A Banner Day for Women
Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at 3:26 PM 
Photo credit: Pete Souza / The White House First Lady Mrs. O made a public appearance at the White House this afternoon as President Mr. O signed an Executive Order creating the White House Council on Women and Girls. The council will "ensure there is always an eye kept on how every government agency is addressing the challenges confronted by women of all ages." The President spoke of Mrs. O in his remarks before signing the Executive Order, sharing:
"I've seen Michelle, the rock of the Obama family, juggling work and parenting with more skill and grace than anybody that I know. But I also saw how it tore at her at times, how sometimes when she was with the girls she was worrying about work, and when she was at work she was worrying about the girls. It's a feeling that I share every day."
Mrs. O looked stunning in monochromatic purple, wearing a Zero + Maria Cornejo jacket over a purple dress with a purple satin bow pinned at the center of the neckline. The bow added girlish charm to the ensemble, a nice balance to the refined, womanly lines of the suit. We must say, we are delighted to see the bow back in the mix. It's a signature Mrs. O accessory that we haven't seen for several months, notably last worn for the More magazine cover in October and the first Presidential debate. Black patent leather kitten heels completed the ensemble. 
Photo credit: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images Later in the day, Mrs. O joined Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the State Department to honor recipients of the Award for International Women of Courage. The award recognizes the courage and leadership of women leaders in their struggle for human rights and justice. Additional images from the event, including Mrs. O with Secretary of State Clinton and the award recipients, can be seen here and here. Update: Watch a video from the State Department event after the jump.
Zero + Maria Cornejo in Outfits
Reader Comments (118)
I like the bow-pin. It gives a playful note to the outfit. Purple is gorgeous on Michelle.
The purple jacket looks like the one from the inaugural train ride. Could she be any more radiant? Barack's speech was really inspiring, too.
Oh, my! Simply lovely. Thanks for sharing.
Mrs T. is this the same jacket she wore on the train ride the weekend before the inauguration?
Full length shot: http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/85379817
Love it! I think this is just perfect. I'm sure others will call it boring, frumpy and a "First Lady uniform" but I disagree... I think it's elegant. The bow makes all the difference, although a brooch would add an edge, too.
I think everyone's right about the jacket from the train: http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/84354633
Yes, I'm almost certain it's the same jacket from the Whistle Stop Train Tour too (that's how I made the jump to Zero + Maria Cornejo)
You can watch the afternoon event with Sec'ty Clinton on cnn.com.
Loved the color--great for Mrs. O. Outfit great too!
Thank you Chicagoan for the full length pic. It's a very elegant ensemble indeed. It looks like it's a sleeveless dress with a matching jacket. I really like how she plays just the right notes with her accessories to enhance her outfits. The First Lady got flare. She really reminds me of the chic Parisian ladies- elegance, simplicity and unexpected accessories.
Love the kitten shoes as well!
I envy you your First Lady.
Mrs O. will appear soon live with Hillary Clinton at the State department. here is the link
http://www.cnn.com/video/flashLive/live.html?stream=stream1
Enjoy
I like the simplicity of this! classic and beautiful...also timeless
Purple is my favorite color, but I don't like the bow. I also STILL don't love her in kitten heels!
Mrs O. please don't let them intimidate you from flaring your beautiful biceps. You had been an inspiration for my family the way your phisique is. All the women in my family whant the First Lady body. Continue to be an inspiration for us all, women. She looks stunning in purple!!!!!
Im watching her and Sec Clinton on msnbc now, this outfit films well on tv, I love how she add quirk to her outfits such as the use of a bow w/ this one. And purple happens to be my favorite colour
Beautiful outfit, gorgeous color, it looks great on her! The bow looks all right to me, although it might have been better if it were not so much in the middle. Well, actually, I think a brooch would have been nicer. Was just looking again at the Thakoon flower dress, and that is one of my favorites too!
Wow! Mrs. O is keeping those arms covered. I must say this is one of the outfits that could have done without the cardigan or she could have picked a cardigan in a different color. She does love herself some purple though and it always look good on people with that skin tone.
I recall reading a feature about Maria Cornejo and how Mrs. O got involved with her clothes and used to buy them off the rack in Chicago.
Not sure what others thought, but I must say that the placement of the bow is silly. Just in my opinion and takes away from the outfit. Also not sure about the shoes.
she looks great. i don't really love the size and positioning of the bow, but in general i do love her use of bow pins.
