Friday
Feb062009
Mrs. O Wows at Kennedy Center
Friday, February 6, 2009 at 9:08 PM 
Photo credit: Yuri Gripas /AFP/Getty Images
The First Lady looks stunning tonight, wearing a two tone black dress in matte and metallic. At first glance, it may appear as though Mrs. O is wearing a cardigan over her dress. But with a second look, we realize it's an illusion, created by clever construction of contrasting fabrics. A knockout oversize pearl brooch at the shoulder makes this an ensemble for the fashion history books. We love! The First Couple is enjoying their Friday date night at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., where the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is performing. Additional images can be found at This Week with Barack Obama.
tagged Michelle Obama in Outfits
Michelle Obama in Outfits
Reader Comments (87)
god she looks fabulous.
They both look splendid. Love the textured look of that top/dress.
This picture is my favorite: http://www.daylife.com/photo/02Qp4Dp3CN7u0/michelle_obama
Her smile is absolutely radiant.
BEAU-TI-FUL!!!!
Aside from the Georgia Brown's look, this is her best First Lady outfit (post Inaugural, of course!)
the brooch is super! she doesn't seem to be wearing any bracelets.... definitely not overdoing it and letting the pearl pin be the definitive accessory.
As a big fan of brooches myself, I applaud this look! Love the dress, too... that "cardigan trim" (I agree, it looks affixed rather than a stand-alone cardigan), looks like it might be leather-like. The collar appears to be matte, like the 'cardigan', and her more dramatic makeup is just perfect.
I wonder if she reads this blog... it has become a key source of information on her looks, and it wouldn't surprise me if she did have someone check it and relay feedback, such as wanting a more colorful lip.
Either way, a stunning look tonight. Can't wait for Mrs. T to divulge who is behind it!
Just perfect- the hair, the dark red lipstick..
Says 1940s movie star to me.
The outfit is striking and unique but classic at the same time- are you sure the cardigan is not a separate?
Yes Ruby it's a dress «sans manche» sleeveless and under a black turtleneck sweater. I'm sure. Very good construction. She's beautiful tonight
The make-up is fabulous, wow, she looks so radiant!
Yes, she looks absolutely beautiful. When I first saw the outfit I thought to myself that it looked kind of familiar. Then I remembered that I had seen her wear that same outfit or something very similar to it to a funeral of a friend a few months ago. Here's a photo of the two of them arriving at the funeral.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/28/obama-attends-funeral-for_n_147038.html
Here's a better photo of their arrival.
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0eEvgJxdiZ9Fq
Her grooming, always excellent, has ratcheted up a notch to impeccable!
The President and First Lady look fabulous.
Michelle looks gorgeous.
Arie, that IS a slightly similar look. But the sleeves are much longer. This outfit has sleeves that reach her elbows. The silver detailing is also much more elaborate for tonight's look. Also, that funeral outfit seems to have been a jacket, whereas you can see this is clearly a dress in some of the pictures. But the two pieces might be the same designer. They have the same leather lining.
Ruby, I said the same thing in the other thread! A 1940's movie star. I think maybe it's the dark lipstick or the clean lines of the clothing, but that was also the same observation some commenters made about her royal blue dress from yesterday. Or maybe Mrs.O has been watching old movies and getting inspired by them!
She does look stunning. Yesterday and today, she has really knocked it out of the park.
she looks stunning, elegant without aging herself. And as always, the President looks dashing as ever.
This might be my favorite Mrs. O look ever. I just think she looks sophisticated, sexy, and approachable - all at the same time. I would love to see the entire look. I imagine it hits around her knee. I hope she is either wearing knee high boots with a heel, or just some plain pumps with a heel.
She was beautiful just beautiful! Love the way the dress shaped her and her arms look fabulous. Makeup-check. Hair-check. She passed with flying colors tonight.
Bet nobody can say she looked angry either!
Ha!!!
Stunning indeed. What a beautiful couple they are!
The great op-illusion 'cardie' Michelle is wearing looks both retro and avantgarde
You know what Jenna, I think your right. I didn't catch those details before. But I definitely think she used the same broach.
I absolutely COVET this entire look!!! She looks beyond fabulous from head to toe, and more importantly, she looks so very happy and excited to see Alvin Ailey. I hope they enjoyed themselves!
The look is retro without looking dated and without making her look older. I looooove that it's fitted! She kills fitted outfits! If you've popped out two kids and still have a great figure, hell, show it off!
