A Festive Frock
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 11:15 AM 
Image by Saul Loeb / Getty Images
First Lady Mrs. O hosted her first of many upcoming holiday events at the White House today, speaking alongside members of the US Marine Corps and representatives from Toys for Tots. The focus of today's event was to thank the volunteers who decorated the White House for the Christmas holidays. Preparations for the decorations began this summer, culminating in a volunteer effort by 92 people from 24 states who spent more than 3400 hours decorating the White House. Read more detail here.
Mrs. O chose a teal silk matelasse dress for the event, accessorizing with small drop earrings and her hair pulled into a chignon.
UPDATE: First Lady Mrs. O wears a dress by Michael Kors. We love!
Of note, Simon Doonan of Barney's is spearheading holiday decorations at the White House this year. We can't wait to see what they entail! Click here for further reading on the collaboration.
To hear the first lady's remarks from today's event:
Michael Kors
Reader Comments (36)
Beeeeee-----uuuuuuuu-----tiiiiiii-----fuuuuulllll!
What a great color for her - it harkens back to the DNC shade.
The chignon is the 'do of the season.
i love the color of the dress.
@ Georgia - I agree. This is totally her new do. She's not about to cut her hair, but she clearly wants to go short. I like it a lot too.
And this is a beautiful simple dress, amazing color for her of course.
I LIKE THE FLOTUS DRESS VERY MUCH, BUT I AM GETTING A LITTLE TIRED OF THE HAIR.
THE TREE LIGHTING TOMORROW SHOULD BE VERY NICE.
We grew up poor and my mother had one "good" silk dress she went out to the occassional dinner or show in. It was almost the same as this! Same color, same cut. Every time I saw it I thought of elegance as the smell of perfume wafted through the apartment and a little white "fur" stole was gently wrapped around my mother's shoulders. I wanted to grow up and wear an elegant turquoise dress, high heels and go out to eat! Seeing this dress brings back some really fond childhood memories!
Michelle Obama never seems to disappoint, she's an absolute stunner!!! I think I'm obsessed with her.
This turquoise/teal color is reminiscent of the Maria Pinto dress that FLOTUS wore and wore well. I think this color looks really good on her. Our Michelle wears a sheath dress like none other. The color is something that we've debated on, whether it is a "winter color" or not. That old rule of thumb seems to be something that designers are getting away from and rightfully so. I think this works on her and looks festive even though it's not the usual or standard holiday colors.
When you get a chance, check out GettyImages...The White House pictures are up and they are adorable!
I t looks ok from here. Wish I could find full-view pics.
Nice and bright dress color, the up do is getting abit old.
I watched it on the livestream and the dress looked way greener. It also has a cute little bow on the right side of her waist. (same color and fabric).
I am cool with the hairdo because it gets like that sometimes. You just don't feel like having hair touch your neck, but you don't want to cut it. So, to solve this problem you put it up. I get it and I like it!!
Btw, I didn't get to see the shoes and have not seen a pic of them either.
The first time I fell in love with the first lady was in the campaigning days when she wore the Maria Pinto dress to the DNC. Being British, I wasn't (at the time) big into the whole American election thing but I remember being completely wow'ed by the dress which immediately piped my interest in wanting to see more of this lady and here I am now.
Every time that the first lady wears a sheath dress, he hits a home run. She was made for these types of dresses. She has lovely toned arms to show them off in, long lean limbs, perfect little waist, flat belly, nice pert little derriere (no disrespect intended).
So naturally for me this dress is perfect in every way, from the colour to the cut to the shape. First class !! Love it.
Canyongal, I loved your childhood memories of your mummy. How sweet.
OH MY GAH SHE'S SLEEVELESS IN DECEMBER THE HORROR THE HORROR
:-)
I like the updos. I still maintain she's trying to grow it out, though that's a total guess.
LOVE HER DRESS BUT SHE COULD DO BETTER WITH HER HAIR MAYBE GET SHORT ITS LOOK LIKE SHE LIKES WEARRING HER BACK. AND MRS O IN INSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE SO AM SURE THEY PUT HEAT TO KEEP THE HOUSE WEARM MR O DOES NOT LIKE THE COLD BECOUSE HE FROM A HOT PLACE MRS O WILL SHE LIKE BROTH. CANT WEIT TO SEE WEAR THE FAMILY IS GOING FOR CHISTMAS I UNDERSTAND THAT THE PRESIDENT CAN NOT GO TO FOR AWAY FROM HIS STATE I GUESS THAT WEAR THE PRESIDENT GOES EVERY YEAR HE CANT GO ANY MORE. MAYBE HIS FAMILY CAN GO.
