Wednesday
Nov042009
First Sweetheart
Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at 9:42 PM 
Photo by Tim Sloan / Getty Images
President and First Lady O are hosting an event to celebrate classical music in the East Room of the White House this evening. We love the flattering sweetheart neckline on Mrs. O's white sheath, and the "acres of gold bangles" add just the right touch of glimmer.
Update: The fabulous Danielle Datu, an Assistant Editor for mystyle, has pointed us to this double face wool sheath dress from Talbots. And indeed, we've confirmed with Talbots that it's their design.
tagged Talbots
Talbots
Reader Comments (68)
SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL!
Oh....and I was watching the live stream... and the dress was looking so much better (she had a shawl as well that she was wearing while sitting). Thanks Mrs. T...you are the best!
LOVE THE DRESS I HAVE THE SAME THING BUT I WEAR BLACK PUMPS WITH THEM THERE KIDS WAS THERE TO.
GORGEOUS! dress and what a beautiful figure Love the neckline...I never knew that style was called sweetheart! One more reason why I love this blog...it gives me fashion vocabulary to identify/understand clothes I want for myself!
denisegirl posted a pic of the back of the dress, wow!
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Michelle-Obama/ss/events/pl/050108michelleobama#photoViewer=/091105/480/133aee49c62547f7a8dd9c6f4b44b967
Gosh they're SUCH a great couple! Perfect for each other! they both are lucky to have another as their significant other!
Lovely, this is a great look for her!
Gorgeous, the President looks quite tired, he has so many things to worry about. Wish them both good health and a long life.
I love a lot of what Michelle wears but the dresses do it for me every time. She is lean, tall and fit and clearly has the figure to pull off these sheath dresses rather than having to suck in the gut (the way I have to, sometimes). My favourite Michelle outfits tend to be dresses. She pulls them off well. I love this clean look. Love it. I think silver shoes and accessories would have made it "pop" but I like the ensemble all the same.
I hope Mr President uses the Classical music night to unwind. He has been looking weary lately but who can blame him. He's got an awful lot on his plate.
perfect!
WOW
the silhouette, the color, the fit....she looks devine
Beautiful. Utterly beautiful. Nice to see the two of them heading off for another "date". They always look they're off on a date to me! Hand in hand, smiling quietly, having a little chat, I just love it.
Superb!
Nice dress.
PERFECTION!!!!!!!!!
This "winter white" look is wonderful, and the dress fits her like a glove.
Huff Post has interview with Narciso Rodriguez with his comments about Michelle Obama, her bold selection of his red/black sleeveless dress worn election night Nov 2008 and other reflections...
Narciso Rodriguez interview
Hold the phone, the dress looks wonderful and fits beautifiully, but can we talk a minute about the french twist. I absolutely love the look. I wonder how J. Knight got it to stay in the folds like that. It doesn't look pinned at all at the top. Also love the morning look and would love to know if the draping on the back of the dress has a name (like ruching). And about the back of the dress for the evening look, does that have a name also?
Timeless elegance - she has such a great sense of how to pair classics and fashion forward items. Wonderful site, congrats on the book!
http://www.IGetaFever.com
Hey ladies!
Did anyone catch the tribute to Bill Cosby? It was held at the Kennedy Center and he received the Mark Twain award for humor. I ask because Mrs. Obama was there!! She was accompanied by her mom. Mrs. Obama and her mother both looked fabulous! :-) Mrs. Obama's dress was fantastic but I don't know who the designer is.
Toni
I love her in these sheath dressess.. and love her use of the bangles with this..
White after Labor Day - love it!
They sure don't make First Ladies like they used to because this one is ON FIRE...SMOKIN' !!! She looks amazing and her date is pretty dapper....both are just lovely.
I like it even better from the back. Check out the photo of her sitting next to Mr O in the set of photos found here:
http://www.thestate.com/entertainment-wire/story/1013281.html
Is that a Diane von Furstenberg dress? I swear I tried on something similar a few weeks ago.
@jestina,
I'm with you on this one. I used to be upset at people who complained about the belt and one of my responses created an unintended fire storm!! so I just stopped. Folks fuss about the belts and they are not going to stop. Perhaps they are hoping that Michelle herself or one of her staff will sneak a peek and get the message. I'm sure someone does but after a particularly vicious belt spat here, MO wore the ugliest belt I've ever seen with her next out fit. I almost passed out laughing. Seriously though, I don't know if anyone in the East Wing reads our posts.
