Serving on St. Patrick's Day
Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 11:12 AM 
Photo credit: Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images Mrs. O will don a new look today: construction gear (or a Nina Ricci mohair sweater set). The First Lady is helping to build an affordable, energy-efficient home on the National Mall in a service effort led by YouthBuild - a youth and community development program. Per the AP, the home will help a Texas family that recently lost their home to a hurricane. Mrs. O continued to champion public service in her remarks today:
"Community service is an integral part of empowering our people and making our communities stronger. And service must become a part of each of our lives. It has to be an integral part of each of our lives if we're going to create a more unified nation that we all want and that our President talks so much about."
"...I too found my life enriched when I left my job at a corporate law firm. I thought that was the best thing I'd ever do, making a lot of money in a corporate firm in Chicago. But it wasn't until I stepped away from the corporate track and worked in city government and eventually helped to found the Chicago chapter of Public Allies, an AmeriCorps program, a national service program, that I realized how important public service and community service was to my own development."
Not wearing exactly the type of dungarees we had envisioned, Mrs. O chose a pale yellow mohair sweater set by Nina Ricci. InStyle first revealed the cardigan's origin when it was worn for the Inauguration, paired with Mrs. O's lemongrass Isabel Toledo ensemble. Here Mrs. O wears the sweater set with cropped gray pants and blue hiking boots - a chic new take on construction gear we suppose. Update: While not everyone is loving today's look, Bluefly's blog, Flypaper, features a stunning profile image of Mrs. O from the event. Tonight the Obamas will also host a St. Patrick's Day celebration at the White House. Early signs indicate it will be a festive evening indeed. The fountains on the north and south lawns of the White House have been dyed green. The idea was Mrs. O's very own, borrowing a tradition from the city of Chicago, where the river is dyed green every St. Patrick's Day. An image and further detail follows at the Huffington Post.
Nina Ricci in Outfits
Reader Comments (135)
It's too soon to rewear it. I think she will wear some green accent but not completely green; it's too expected.
I am starting to wonder if there is something wrong with my eyesight. I saw over on HuffingtonPost an article where they are saying the boots are GREEN (for St. Patty's Day) and also have I read people saying that the sweater set is lime-green and others say green. The boots to me look BLUE and the sweater looks more yellowish to me than green. If she wore the boots and sweater because of St. Patty's Day then I think she missed the mark.
thanks for the close up of the boots. they look like tims but with the faux fur i am not sure. very cute tho......
I am not loving this outfit but I am sure that she won't disappoint tonight. Looking forward to seeing the pictures tomorrow morning
Is PETA gonna be targeting Mrs. Obama now, for those gawdawful boots? Can you tell if it's real fur or fake fur?
Leah D, I'm wondering the same thing. If the boots are GREEN then the whole outfit becomes a bit more planned and intentionally humorous. But they sure look blue to me. However, I remember at the event honoring women at the state department, the outfit with the bow at the neck looked blue in some pics, and purple in others.
@ Christina, yes, Mrs. O did do some hands-on work. There is a pic of her on Gettyimages.com that shows her planting seeds.
She actually planted some seeds as well as greet people.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/green/
There's a picture of her on gettyimages.com planting flowers, and I don't even notice the shoes while she's working. It's not good for posing, but for working around dirt, I have to say, I think it's kind of cute and unique.
As a side note...
Michelle's husband (the President hahaha) wore a green tie today: http://www.daylife.com/photo/08Hc8RCgj66nI/White_House
Jojo says - "Leah D, Edwina, Mara, Ms. A, Chistina, Susan, Chicagoan, and all the regulars, you gals, have SINGLEHANDEDLY restored my faith in the female sense of style! To be honest, until now I thought your loyalty to Mrs. O often clouded your fashion sense, but I am glad to see that you can be objective if need be."
I've criticized quite a few of Mrs. Obama's outfits - I've given her more nays and yays - so I'm surprised to be added to your list.
This outfit is a hot mess. This is perhaps the worst outfit that I've ever seen on her. The readers' much-lower-than-usual rating of her outfit today shows that I may not be alone here. Hopefully, this evening's outfit will be nice.
@ Leah: Blue and yellow makes green... no? Maybe that's the connection?
Just saying....;)
As to the comment about a lot of partying, I think that is because the Obamas are young and, due to all that exercising, energetic as heck. They can work all day and have people over in the evenings. Plus they seem to be very gregarious folks, going back a long way.
Here's Michelle planting. She has a better back and knees than I do.
http://www.sustainabilityninja.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/michelle_obama.jpg
There are times one should not be photographed. Today's morning/construction event is one of them. Yuk.
Just wanted to say that the pants aren't high-water flood pants they are cropped pants which are intentionally that short.
I can see shades of green in both the sweater and the boots, although not matching or complementary tones. I must say, that this is not a flattering look for Mrs. O.
