Friday
Dec252009
Merry Christmas
Friday, December 25, 2009 at 10:18 PM 
Image by Hugh Gentry / Reuters
The president and first lady made an appearance at a Marine Corps Base in Hawaii today, where they spent the afternoon with 100 Marines, military members and their families. Mrs. O wore a white cotton silk sundress by Narciso Rodriguez (last seen in Rome), accessorized with hoop earrings and bangles.
Merry Christmas Mrs-O.org readers!
tagged Narciso Rodriguez
Narciso Rodriguez
Reader Comments (111)
Thanks for the new photo Mrs. T!
Merry Christmas and I hope it was a good one for you and yours!
She indeed looks island chic, but...the handsome man she's with looks like he needs help putting together a casual wardrobe; this isn't the first time his casual clothes have been, let's say, UN-CHIC.
Yay, I got THE book for Christmas, I'm going to dive into it now.
I'm changing my name to julieDe since there seems to be another 'julie' also posting
Mrs. O is wearing those FAB sandals again o-o-o-o-h
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/95317272
I love the summer dress Michelle has on perfect for Hawaii weather and it's a nice vacation dress. With that said, I don't think she should have worn something so sheer and short to visit the troops. Wearing a dress like that is nice when just hanging with the family or walking along the beach but I think she should have chosen something a little more conservative in style. However Michelle seems to be very comfortable in her skin and does not strike me in the least as someone who worries, what others will think of her clothing choices.
What a delight and how wonderful to have such a tireless, selfless and dedicated President and First Lady; Even on a much needed vacation they still make time...
And she looks simply ravishing...
Compliments of the season everyone!
When was the last time we saw Mrs. O's hair down? Anybody know why?
I like Mrs. O hair and the dress is chic. I'm very proud of our Troops and of our First Family.
I
I think this white sundress is a "miss" for Mrs. O. It's not at all flattering. Too short and short waist is not attractive. It's too plain.
I agree, Mr. O. needs some satorial guidance. A great color polo would work wonders. Frankly, he looks like a drip.
Love this dress on Mrs. O!!
I know this is an old photo, but this is a beautiful black and white close up of Mrs. O
http://anythingurban.typepad.com/.a/6a011278db110528a40115706048c4970c-pi GORGEOUS!!!!
Not a good look. It seems to be hiked up in the front, making her look a bit preggers. And the sheerness with legs showing through is not good.
I worked in Hawaii for a long time. People there do not wear sundresses and muumuus all the time. It's only 70something there right now. Not hot. I believe she could have kicked it up a notch.
Too sheer, too short and a tad too tight on top. Maybe it would have been best if the underlay in the front was the same length as the dress itself.
As for her hair, she is probably resting it between relaxers to avoid putting added stress on it. We AA women need a break for haristyling products and heat from time to time to acoid breakage.
I really like this dress on the First Lady. It looks very comfortable, light and airy. I also hope everyone enjoyed the Christmas holiday with their families.
I appreciate that POTUS and FLOTUS, while being on vacation, took time to raech out to military families. I'm sure it meant a lot to them, as you can tell by the looks on their faces. I like this white sun dress that Our Michelle is wearing and it looks like a breezy sort of dress you'd want for a Hawaiian vacation. As for Mr. Michelle (smile), I am totally, unabashedly biased. I think he ALWAYS looks good....hey, sue me !! LOL
@Anne
"When was the last time we saw Mrs. O's hair down? Anybody know why?"
It's been ages, it seems! Maybe the updo leads to less damage from overprocessing, or it's just a faster style to put together?
I think this dress was enhanced by the pretty brooch that she wore in Rome. But, I am biased - I love that brooch a LOT. It's one of my fave pieces of hers. The dress by itself feels like its missing a little something.
I always have trouble judging her fashion during moments like this one when it is pretty clear that this is not just a photo op for her or Mr. O. It's one of those moments where you can tell she wants to convey a realness - a down home, normal feel of just stopping by and thanking the troops.
A lovely picture of a lovely couple.
BOOK,
MRS O'S BOOK, THE FACE OF FASHION DEMOCRACY -
SO HAPPY, GOT MY BOOK LAST NIGHT FROM MY SON. IT TOOK 4 DAYS.