@ Optimist
i agree. I like the bow but where she has placed it makes it look like a man's bow tie and I am not loving it. I think it would have worked better in the usual location she wears it.
Mrs. T, I must commend you for your sharp eye to spot where we have seen the individual pieces before. Some others on here seem to do that really well too. Most of the time, I remember but not the individual details. I must also commend Mrs. O for making something she has worn before always look different. I still think my most favorite business outfit and complete look on here including makeup was on Larry King Live when she wore that navy blue skirt suit.
I love the whole outfit, bow-pin and shoes included. I love how Mrs O. is her own self and continue to wear what pleases her and not what others think is nice or appropriate for her position.
Keep it up Mrs O! We love you <3
I teared up during the ceremony for all the courageous women there from around the world.
Surprisingly, this has been one of the lowest ranked outfits for Mrs. O even though the comments suggest otherwise. I think some better locations for the bow would have been at the clasp where the jacket closes, on the right side of her chest or at the neck on the side, just like how she usually wears it.
Nice! I like it! I do agree with the people who do not like the bow (or rather the placement of the bow). I like the off center ones, but this looks a bit like a little boy's clip on. LOL
@ optimist, I hear you but that makes the outfit the more attractive to 'cause Mrs O. placed the bow where you wouldn't expect it. and I respect her more for being non-conformist and taking risks. It really inspires me to be my own stylist and wear what I love and not what others dictate as proper.
on another note, I don't know what you mean by this outfit is the lowest ranked? could you elaborate?
Jennifer -
What shoe do 'you' think she should have worn?
Flat flats would not have looked right with the outfit and she could not have worn 'heels' - she was towering over everyone on stage as it was.
Of course she could have came out 'shoeless' - then everyone would've really had something to talk about!
Leah D I'm with you there. In addition she rocks the kitten heels with her looooong beautiful brown legs.
In my opinion, First Lady Michelle looked perfect. The bow placement today looked much better than one other time when she wore a bow up too high towards her neck and shoulder and that one looked ill placed.
Side by side Michelle looked like a feminine first lady and Hillary looked like a state official. Brava to them both.
@ Ms. N, this post is rated 4.2 out of 5. I am assuming they are ranking the outfit? That is what I meant.
The First First Lady Fashion Show
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/11/the-daily-show-designs-ne_n_173797.html
The placement of the bow is a little cutesy-poo to me, but, one thing I always take away (and I've mentioned this before) is the importance of thoughtful accessorizing. So many people would just wear a necklace with that outfit, but Mrs. O chose a bow. That's neat.
Love the monochromatic ensemble. And, does anyone else see Sasha in the picture above? The expression on her face and the way she's carrying her arms reminds me very much of a picture of Sasha that I've seen somewhere along the way.
Optimist, I think there are two schools of thought on this blog: those that like these elegant, timeless looks and those who like the edgier, fresh designs of Feith, Wu and others. Undoubtedly, many of us like both, depending on the situation.
What you may be observing in the 'rating' are those who don't care for the look but who don't feel strongly enough to post their opinions. According to research, about 70% of blog readers never participate in discussion. Or, it could be that they follow the motto, "if you don't have anything nice to say, say nothing." Given the bashing some people receive when they don't like an outfit, it's perfectly understandable.
I love the color on her, but too matchy for my taste. It would have been great if the jacket was a simple off-white cardigan.
It looks OK - but I will not consider this as stunning at all. It is business-like with a little flair but nothing out of the ordinary.
I like this outfit. Not crazy about the bow, but that's just me. I love the fact that she wore the same outfit to both events today.
One thing to keep in mind is that the event was to honor 'the other women'- some of the other women were dressed in very colorful clothes, patterns, etc. I think that Hillary and Michelle dressed in a toned down way that did not detract from the women honorees and they let them 'shine' since it was their day.
I think Mrs. Obama looks absolutely wonderful in this color--and overall, I like the outfit. I do not like the bow however. I understand that some do like it. Difference of opinion.
I think a cardigan would have been too casual for an event like this one. It was fine for serving food, visiting school children and other kinds of things---but not for an appearance at the State Department. I'm glad she didn't wear a cardigan.
I think her heels are fine. Actually, these heels are a little taller than kitten heels--at least my understanding of what kitten heels are. Sure, she would look fabulous in higher heels. I suspect that she does not mind towering over others---it is more likely a comfort issue. Some people just don't fee comfortable walking around in very high heels. I understand that (being one of those people myself.) It's better to feel confident that you will remain standing and be able to walk gracefully. Perhaps Michelle has never been a fan of high heels and has not ever worn them much.