There have been those who have used the belt to post their personal dislike for Mrs. O., which I find distasteful but I now leave them alone because it changes nothing. I also think that some will just do it to start something and I for one am no longer biting. Besides Mrs. T is good at stopping or deleting comments that are insulting to the First Lady.
Women get so pissed off about these things and the segment deteriorates into a nasty cat fight. We have lost some serious fashionistas with expert opinions because of the sniping (they may have changed their pseudonyms or be just lurking) I for one don't always like the belts but I LOVE her so I can overlook any fashion faux pas and don't have a problem with anyone expressing their dislike of a particular outfit if they can give a valid fashion reason why they don't. Ellen at 5:58 AM clearly states why she doesn't think it works. As someone else who doesn't like the belt emphatically said, this is a fashion blog, then this blogger proceeded to insult a fellow blogger. I completely agree that this is a 'fashion' blog but it is not a 'I hate her and her belt' blog either....and this will be my last word on the matter.
@ Mimi
From your post here I am inclined to think that you CANNOT do two things (multitask) at the same time. The idea that people who come to this site ONLY focus on Flotus is surely far from the truth. The focus is very much on Potus BUT "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy". Is your life so single faceted that all you can do is torture yourself by visiting a site that you clearly abhor? Then STOP and focus on the presidency. Look at how he is progressing and also look at how he is being undermined from several quarters and DO something , seeing that you voted for him. I certainly didn't but that is ONLY because I live in the Caribbean. I wish we had his leadership.
As for Flotus, she is a ray of hope in so many lives in and out of America.
Maybe I never did, but I wish to take this opportunity to thank Mary Tomer for an excellent blog. It's the only one that I follow. AND I ordered the book. I am waiting excitedly for it.
Mrs. O looks as gorgeous as usual. She has inspired me to lose the few pounds that I need to and encourage my fiance to get healthy so that we can have a long, happy and healthy life together.
@mimi you are not reading correctly, luv, we hate the belts, whose gush-gush-gushing??? Are you familiar with the internet, this is one little blog about 'his wife' and her clothes. Do a google search and you will find what millions of others are saying about the president, the war, unemployment etc. My husband is in Afghanistan, I lost my job 2 months ago AND I am 8 months pregnant AND I am living with my in-laws, now what did you say your situation was again? I come here for a few moments of relief and to read complaints about the belts LOL. One more suggestion, find a new friend! Oh, and I am happy I voted for 'him'.
I flew to the Talbots website and ordered this dress - but in sapphire blue. I would love to wear Pinto and Kors, but my financial priorities are in another direction. This is a great and similar look, at $200.
I'm a devoted Talbots customer but had grown weary of their traditional look. Their new leadership has been a great boon, and I especially love their sheath dresses this year. They fit like a glove - at least on this body.
I think I'll wear a big, honking belt with it - something in a nice magenta patent with studs and a skull.
@dasie and trinisamba, thanks for the support of the blog. I deleted Mimi's comment as it was negative, off-topic commentary.
@operafanatic, will you let us know how the dress looks in person?
I LOVE the sheaths!!! I've always heard that when you've got it, you should flaunt it. :-) And her sheath dresses definitely flaunt the results of all those early-morning workouts! I'd love to have those arms and legs (okay, not enough to go to the gym every morning at 5! :-). Beautiful look! And I agree that her "date" always looks great as well.
LOVELY
OK...on the belts: FLOTUS is short waisted but her small waist is a great feature...she seems to want to accent the tiny waist with her belts--- but when she goes crazy with wide ones they look like she is wearing them right under her bust---not a great look. If she would just stick with belts that are no more than about 2 " wide, I would disband my "Lose the Belts" campaign....I wish she would read this blog (or maybe Ikram should)...so I'll add that FLOTUS should check out the jewelry available at the Smithsonian museums gift shops---she could wear some and give a plug to the money-making feature of th
ese marvelous (and free) national museums.
THE FIRST LADY LOOK GREAT THE PRESIDENT LOOK WORN OUT .
Will do, Mrs T! The dress is due to arrive 11/13.