Trudy: I don't think people are concerned about the Os' energy level when it comes to partying, but rather about how it might reflect bad given that the economy is in such dire state.
Thanks, Lilly. That is exactly what I was referring to regarding all the partying. And before anyone says that is their money, it is funded out of the tax payer's money. I'm beginning to feel like I have seen Pres. O shaking his butt at some event or another one time too many already. I know this is his time to form all his coalitions and alliances, but there is a time when too much is too much, given the current economic conditions and I think we are getting there. WHat events is up next? Parties for people who own a dog that is black and has had it for over 6 months? Just my personal opinion. However, without this event, how would i get my Mrs. O fix? I am keeping my hands crossed that she doesn't disappoint. I really want to be excited.
Mrs. T, do we need to change the time on here to reflect daylight savings, or are we on some other coast time and not EST?
The Council of Fashion Designers of America announced Monday that Mrs. Obama will be honored with a special tribute from the group's board of directors at its annual awards gala in June.
Here's a link to the article:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/17/fashion-council-to-honor-_n_175762.html
I guess this is my thought -- sometimes you're wearing an "outfit," and sometimes you're just wearing clothes. Today was a day to just wear clothes. The event at Fort Bragg was a "just clothes" event. She looks okay, and the only reason anyway is paying that much attention is because she's looked better on other occasions. But not every event is an "occasion." Which is fine by me. She's just a normal person and I'm glad that at times like this, it's clear that she picks out her own clothes. We don't need Queen Michelle.
I really don't think the Obamas party that much; I honestly think the Bushes "partied" very little and so the gregariousness seems shocking in comparison. I was living in DC when Bill Clinton was president and he got out a lot. I know we can have our differences on that score, but one thing I like here is that this can give us a bit of a respite from politics. I can get that conversation anywhere.
If we want to see Mrs. O in pretty clothes, we're going to have to support the "parties." So party on, Obamas!
Reality Check Christina: Parties = Your and Mine tax dollars spent during a time of economic crisis. Also, how do you think the public will react to the parties when they are struggling to keep their homes and pay their health care and electric bills. As much as I like to see a new outfit to rave about on this site, I would not mind tightening the reins a little. Also, The Clinton era was a time of economic SURPLUS!
My thoughts exactly, Magnolia, on this outfit--
Oh dear, oh dear.
But super bonus points for community service.
I do not think that there have been too many parties.
The Superbowl Day watching party did not cost much at all - they served hot dogs, chips, cookies, etc.
The Stevie Wonder event was to present him with an award from the Library of Congress -- that is official business -- and the event was filmed by PBS. As far as I could tell no food was served.
The Governors Dinner I believe is a yearly event -- and official business.
The Ford's Theater event was at Ford's Theater.
The Kennedy Center event was at the Kennedy Center.
The Wednesday night cocktail evenings are NOT sit down dinners.
The Honey on the Rock acapella group afternoon was part of normal White House events that go on all year at the White House and not different than any other administration has hosted.
There have always been parties, state dinners, and events at the White House and it is not right to single out the Obamas out only because they are getting more press coverage then the Bush and other presidents did.
I also wanted to add...
People have always been struggling to keep their homes and pay their health care and electric bills. The White House has to present a positive image of because the whole world is watching.
I didn't hear everyone complaining when Bush had his last big dinner party a few months ago and $500 per bottle of wine was being served... and let's not forget the $500,000 new china that was delivered to the WH right before the Bushes moved out.
I'd rather have the Obamas spending some money on White House events (which helps OUR economy) instead of sending money to Iraq and Afghanistan to hand out on the streets like Bush did!
Lilly: We're all friends and adults here -- I'm not a child, so I don't need a lecture. I have a different point of view, and I expressed it. I said already "I know we can have our differences on that score..." so I'll just leave it at that.
Seems like this topic has transitioned to something else, based on my side comment - Anyway,Leah D: there have been many other parties than those that you listed above. It's true there have been many parties by other presidents, but he economic situation is unique. And also about the hot dogs and pretzels, such event end up costing a lot regardless of what food is served because many other bigger variables go into the cost. I worked in an accounting dept for a major hotel once and for a group of 50 people that came to eat some chips and sodas, their bill could be as much as $10,000.
They deserve to party but I hope they still remain sensitive to the economic environment that we are in and are conscious of costs and expenses, and give consideration to whether there is a need.
White house Nightlife Under investigation
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=90945
I agree wholeheartedly with Susan! Well-fitted, dark-washed jeans would have looked (and functioned) so much better than the ill-fitting pants Mrs. O has on. Jeans would have made the boots look better, too. Aside from her occasional fashion faux-pas, Mrs. O. is one fabulous woman and I can't wait to see what she wears tonight. Everyone (at least the women I know) is watching what she wears so closely. Does anyone know if Mrs. O. has a stylist? I am very curious to know.