I'M SOOOOOOOOOOOO HAPPY, IT MAKES ME FEEL EVEN MORE A PART
OF THIS BLOG THAN EVER BFORE. JUST FLIPPED THROUGH THE PAGES
MRS. T, GREAT WORK, I LOVE IT - I'M LOOKING FOR PART 2 (SMILE)
IT'S IN MY OBAMA'S MUSEUM - MY FRIENDS ARE ENJOYING IT AS WELL.
WISHING ALL OF Y O U, AND THOSE CLOSEST AND DEAREST TO YOUR
HEART, ALL THE GOOD THINGS OF LIFE AND GOD'S BLESSINGS ALWAYS. L
I imagine her hair has already experienced damage, which isn't surprising given what looks to have been a year plus of constant heat styling. She looks like she has had it cut (probably trimmed damaged ends) and is now wearing it up to give it a rest. I hope she will protect her hair's health and not worry about wearing it down/straight to appease anyone who thinks that it is necessary to look good.
Michelle and Rahni said last year that she has not had a relaxer in over 10 years, and the girls do NOT get relaxers, so her wearing her hair up has NOTHING to do with relaxers, she was just trying out something new. It is ALWAYS good to try new hairstyles, and yes she wore her hair down at the end of last month(Craig's game). Also, I love this dress on her, I wish I could find a cheaper version of this dress, and its VACATION not a runway, so no she does NOT need to "step it up a notch." Continue to do you First Lady!!
Correction it was Johny Wright who said she does not have a relaxer. http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/mirrorimage/Michelle_Obama_Does_Not_Have_a_Perm_.html
Mrs.O looks really relaxed and that she should be. After all she is on vacation IN HAWAII. Why should she "step things up a notch"? One must realise that Flotus does as she pleases, rightfully so.There is absolutely no reason for her to be stiff and starchy UGH!!! One of the reasons that she is so endearing to most people is the fact that her clothes she wears do not leave her as intimidating to others. She is REAL!!
She is appropriately dressed, no decolletage.So what?!
While applauding the generous efforts of POTUS and FLOTUS in getting out and meeting families in the armed services especially, and to the extent that they would even do this on Christmas Day, I am dismayed that FLOTUS chose to wear this particular dress. I agree with comments above that it is not at all flattering, but I am most concerned that it was not appropriate for the occasion. It seems like a beach cover-up, something that might have had a bathing suit beneath it.
On this, and on many occasions in the past (and even as I might otherwise be entirely intrigued by the outfit being worn on its own merits), I've also been overwhelmingly aware that FLOTUS is showing more skin than the great majority of people with whom she is commingling. Considering the extraordinary range of people she meets with and makes an impression on, I truly do wonder about all that skin, no matter how lovely it might be in a purely aesthetic sense. As another writer aptly put it, and I paraphrase, "People in Hawaii don't dress like this." I think there is much worth considering in that statement.
POTUS would look great (and does) in any shirt, casual or not, with a standing collar. He is so tall and so slender that polo collars droop even more than they do on someone with a heavier frame. Net effect is that his whole aspect droops. Ditch the droopy pants, too. He is slim enough to forgo the pleats, or faux pleats, whatever they are! I feel a bit silly making these comments. He is POTUS, after all, and with lots more on his mind than sartorial presentation. And he is surely modest in his own attire. Even so, I would have liked to see him wear a casual sport jacket for the occasion of visiting the troops on Christmas. It just would have seemed ... better.
She does not have to step it up a notch. That's not the point. The dress does not look good on her. We all make mistakes, and I appreciate that she can do whatever she wants. Sometimes the high waist thing looks good -- here it makes her look like Mary, Mary Quite Contrary. The dress is just too short -- it really has no interest to it.
The fit of this dress is funny.......high waisted and tight. Otherwise, it seems like a good
Hawaiian outfit. You would see this type of dress in the Islands. Maybe next we will see a pretty
Hawaiian print which will cause a run on Hawaiian clothing. That would help the shops there,
which as I understand, are hurting.
Char
one view of the back of the dress
Well. The dress is too casual for the ocasion; she is at a function as the First Lady, not a vacationer. She should have dressed a littler more formally in my opinion.