"Acres of bangles" IS a good description, isn't it Mrs. T.
Seems that the Talbots site is overwhelmed by a surge in traffic! They really seem to have freshened up their clothing line in the last few years. (Their orange print she wore to Norfolk port is one of my faves)
Huffington Post has two AP write-ups on the day's events.
Washington Post's classical music critic's "review" was so snobby (and cliche) that I laughed out loud! I could imagine a comedy "critic" reading the review using a very bad fake Brit accent.
@desertwind, yes I love that description! So colorful.
I updated the Talbots link, which seems to be working again!
Fierce dress - love the fit - this is Michelle at her best !
The model on one of the views (blue dress) resembles Malia!
My first post - just to say that I'm enjoying the site, the photos and the commentary. Also expanding my fashion vocabulary! On that subject, what does 'double face wool' mean? Thanks.
cannot stop laughing at operafanatic's big honking patent magenta skulled belt comment. hahahaha
also, dasie, stick in there love you for you response :-)
@operafanatic - can you describe the sizing at Talbots? For example, would you say they "fit big" or similar to Ann Taylor, or JCrew? I'm getting a turtleneck and 3/4 length-sleeve sheath from them. I love the style and colors.
There goes Mrs. O helping to stimulate the economy!
@ English Observer, I have been looking for a formal definition to reference, but I believe it's a two-ply wool fabric, that has the same finish on both sides.
Sounds cute to me OpFan and I am sure you will get many compliments on your belt. HA!
When I saw her walk through the doors, I instantly smiled. She looked stunning and then I noticed the Pres and he looked handsome as usual.
I wish they would have taken some pics with the shawl around her, she looked even better. I don't know what color the shoes look on this pic, but on the livestream they looked bronze to me. Does anyone else think the same or differently?
The girls looked adorable as well. And Grandma!!
"I think I'll wear a big, honking belt with it - something in a nice magenta patent with studs and a skull." OpFan, I nearly laughed my ass off. Hehehehehe....
I generally hate Talbot's and even though I'm of a certain age I refuse to shop there.
That begin said.
Mrs. Obama looked amazing in that dress. It fit her perfectly.
Thanks, Mrs.T.! Much appreciated.
After this "no-no" http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//091105/480/9174931635fc4cf28f2c31e310935fb2/#photoViewer=/091102/ids_photos_ts/r3196441282.jpg
this white dress is a "win-win"!
Thanks, Nyon and Posh, for laughing along with me regarding the belt. As much attention as MO gets with her accessories, I thought it was a bold stroke to leave this dress completely unadorned. It looks like it has interesting seam detail, and deserves to stand on its own. Her shoes do seem to have a sheen to them - I'm betting on some sort of metallic.
IVA: I think Talbots is pretty true to size, but I've been wearing their clothes for so long that they are kind of my standard. I'm usually a 6 or 8, but have found the 6 sheaths usually are perfect for me. If I were starting out like you, I'd order 2 sizes to start with. Whichever one doesn't work can be returned, and if you live close to a Talbots store, you can return it there. They are great about that. If you must return it by mail, go to their website and click on returns. It's a simple process and not expensive. (I think it may be cheaper to print out the UPS paperwork on Talbots's website, rather than at a UPS outlet - but I'm not entirely sure.)
Monica: I hear you, but I think you would be surprised at Talbots these days.
This is a little off-topic, but there isn't much of a way to ask "open thread" questions, so I'm just gonna' jump in here <G>
Does anybody remember, a LONG time ago, possibly as long as between the election and Inauguration, there was some private club dinner, very exclusive and haute-toney I think, and a big deal was being made about no pictures.
There was only one picture I ever saw of the beautiful scarlet satin dress she was wearing, FROM THE BACK! I've never seen it in any of the fashion-watch collections I've run across, and it looked REALLY interesting. All you could really see was the full length of the center back, with wide criss-cross lacing (about 3 X's worth) on the bodice, maybe 10 inches?? from waist to the top edge, and the lacing looked to be wide, maybe an 8-inch space?; then her bare back above. And skirt full length below.
Looked like she was going up a step or two and through a very narrow door. Couldn't see if there were any straps or shoulder construction at the sides, because the strip you could see was so narrow.
Anybody else remember that? And/or know of any other pictures, a designer, anything?