CHRISTMAS WITH THE OBAMA'S
Oh, the anticipation of these next couple of weeks!
We might as well all be tied to our computers y'know, with Mrs.O hosting a reported 28 events in as many days. That's 28 outfits - if we DO get to see them all. And, even though they may be something "old" or something "new" the thrill of seeing the Obama's celebrate their very first White House Christmas, is enough to keep us guessing.
I love the fact that Mrs.O can be so unassuming and that's just what the colour of this dress is. Love it! Looking forward to seeing what Simon Doonan of Barney's & Mrs.O pull out of their hats...
I wish the outfit had sleeves this dress look odd with out them to me...I sure she had it changed for this occasion. But, come on Michelle it's freaking winter please start wearing more dresses with sleeves on them at this point. Other then that I love the color of the dress...
This Lady is nothing but stunningly beautiful, with her hair swept up and her arms exposed in December, take a look at this close up.
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/93553622
She is a healthy young sophisticated woman, why would she need sleeves other than to needlessly hide her arms?
You know at first I had the same reaction to the sleeveless in the winter last year. I readily admit it is because of my generation as I am in my 50's. But one of reasons I am on this website is to learn from her and all of you and I must say, I like the sleeveless and I think it is ok and in fact is her signature look. In the same way that Jackie had her day time look too which at the time was controversial as it was very simple albeit done with wonderful fabrics.I think it must be very freeing for Mrs O and very appropriate. See I can learn! Shelly
Lovely! Very festive on her.
Thanks for the info on the WH trees Mrs. T! Did she do a walk through of the WH Christmas decorations today? I hope I didn't miss it.
I love every thing about this picture of the first lady. She looks stunning. Her hair is beautiful and the color of the dress lights up her face. I really like the makeup and her presentation is right on target as usual. She is warm and inviting throughout her remarks.She is a strong and amazing woman!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anybody have an idea if Mrs O will be in Oslo with the President to accept the peace prize?
She looks fantastic!
Regarding her hair, as an African-American woman, I know the importance of "resting" your hair every now and then. She has so many outings and she always has to do her hair. To much heat is not good for the hair. She's probably just giving it a break.
Please tell me about her earrings! I love them!
There are a number of photos of the White House Christmas decorations here:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1232765/Im-dreaming-White-House-Christmas-Michelle-Obama-shows-spectacular-decorations.html
Personally if my body looked THAT good especially if I worked out hard in the gym to achieve it then TRUST I would be showing it off and parading it as much as possible. I think Michelle looks fantastic and I for one cannot get enough of those toned shiny arms. She is an inspiration to all 40 plus women who use age as an excuse to let themselves go. I'm over 40 and always tried to maintain my weight and look after my health but Michelle has inspired me to up my game, even during the holiday season when parties and excess is in full swing.
Thanks BeeGee....
the photo's are wonderful!
Sometimes you need sleeveless indoors in the winter - the heat in the buildings can be overwhelming. It's a nice contrast to being all bundled up - but do have a backup cardigan or jacket nearby if it gets chilly.
hair looks great and her smile is terrific.
nice dress color too
I think this dress is great...love the embossing and the color. Just wish she had added one of her fabulous brooches! I think her hair looks terrific in this style, and for those who think a short hairstyle would be fine, just look back at some of the older pics where her hair is short (2007 and before), and you'll see that it's not a good look for her.
Re the temperature in the White House, after they first moved in the president's aides were complaining that he liked to work in shirtsleeves so kept the temperature in the low 80s. Perhaps that explains sleevelessness in December?
I saw a full length photo of the dress. A good look she should repeat: A draped, rather fitted midriff above a slightly A-line skirt.
@StrongForu.
Here is a full view picture of the dress that was posted more recently by marabout40
Love this dress even more after seeing the full-length pic. It's so well-fitted, and the side bow sets it off perfectly. The gold heels, bangles and earrings look fabulous with the dress....overall, a great holiday look!
I love the dress, her hair is ok, the speech was great.
I just wanted to say thank you for posting the video of her speech. On so many of these posts, I always wish that I knew what she was doing at the events to which she wears her fabulous clothes. I'd love to see more information about these activities!