Wednesday
Oct072009
A Night for Star Gazing
Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at 11:30 PM 
Photo by Jim Young / Reuters
The Os hosted an event with local middle school students and astronomers to do a bit of star gazing from the South Lawn of the White House this evening. This is a rare occasion when we must say, we are not loving Mrs. O's look. We have always been a fan of her fabulous Zero + Maria Cornejo jacket (worn last fall on the campaign trail) but here, the color mix - blue, layered with patterned purple - is perhaps a bit much. Ensemble aside, the Os do look like they're having a wonderful time!
tagged Zero + Maria Cornejo
Zero + Maria Cornejo
Reader Comments (86)
I love it! I think she looks fabulous!
I agree that the layering is a bit much. The khakis are nice, however, and I do love that purple jacket! The event was lovely, and it was funny watching her and Mr. O bending over to look through the telescope at the stars.
Another part I liked was when the president asked (rhetorically in his speech) which of the children would discover something (I can't remember the exact question). Anyway, a bunch of the kids raised their hands, as if saying "I will!" It was cute. They were really listening to him and HEARING him. Inspiring to say the least!
I already commented about this outfit in the previous post. If she had lost all those casual layers underneath the jacket (the grey one LOOKS like thermal underwear, she would have been priceless.
POTUS' expression is hilarious here.
I think both President and Mrs. O look great -- relaxed and excited to share astronomy with their girls and other school kids. I like the fit of Mrs. O's slacks, and I like the cut of the jacket. Overall, I think the outfit looks great for a casual evening of star gazing.
If this were a more formal public appearance, I might question the color of the jacket with the slacks and the mix of color under the jacket. But, I think she layered things to stay warm outside, and for this event, I think she looks great. Her joy is and confidence always shine. Love them both.
Interesting that you don't like this, Mrs. T! I actually like it quite a lot. It is a lot of layers, but I think the colors work (at least from the picture). Blue and purple are in the same family, so I don't have a problem with it. She just looks like she's trying to stay warm on a cool - and apparently breezy - evening outside.
What I really love is the slacks. Long, and well fitted. Great look for her. I'm glad fall is here and the crop pants in all of our wardrobes have been put into storage! Not anyone's greatest look.
Adorable picture of POTUS.
I see the podium in the pic and I remember Pres. O joking once before his speech that Mrs. O asked him why he needs the podium everytime he speaks. His response, "This is the White House and we have protocol."
it's good to see her in trousers for change - I think the trousers look great on her but I don't like the shoes, she always wears boring flats.
I'll have to see some other pictures - on first glance, I like this, it doesn't *seem* too much...it seems more like layering for the weather.
I lke the slacks, though -- probably because they look like something I would wear! :-) I like the wide leg and long length.
I think she looks nice and sporty. Relaxed and approachable, especially considering the kids. I actually like the layering, as well as the choice of colors. I'm getting quite a few pieces in shades of blue this fall for myself.
I am with Mrs T, the mixture of blue and purple. The blue top and the trouser are great. I like Mrs O attitude, anyway.
if there is one thing I don't like in Mrs.O's wardrobe is her cropped pants...so this look is working for me....love the pants and the layering on top
I think she looks great and so does he, just like models for a welcome home ad! Beautiful!
Just look at them. Do they look like they really care what anyone thinks about their clothes or how they look ? They're just thrilled to be. How divine!
I am liking this look especially this view:
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/91563736/AFP
I like how the bottom of the jacket meets the bottom of the sweater.
I like the fit, style and color of the slacks.
l like her signature belted layers, for what I think is a cute approach to a fall look instead of the typical fall outerwear. I like the silhouette the belt helps create.
I like how the cool color hues and tones of blue, gray and lavender are closely related.
Mostly I love how the outfit, to me, has the look of Mrs. O pulling pieces she likes out of her closet creating her own look for the event as opposed to some stylist putting together a stagy outfit to go stargazing with children.
LOVE the look.The layering and the pants
You are a little crazy on this: it is perfect! Your comments are always copacetic, but on this I had to pipe up: I think this outfit is great... the pants especially are so wearable for regular bodies. And the layering up top is lovely,
I don't agree with you, Mrs. T! I love this look!!! It works for me, very charming, appropriate and well-fitted. Cute picture of the two, it is great to see how much they are enjoying. Love the look on the President's face.
I agree with PalGal, I do not think cropped pants suit Mrs O especially when they are tight although I loved the outfit she wore to Poetry night at the White House.