@ nona
I agree with you that Mrs O's hair may have already experienced some limited damage from all the heat styling. Based in part on what I do professionally and in part as an AA woman of my own hair sagas and those of female family and friends, as I have watched Mrs. O and seen numerous close up photos of her over the last 18 months, months ago I was concerned about subtle progressive changes I was seeing with her hair despite the great care/styling she gets. Whether that observation is correct or not, I am happy to see that she is giving her hair some downtime with varying her hairstyle
mro dress is nice the frist time she wear this dress was in rome but she was flat this time she looked bolted it must be the good food she been eatting yesterday moring they worked out. but is didnt look like mrs o didnt do enought work out mr o looked the same. there ki ds are with there aunt .
Never saw anyone critique George Bush's clothes while he was on vacation and I especially didn't ever hear anyone confuse the role of President/Commander in chief with that of his SUBORDINATE military personnel as has been done so much recently.
Barack Obama in his capacity as President does not submit to the troops - the reverse is the case.
To suggest that the President and his wife have to submit to a particular dress code to show "respect" for military personnel eating lunch in a mess hall during a private surprise visit is nothing short of madness.
I have never seen or heard so much ridiculous crap in all my long life.
President and Mrs Obama went by to visit on their own private time, good fun was had by all - Its over and done with.
Michelle woulda, coulda, shoulda - It's done, yesterday's gone and she did exactly as she shoulda.
Mrs O is wearing her hair in a bun and it is usually called protective styling, especially during the winter months which can be harsh to the hair. Regarding the use of heat, I usually get a roller wrap set which saves your hair from direct heat such as the flat iron.
Needs to wear a Slip! Come on....
The photo of the back of her head, taken at the Toys for Tots event, was posted at HuffPost. It showed short hair in the back and on the top. Wisps. And the headline called the look "tousled". She's had some damage of some kind.
Here is her high school graduation photo:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2009-01/44480022.jpg
Here she is in Princeton cap and gown:
http://img.timeinc.net/time/photoessays/2009/michelle_hair/michelle_hair_02.jpg
She does something to straighten her hair.
Some of you ladies in here crack me up. The First Lady is on her V.A.C.A.T.I.O.N in H.A.W.A.I.I. Vacation in Hawaii.
It was wonderful of them to take time out on the first day of their vacation, on Christmas Day, to visit the marines and their families who very much appreciated the visit. Take a look at photos of the people in the hall. Do you see anybody dressed up? The President and First Lady are appropriate dressed for the occasion.
I know this blog is dedicated to follow the fashion of our young and stylish First Lady (and I'm a huge fan of the site), but perhaps it should also go on vacation when Mrs. O and her family are on vacation. You know what I mean? Just a thought.
Anyway, if you're interested, there's a report about the visit to the base in the Honolulu Adviser here: http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20091226/NEWS01/912260347/Obamas+visit+troops+at+Hawaii+base+s+Christmas+chow-down
I like this dress, but unfortunately I think some of the negative comments may have been influenced by the photograph itself. Unfortunately,at the moment the picture was taken FLOTUS was not standing completely straight. I think that might be making the torso appear shorter than it is. I could be totally wrong though. Anyway, it looks so nice and comfortable. perfect for the locale.
Appreciate the thoughts on the hairstyle. I like her hair "up", but was used to seeing much more variation in the past. Hadn't considered that an "updo" could mean healthy "downtime." Makes sense!
I think that because they are the first, unbelievably high and unatainable standards are placed on them that where never placed on other presidents and first family. I don't recall any past presidents having to give a line item detail of what they do on VACATION during Christmas in which former presidents took AWAY from the white house. I don't recall Nancy Regan being raked over coals for what she wore during her VACATION. This couple is damned if they do, damned if they don't. What other president in history spent CHRISTMAS DAY with the troops. NOT counting Thanksgiving. She looks GREAT!!! but we can't leave it at that and must find stupid things to pick on.
Mrs. O most definitely has a relaxer. While it may be a natural one that is not harsh in chemicals (called no lye straightener), it is still a "relaxing" product used to make AA straight. As an AA woman myself I can claim to go "natural" because I use a soy-based straightener but believe me and you it is still a relaxer; it is a question of semantics. Also, I have been to the salon in DC where Johnny Wright works, so from the way he styles hair and Mrs. O's hair texture, yes, she does wear a relaxer . (Not that she comes to the salon, but I've seen him do his clients hair with similar texture as Mrs. O. While I will agree that Mrs. O's daughters mostly have soft enough hair to get away with blow-drying (because of their mixed heritage) Mrs. O cannot. One more thing, if she did not have some kind of straightener in her hair that picture of her in the rain back in September would definitely look as it did. Non-straightened AA hair does not "drip wet"; it goes straight up and becomes an afro. See Picture at http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/90596199/Getty-Images-News
This is not to disparage Mrs. O in any way but to inform those who may not know about the finer points of Black hair.