I think she looks impeccable. And even though it's a very dark look and I love her in color, something about the contrasts of textures makes it very vibrant and lively to me.
If anybody gets a long shot of this dress I'd love to see it ASAP. The more I look at it the more I'm struck at the detailed construction that gives the illusion of it being a cardigan.
What a fabulous looking couple-they both compliment each other's looks so well.
This is the BEST I've seen her look. Wow, I think she is just stunning here. She makes me so proud! And I am so happy to have someone like her (beauty, brains, and class) represent us black women. I am overjoyed!
the wee michelles were there tonight, too. I am quessing that their protective parents nixed any photographs.
This look is an unqualified success. So elegant and classic, yet totally unique. Mrs. O has taken it to the next level tonight.
Wow - she is so chic! That dress is amazing- it looks like mohair, velvet and a satin trim ? I love the minimal cut and decoration of the dress and then the flourish and exuberance of the sparkling brooch to add just a touch of light and richness.
The play of textures all in tones of gray and black is amazingly sophisticated and modern for an evening ensemble.
I think her choice of formal for this evenings event is in perfect sync w/ the dire economic news released this morning.
Mrs O looks glamorously subdued which is exactly correct.
Hair and makeup supreme. Tonight she is on top of her fashion game - bravo.
i feel inspired. my eyes thought it was a cardigan at first. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the brooch. Mrs. O, you're the best!
Are you kidding me with this First Lady?? Brains, Gorgeousness, Healthy Marriage, Beautiful Children, A Woman of Service...I've have never been so proud of a First Lady!
Splendid!!!!
The First Lady looks stunning as usual...
I think she has such a natural beauty about her, and the perfectly applied makeup only compliments that beauty. They look like American Royalty...OUR First Couple!!!
That IS the same outfit that she wore to the funeral, except tonight she had to sleeve pushed up more. I've looked at both photos ten times each and it is the same! The exact same construction - the only difference is how the light is shining on it.
It's an absolutely phenomenal day to be an American. People young and old are jumping at the bit to be part of the Change and it's just so refreshing. My daughter and her Dad designed some shirts, their both fans of Neil Young, so it says KEEP ON BARACKIN IN THE FREE WORLD. I couldn't imagine it being said better. You can check out the shirt on ebay if you want, it's really cute. Plus it's like her first lemonade stand :) She's quite a genius little designer, and I'm not just saying that cause I'm her mom!
Betsy
OMG total knock out, stunning, stunning, stunning. Speechless, what a beautiful couple.
Michelle's makeup is FLAWLESS! She looks more stunning than usual! They make such a FABULOUS couple!
OK, Leah...you are convincing me!
I thought the funeral outfit was a jacket but now I am thinking it's just the light reflecting off the leather lining around the bottom that made it look like that. There definitely is a brooch in the exact same spot. And the mock turtleneck is the same. And the leather piping effect is so unique and distinctive.
The two pieces are definitely related, and possibly the same one. The different settings are what make the outfit look so different.
Anyway, it's a fabulous dress! A great example of Mrs. O recycling.
STUNNING! That's exactly the look...She looks simply amazing - Love it!
She looks absolutely ravishing!
Could they be a more beautiful couple? I think not. This is my favorite look of hers so far - the brooch is fabulous.
Classic & elegant -- AND -- SMART -- what more do we want? Work it, Michelle, work it!!
this is definitely my favorite post inauguration look by far!!
She looked flawless!!!
She looked FA-BU-LOUS and together they look SEXY (smile). My husband even commented "did you see her dress???!!". I was tickled by that.
"Stunning" is absolutely correct. I love how she can make simple pieces look so stylish. Yet another one of her looks that I will be copying :-)
Captivating....they both look absolutely beautiful
GOOD GAWD! SPLENDID!!!!
This couple epitomizes the aura of "First Family". They inspire, motivate, and captivate. Ccongratulations America!
I'm a retired woman who has become completely hooked on this website. I follow each and every entry and often learn so much. Thanks readers. I now must say that the First Lady's ensemble tonight went off the scale and this does not surprise me, it only makes me very happy. Leave her alone, folks and let her keep making us so proud and glad to have her fabulous input and style. She is happy in herself and so makes our day, don't you think?
absolutely beyond PERFECT. everything about this outfit is superb. michelle is getting better every single day and not one first lady from the past can touch this sizzling intelligent, spectacular woman. michelle and barack obama forever!!
theyre lightening her skin too much. she was 4 shades darker than barack