I must say, I love the look that she is wearing tonight. The pants and jacket fit well and go together nicely - wide leg trousers suit her, reminds me of the black trouser suit that she wore in Europe early in the year. Anyway, the layers underneath brighten the outfit although I would have probably gone for a turtleneck if I was concerned about being cold. I can't help but think that all those layers may have felt bulky and uncomfortable. Nonetheless, she looks radiant and happy. She looks a complete natural and was born to step into such a high profile role.
I love Michelle and everything that she represents. I look forward to checking this website daily to see what interesting items she is wearing.
I think she looks great - good balance and fit overall......perhaps a dark pair of pants would kick it up a notch but considering it's an event for families it is totally appropriate. I'd have been proud if my mom showed up to any school event or hosted something similar to this dressed this way. A+ for the FLOTUS!
Looks like her manicure is lavender! Cool! Stunning makeup - she did it right: cool reds to perfectly offset the cool colors of her clothes.
Boazwife - I just read your post and I COMPLETELY agree with everything you said. I didn't take into account the venue as such but you hit it on the head. The mix of colours works and clearly shows a youthful playful side to Michelle that is fitting for a night of stargazing with children.
Interesting that this outfit was critiqued, when some of the other more questionable ones were feted! (Either way, it's ok, fashion is subjective).
The remark sufficiently spurred me, a silent reader, to make my voice heard and say I love the very cool 'smart casual' look. Definitely inspiration for Fridays at the office!
You are right on the money, Mrs. T. Too many colors, too much layering. Her trousers look good, however...they are fitting nicely.
I like it alot!
Love the pants, love the layering aspect too. Keeping comfy warm, but most of all stylish while doing so.
The one thing I like the most about this whole picture is that gorgeous glow she got on. It makes the perfect picture for me.
Touching story in today's NYT about the family history of Marian Shields Robinson. With a family photo of the Robinson's which shows that Marian was quite a fashionable young mother!
She looks great
I love the pants--perhaps the best-fitting ones I've seen on her. I agree with you, Operafanatic, that crop pants are not anyone's best look--even though I wear them fairly often myself because I live in a warm climate. But there's nothing like a nicely fitted, wide-legged pant to make a woman look graceful and well put together.
I also love the jacket and EVEN the belt! It's rare that I like her belted looks, but I think this one works because the jacket is fitted, so the belt doesn't cause it to bunch and gather.
And now I have to agree with Mrs. T that the tops under the jacket are just a bit much. The pants and the jacket are too tailored to have all of those sleeves protruding below the rolled-up (or rolled-up looking) jacket sleeves. For me, one simple top in a comfortable weight for the weather would have better completed the outfit.
I love seeing them together!!! And I love all of the things they do for children. We're blessed to have them.
I love the look. It is clean and crisp and a nice change from the dresses. Love the way Mrs. O mixes things up. You never know what to expect.
Mrs.T!?!? Whats with the outfit bashing? Aren't you guys suppose to stay as objective as possible when it comes to her clothing choices, and just report? You give this a thumbs down and say the purple pattern and blue is too much, but you didn't give an opinion when she walked out with that extra colorful flower power outfit at Westminster Abbey? The color mix here wasn't nearly as jarring as it was on that day. Interesting.
Well, anyway I actually thought this outfit was ok. Not a huge hit but simple enough. I like the way her Zero + Maria Cornejo jacket looks with a more casual pant. She could have perhaps rolled the sleeves down, so we only see the jacket sleeves, but she looks cute anyways.
I also like the style and fit of her pants. This is a great look for her. I hope she will stay with this look.
I really love this ensemble! The colours are beautiful and her trousers look well cut.
Anyone else think that Michell might be a bit colorblind?
Some of her combinations set my teeth on edge.
I really like the pants. The color and fabric are great.
The pants look amazing on her and the jacket is a great fit. Let's give some props to POTUS who looks great with his shirt sweater combo.
I saw it and immediately loved it. I love the scrunched up arms of the shirt under the jacket. It looks fun and relaxed without looking sloppy. I adore this.
The trousers look terrific on her - - they fit so well if I were her I'd get at least a few pair in different colours. I really like the jacket and even the belt doesn't look out of place, as it does in some of her outfits. The colour of the jacket looks really nice with the trousers however I agree with another reader that thought a turtleneck sweater under the jacket might have looked a little sleeker and even bit a bit warmer, if the purpose of all the layers was to keep warm on a cool night.
