service. Her shoes, we believe, are the same Jimmy Choo "Glacier" pumps she wore on Inauguration Day. Jimmy Choo pumps aside, this remains quite the mystery look. An afternoon of research did not reveal the designer. Any tips (anonymous or otherwise) would be most appreciated. UPDATE: A source reveals that this ensemble was the work of Mrs. O's hometown designer, Maria Pinto. In fact, we've confirmed that the coat is J. Crew! Further, we've now confirmed that Mrs. O wore Maria Pinto's Ella Dress, hand-made from Prussian cashmere. The dress is part of Maria Pinto's Fall 2009 collection.
J.Crew, Maria Pinto in Outfits
Reader Comments (70)
I LOVE this look and desperately want to know who designed it. Our First Lady is really dressing the part. The blue had a similar quality to the Isabel Toledo lemongrass for me - in the way it projected a new beginning. And didn't Mrs. O look happy today? So lovely.
I am 27. Whee!
I heart this outfit so much, I love how she blends colours and I love that she throws some things in that are not matchy matchy, such as the shoes and bag
btw I'm 24
I agree they are both awesome. But I also think that we are being a little too crazy on the praises. I love everything about the Obamas but if I (I reckon most of us) ran into them 10 years ago when they not in the limelight in some random street in Chicago, I seriously doubt, I would have done a double take or thought "WOW! THEY ARE RIDICULOUSLY GORGEOUS!" as "Elena" did. I am by no means trying to demean them or to sink the warm mood going on here. I think they are amazing and I can't begin to explain how great it is for me (and I guess the whole black community) to have these two in the White House.
Toya(I am 27).
Mrs. O loves her some cardigans.
I love cardigans, so i love her style.
;-)
45!
Well, Hydepark...you are speaking only for yourself!
I recently saw a video of Barack Obama doing an interview while promoting his book Dreams from My Father. This was more than 10 years ago, before he had entered politics, and he was only 34. Anyway, if I had met him, at that time, at a cocktail party or something, there can be no doubt I would have thought he was ridiculously gorgeous.
These things are quite subjective, but, TO ME, he could not possibly be more handsome and that was certainly the case 10 years ago as well.
This may not be the designer of her dress but it kinda reminds me of those dresses from Black Halo like this:
http://www.iheartluxe.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/black-halo-jackie-o-dress.jpg
I think the neckline is kinda sexy and I was pleasantly surprised that she chose that particular style, which is different from the sheath dresses she usually wears.
I love Michelle's use of color. I do believe it reflects her vibrant personality. The blue is great (and my favorite color). I do think she has to be a little careful with the patent or metallic fabrics. Sometimes they appear a different color. The shoe looks green and while the coat may have this color woven through, in photos the coat will appear as one color and the shoes just look green. Blue, brown? to match the bag or a totally contrasting color would have avoided this. But you know what, she is still a hit.
Also we have to mention Jill Biden a little. Jill has a such a bubbly personality but her clothes are swallowing her. She looked great in the red gown. But this black outfit with the scarf stuffed just makes her look like she sinking into the clothes. Perhaps, she has too much padding in the shoulders. I would love to see someone help her out a bit because the short red coat with the black boots and knees was not the best look for the inauguration. Someone please help Jill. We like her.
Mrs. D, I agree about Jill. I adore her. She's gorgeous and vibrant but doesn't have as much of a fashion sense as Mrs. O.
I think the reason Dr. Jill seems to be "swimming" in her clothes is that she's so petite. Even a simple scarf wrapped around her neck has excess fabric that appears to dwarf her. She has a more understated, yet elegant personal style, too... definitely could use someone to help her 'kick it up a bit' if she even wants that.
I love this blog and would have a field day in Mrs. O's closet -- I'm 29 and soon to be 30, eeek! But Mrs. O makes growing up look GOOD!
Oh, and Jenna, I'm 42.
Hello again ladies. To Chicagoan, yes Dr.Biden is petite and so am I. We learn how to pick clothing that accents the positive even next to our tall friends. She just needs for someone to teach her a few tricks and remove the big shoulders.
Like Amy. I am enjoying this blog.
@hydepark
Speak for yourself. Its funny how people get upset when people complament to Obamas. Get over it. People love them and yeS i would say How goreous she and him are if he was still in Chicago. Just like the Prez 20 years ago said in his book how "hot" Mrs O is when he 1st met her!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Speak for yourself sweety.
@Hydepark
Also, don't put me in the same catagory as "you!!"
I just KNEW that coat had Maria Pinto written all over it! I still think it's more a tweed than a herringbone, but it's hard to tell without a close-up of the fabric. Thanks for the update, Mrs T!
Hi Chicagoan, you're right! I do think it's tweed, not herringbone. I've updated the post accordingly.
It did look like tweed in another photo I looked at. It's a lovely combination with the dress. It looks like part of my earlier comments were erased but anyway I think that's why Michelle paired the shoes with this outfit. Tweed can appear different from a distance as this appears basically blue in photos. It looks like there is a little green that she continued with the shoe choice.
@Jenna -- I'm 40, love the site, would wear it all if my figure was tight!
mrs. o is classy and elegant, i love her height, charm and her quirky and individualistic style - but there is really just one little thing that someone, anyone, must let her know - that with her awesome height, when she stands, she really MUST keep her feet closer together - don't get me worng, i'm a huge fan - but i'm sorry, i just really had to say that...
I love Mrs. O's style because she is not only elegant and chic, but she is not afraid to be creative and playful. She
wears what she likes as well as what she looks good in. Good taste in style I feel also has to do with when to wear something as well as what to wear and how it is put together.