What I like about Michelle's dress is how casual it is, how it seems to express "Barack and I are doing the family thing today and are enjoying a "day off" and we wanted to take time away from our family day to show you troops how important you are to us"
It feels like they are having a private event in just the other room and decided to stop in for a few.
I love it, very informal and personal.
Next thing you know people like the lovely Alyse will be out demanding the President and Mrs Obama vacuum their homes, make their beds and scoop up after their dogs...
Suddenly, for the first time in modern history and coincidentally since "Michelle's hubby" became president, there are those who now insist that this current office holder 'owes' them his every waking minute...
After all this time and 43 presidential terms later, including 8 years of uninterrupted extended pleasure vacations at Crawford,Texas with nary a whisper from the now vocal 'patriots';
And where once every U.S President automatically reigned supreme and the general citizenry knew their place in this long set and well-defined food chain;
Suddenly and conveniently, this President now becomes the "servant" in every sense of the word; entitled to no respect, no downtime and undeserving of even a simple thank-you even when it counts, because "it's his job" after all...?!
How peculiar too that these same people, the Alyse's of the world, who even as they alternately take for granted and demand every pound and ounce of President Obama's flesh and strength, every breath he takes and every bit of blood they can squeeze out of him, will begrudge him and his family even the most basic of perks associated with this highest of offices...
For the very first time in American history, we know how much it costs to protect and ferry the President and his family around and only because even though it never really mattered before, it's suddenly become a huge deal for those who incidentally demand thrice as much from this President but seek to drastically curtail the long available comforts of this extraordinary office designed to balance out the associated hardships while ensuring that its occupant thrives and succeeds for the general good of this great country...
Certainly can't win for losing-
The Obama's do, and it's dismissed as 'insufficient', 'a photo-op' or some minute, inconsequential bit is deliberately taken out of context, deigned ‘inappropriate' and beaten to death even as some scream 'over-exposure'...
They don't do, and they are accused of everything under the sun...
"30 minutes" out of a roughly 8 day working 'vacation' and after a jam packed and dizzying 11 months of an overactive, virile presidency in constant overdrive having inherited possibly the worst fiscal mess ever and the most unstable international environment in a technologically dangerous century...especially when they didn't have to...?!
I'd assert that that was pretty generous even if Alyse thinks it was "his job"...
This unflappable, brilliant and remarkable President and his amazing and very self-possessed wife do America a huge, huge favor...
You better believe it...
Thank you Audrey - you speak for many of us (and much more elegantly than I could manage).
Audrey, I ignore narrow-minded people like Alyse. What matters to me, the President and his lovely wife, is how much this visit matters to our troops and their families. The Alyses of America think it's the "least" the first couple could do, not having any clue what the first couple do every day for our troops and their families. President and Mrs. Obama don't just talk the talk, they walk the walk - more than any previous administration in memory.
In any event, the point I was trying to make in my original comment is that instead of spending all this time critiquing what Mrs. Obama was wearing, we should focus on where she was and why.
I love Michelle in the low bun she is wearing here. I think it is very flattering. I don't find this particular dress flattering at all, but so many of the things she wears look great, so I'll give her a vacation pass!
I hope they are having a great time on vacation. I know the President has been working hard during this time.
marabout40, I think this is a fashion site which is why people talk about Michelle's clothing choices here.
I love that we see repeat outfits. She's such a real gal! And being from Hawaii myself, it thrills me to see them there for the holidays and supporting our troops there. Where they stay is my favorite part of the island and I understand why the President would consider buying that house. I hope he does! What a beautiful example of family they are for the nation and the world. Mele Kalikimaka, Hau'oli makahiki hou!
@Audrey and @marabout40...