I love the bow! It has a girlish charm that works well here, nicely balancing the more serious, womanly aesthetic of the suit.
One of my all time favorite Mrs. O reads is this one, which provides background on the More magazine cover shoot and Mrs. O's push to keep the bow on her dres:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lesley-jane-seymour/dressgate-who-is-dictatin_b_128067.html
I heart purple! I love that she wore a monchomatic look--it's unexpected for a grownup.
+1 on thinking the bow would have been better placed off-center, but it's a quibble.
And, while she'd look like a million bucks in heels, I agree that kitten heels are more low-key and appropriate to the occaision. I love that Mrs. O understands that when you're tall, heels make a bigger statement, as unfair as that is. I relate because I have very full lips, and if I wear the same lipstick that someone with "regular" lips can wear to work, it's like a neon sign! I have to be careful not to look like the *other* kind of professional woman...
Two of my favorite people. They look great
http://www.daylife.com/photo/099M3S81zecou
Group photo
MrsO and Hillary with all pf the honorees:
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0e9u4CI1Wx9YE/michelle_obama
I liked the outfit very much. The bow, I don't like as much because I don't like bows but she made it work well with the outfit which is what matters in the end.
When I saw her at the state dept. I thought the outfit was especially appropriate (especially the heels) because most of the women being honored were quite short as well as many came from Muslim cultures so they were quite covered up. She looked like the first lady but she didn't distract from the honorees.
I love how she balances appropriateness and style while putting her own stamp.
Kitten heels are slightly lower. I love the look. I've waxed already on the comfort and ease that kitten heels afford tall girls.
I think purple is a great color on Michelle - those shoes look like they might be patent leather - any info on that, Mrs. T?
Bevi, I have a feeling we've seen these before... with the camel Narciso Rodriguez ensemble, with the all-black pants outfit for last Wednesday's dinner with congressional leaders, and on a few other occasions. I'm sure Mrs. T will identify the designer for them.
I LIKE the bow on her dress on the cover of More--but don't like it so much with this outfit.
Mrs. T---can we get a definitive definition and photo of kitten heels. I don't think the heels she is wearing are kitten heels--but are taller than kitten heels. Could you find out? It would be interesting to know what kitten heels are---for sure---and what they are not. That way we could all be on the same page with our terms.
One more thing, I like the one color outfits. They are elegant--and dressier I think. I like to think of it as a "column of color"---which is slenderizing.
This outfit looked even more amazing if you watched it on tv. The ceremony was also inspiring and dignified and so I feel like her simple yet figure-flattering outfit was a nice compliment to the event. Further, some of the women they awarded were wearing native clothes with fabric and colors, and her simple look will make for a nice picture with each women regardless of what they were wearing.
Bottom line, it was a classic look, nice fit, stunning color - a total winner.
OT: Looks like our President is gearing up for Europe too with some new custom made tailored suits! Here's a funny article about the President's tailor. The guy is honest, that's for sure.
http://www.vanityfair.com/online/politics/2009/03/a-tailor-suited-for-president-obama.html
Kitten Heels
From Wikipedia:
is a short, slender heel, usually from 3.5 centimeters (1.5 inches) to 5 centimeters (2 inches) high with a slight curve setting the heel in from the edge of the shoe. The style was popularized by Audrey Hepburn.
From About dot com
Definition: The kitten heel -- popularized by the beyond-chic Audrey Hepburn -- is a femme little heel, usually 1 ½ to 2 inches high, with a girlie little curve to it.
Also from About dot com:
Definition: A kitten heel is a type of shoe with a thin-based, low heel (usually 1.5 inches or less) that is set in from the back of the shoe.
Especially popular on pumps, kitten heels can be found on many types of women's dress shoes. More than just being a low heel, what makes a kitten heel is the placement and feminine shape of the heel (see photo) http://shoes.about.com/od/glossaryofshoestyles/g/kitten_heels.htm
Also a photo of sandals with kitten heels:
http://shoes.about.com/od/womens_shoes/ig/0606-Shoes-of-the-Day/Kitten-Heel-Thongs.htm
I love the picture of her with Secretary Clinton. Thanks for posting the link, Mimi.
This would have been a fabulous outfit for the State of the Union.
MS, the President has not delivered a State of the Union address yet, that was simply an address to Congress.
If only the President had given a state of the union speech...