The outfit is something we could all put together from FLOTUS' closet, if given the chance. I agree w/boazwife, the getty image shows the actual colors better. The pants are grey which matches the grey in the Jason Wu(??) sweater, the purple/blue in the sweater picks up the blue Zero + Maria Cornejo jacket,blue belt(of course) and all matching POTUS' grey sweater and blue shirt. Excellent! I love the look, showing us what we all can do w/separate pieces. Love your site and check it first thing every morning! gmcww
I love the trousers! Great fit, i.e. flat front.
Thank you Mrs. T for showing us how to be honest and objective without being disloyal to Mrs. O. I hope more posters learn from your example and follow suit (pun not intended) when expressing their opinion of an outfit. Yes, we can love the person and dislike the outfit. BTW, I love Mrs. O's pants, and I love POTUS's casual look. But I agree that FLOTUS's layering is a bit much in this ensemble.
I looked at the other photo boazwife referenced on Getty Images and the pants look more gray than they appear here, so the outfit looks more "matched" to the shirt than in this picture.
The belt is cute : it's thin and it's in the same color family as the jacket so it doesn't "slice" her. The perfect hourglass!
Mrs. T, did you just want to spark a lot of comments for some reason, because I was REALLY surprised when you wrote that this outfit wasn't working for you. Very unlike you usual posts!
It's fall. It's about time to layer! I think it looks great!
I too, am surprised at the negative reaction to this outfit. I really like it. It is basic, but has just the right touch of flair, and is totally appropriate for the event. She looks lovely.
I love this look. Love the fit of the pants. As an individual with a lower body shape like that of Mrs. O, I usually have problems finding pants to fit like this. This shape creates balance with the upper half. I like the layered look on her.
Clearly, the cardigans worn here are cashmere or some light knit so they do not appear to create any bulk (which would have been uncomfortable) below the fitted jacket.
AND, as some of you have stated, she is at home and she is with children and one does want to appear too "stuffy" with the young ones. Being at the White House would have been overwhelming enough. All in all the look suits the occasion.
Mrs. T. this is the one time you're not enthusiastic about her outfit and this is the one time I have to disagree with you. I think she looks lovely. Great ensemble. Great colors and textures. It was a "brisk 54 degrees"' out last night and I guess she didn't want to wear a jacket so decided to layer up. I think it looks fun and sporty and works well for this occasion with the kids. She and her husband complement each other (as usual).
I love this look! What makes Michelle Obama so compelling and breathtaking is the beauty she exudes from within. She is a bright, confident, and content woman -in this picture she radiates these qualities! If anyone can get away with layering purple on blue, it's our First Lady.
I think to focus too much on the clothes themselves is to miss the point. We don't care so much for them, it's the woman in them who makes them even relevant!
Mrs-o.org -I'm a little surprised, and disappointed, by your miscalculation!
I guess fashion is really subjective because I am surprised at the number of people who like this outfit or claim to. I don't think there is anything wrong with layering if done right. Here, the ensemble just looks messy and like someone said seems like it would be uncomfortable. What is cute about rolling jacket sleeves to show the lining??? Lining was never meant to be showed unless it is a two sided jacket and this isn't.
To me, it looks like it's laundry day and she pulled out the only clean things in her closet. I am surprised that Mrs. T said she didn't like this outfit though. I have seen worse and she still gave them a positive spin. So I was curious to see what she would say about this one when I saw it on Yahoo. :)=
I love this ensemble and POTUS's Cliff Huxtable sweater. The O's reminds of a modern day Dr. & Mrs. Huxtable (Bill Cosby show) LOL. They are truly a dream come true for all Americans, but especially for those of African descent!
Call me crazy but I think she looked great! And her husband didn't look too bad either.......HA! ;-)
She looks fine to me. I mean it's family science night, I was'nt expecting anything other than a coat and maybe jeans. The focus is not on the fashion for me but what a wonderful and fabulous idea it was to have science night at the WhiteHouse.
Overall, I like the look. I don't mind the layering, but I must admit I had to take a double look at the colors. The more I look at it, the more I am ok with it.
IVA, the event was nice. I was laughing at how long both the POTUS and the FLOTUS stared into the telescope. And FLOTUS really had a hard time and she was asking POTUS when am i going to see it. Too funny and too cute.
I think the cardigan is the lavender argyle from J Crew that she wore to a school in the spring.
Well, if unintended, we've found a way to bring out the positive comments! Thanks everyone for the comments and different points of view.