I agree with you both on your comments to Alyse's recent post regarding The Obamas visit to the troops while on vacation in Hawaii. Like most of you, ever since the inception of this blog I've come to enjoy most of the commentary, some funny, some insightful, some thought-provoking, some informative, some complementary, some educational, some appreciative, but ever so often we have to put up with some dumb comments, yes, like Alyse's, that comes straight out of left field and offer nothing but negativism, cynicism, lack of sophiscation, perception and knowledge. So the question to ask is "what's your point, Alyse?". You talk about what the President and First Lady should be doing for The Troops, the question you need to ask is what are YOU doing for The Troops? What kind of support do you offer these men and women in uniform? Afterall, they not only protect the President, they protect all of us. Why don't YOU tell us how YOU'VE supported these military families over this Holiday Season and throughout the year; maybe you can teach us all something. I don't think YOU did a darn thing, otherwise YOU'd be quick to blast it to all and sundry. So since The Obamas are an easy target, you choose to denigrate and ridicule their efforts to support and encourage The Troops. Before you jumped on this blog with your innane comments did you even take the time to look at the faces and reactions of The Troops in the mess hall? I don't think so, otherwise, you would notice a sense of mutual appreciation, joy and respect. But based on your comments, I wouldn't expect you to notice that because it would require a sense of sophistication and insight which your comments truly lack. There's an old saying which states "there's none so blind as those who would not see", and everything you've said so far fits it to a tee. What I do know for a fact is that both the President and First Lady are working hard to show public and private support of Our Troops for the sacrifices they continue to make to keep us safe. It's who they are as people, they believe in giving back to the community, always extending a helping hand and encouraging the rest of us to do the same. As someone with many relatives in the Military, I truly appreciate their efforts, and understand that the phrase "supporting the troops" means a lot more than just slapping a bumper sticker on our cars and feeling good about ourselves. It means a daily and constant outreach to these men and women, and their families, whether stationed here or deployed overseas. So Alyse, YOU can sit back in your armchair at home and wag your tongue criticizing everything the POTUS and FLOTUS do in support of The Troops, and yes, the rest of us. Only narrow-minded people llike yourself will get any juice out of nonsensical comments. The rest of us will continue to support them and hopefully take a page out of their book by showing more tangible support to these men and women in uniform (and yes, their families, too!) whose sacrifice goes unnoticed many times by many.
To the Obama Family, enjoy your down-time, get some much needed rest and relaxation before you have to return to the fishbowl of Washington. Heaven knows on your return you still have to deal with the mess of the economy which is just beginning to show some signs of initial recovery, health care reform, creating new jobs in a green economy, climate change, improving education infrastructure, financial reforms, the wars and domestic and international security. Ignore the "talking-heads" out there who seem to think that you have to appease their every whim and cater to their biases; you will never be able to please them. Continue to forge ahead to get things done, which is why you were elected after 8 years of incompetence, lack of oversight, and cronyism. We will continue to keep all of you in our daily prayers and thoughts, and may the Lord keep you all in his graces.
Oh, by the way, since this is a fashion blog...message to the POTUS and FLOTUS:
You both look calm, cool, and collected, exactly how I expect you to look while on vacation. It's the look that tells me you're comfortable in your own skin and at ease in any circumstance and environment. Flotus, you look very cool, crisp and comfortable in your white dress, which I find VERY appropriate for the location and occasion.
Here is a very clear photo of the front of this dress taken this summer during a dinner outing on Martha's Vineyard. It has some very nice details that provide a polished look.
http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2009/04/michelle_obama_slideshow.html#photo=86
The temperature in Hawaii was 81 degrees when they arrived and the forecast is more of the same all week. This dress was more than appropriate. From stories in the local Honolulu papers, it is easy to conclude that the soldiers and families were very excited about getting to meet them both on Christmas Day and on their arrival when they went over to the sizable group allowed in to shake hands and talk with them.
President Obama wore his Hawaii "dress" clothes. Same shirt he wore to visit with troops last Christmas and the same shirt he wore to services last year for his grandmother and to scatter her ashes into the ocean.
I love this. Merry Christmas and a happy new year to the Obamas.
I think that when people criticize Michelle's outfits, "lack of formality" seems to be at the top of the list of complaints. I'm not saying that's wrong or right -- "appropriately formal" is often in the eye of the beholder. It's just that I've noticed that "informality" or what is perceived as "inappropriateness" seems to be a common theme for complaints.
I think at this point, a year into her tenure as First Lady, it's probably safe to say that Michelle Obama's occasional informality in dress is not a bug, it's a feature. It's just the way she is. Not that anyone has to like it, but I feel like it's not something that's going to be "fixed." It's just a part of her.
Sharon,
Thank you for this clear, eloquent, and centering statement.