China Trivia fyi...Believe it or not, a lot of china gets chipped and broken during use at these various events. Periodically, new china has to be purchased to bring the china up to service levels needed to host these events. Full sets of china are generally designed and ordered by 2-term presidents supposedly because the process takes so long. People have been complaining about the cost of the china since the first set was ordered by James Monroe. Although, he drew more heat because of it's foreign origin. Even if a full set of china isn't ordered, First Ladies generally add to the china in some way. For example, Maime Eisenhower added only Service Plates. Taxpayers don't pay for the china anymore. The White House Historical Association, a private foundation, has been paying for the china since the Reagan administration.
Mrs. A, you're quite right! I hadn't noticed to be honest. But the time should be corrected now.
I am guessing tonight Mrs. Obama will wear an outfit from an Irish-American designer :-)
Oooh, now this is a fun game! Who could that be? Tom Binns is an Irishman.
she looks great for event, releatable to the people around her. I love the look minus the shoes.
@ Lilly -
These are not parties in the sense that you or I think of them. Obama is not partying for the sake of it, he's sucking up to his various key stakeholders so he can move his- our- agenda forward. These parties are work events being held for the benefit of politicians of all stripes, to try to build an atmosphere of collaboration in Washington. If he wasn't doing it this way, the politicians would all be having fancy private dinners in their fancy private houses and billing us for it. You and I can just see it now, wherein the past we could not - this is transparency. How do you not see that?
I love, love LOVE the fact that Mr. and Mrs. O are doing their thing. Celebrating LIFE. That's what they're doing and I hope folks on this blog are doing the same every now and then. It's more fun to live life, as opposed to commenting on how other people are living theirs.
I don't care for this outfit, but I think I understand what Mrs. O was doing. She's not going to be anyone's doll.
Cropped or high water, the pants just don't work. I think intentionally short pants look better on shorter women. On us taller gals, they need to be either full length or capri length to avoid giving the impression that we just couldn't find a pair the right length. Also, in the more close-up shots, her hair does not look its best. I can't say that I've never gone to a work day in a quickly thrown-together outfit without giving the usual care to my hair; but then I don't have cameras following my every step and people blogging about me. Unfortunate look! I'm sure tonight's will be much better!
wow what a stunning picture on the blue fly site. our flotus looks amazing. love this outfit. the sweater is gorgeous and very feminine.
LOL...don't see Mrs. O for 2 days then...BAM!!! I tell you what, I always hold my breath a little when Mrs. O steps out.
Secretly, I have imagined Mrs. O receiving samples, and fittings and protocol coaching in preparation for her international trip later this month.
And even more unrelated, I LOVE Mrs. O's bodyguard!! He is on his A-game for sure! (No, no...I will not call him Kermit).
*Thanks all for a nice wind-down at the end of a stressful day.
The boots are nice, but mixed with those slacks and the sweaters?? I'm not getting this one, but maybe I am expecting too much to "get" everything she wears out of the house.
I would have loved some nice fitting jeans, and a light jacket, surely there was something more yummy than this combo in the closet.
The colors just look weird and the pants are unflattering. But hey, she was down there at the mall lending support to a good activity. What were we all wearing today? Anything better?
Mrs. A,
You got my curiosity up when you said:
"there have been many other parties than those that you listed above"
I have been keeping an eye on just about everything that has happened since the Obama's moved into the White House so please fill me in on which parties I have 'missed' because I believe I listed just about all of them above. According to the article you linked to it said: "Since moving into their new digs, the first couple has hosted a half-dozen gatherings" --- that comes to three a month and LESS THAN ONE A WEEK. Also I think that article is not being very honest - it refers to Stevie Wonder as being a 'high priced entertainer' but doesn't mention that he was 'the guest of honor' and was there to accept an award from the Library of Congress and he was not paid to be there. Also the OPEN HOUSE was an afternoon event open to the American people and not a party. Also, the events that CANDIDATE Obama hosted BEFORE he became president were paid with CAMPAIGN money and had nothing to do with his White House allowance.
Mrs. T. I love his collection. Do you know of any young Irish-American fashion designer? I know there is a popular Irish shoe designer, Eileen Shields. Maybe we need to check out Mrs. O's shoes tonight :-)
Mrs. A,
That website you linked to is a republican rag. Chuck Norris is writing columns for them! Hahaha!
They are even pushing articles about President Obama not being born in Hawaii.
I suggest that we just ignore those type of sites that promote divisiveness.
What's TBG?
I think I may have a slight crush TBG aka Kermit lol
TBG = The Bald Guy. Some folks started that here on this website a few days ago.
He is the white bald guy on the left side way in the back of the photo.
Btw folks, TBG can also stand for The Body Guard
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Michelle-Obama/ss/events/pl/050108michelleobama;_ylt=Agd017YZI3D_2lsh_GE07J_mWMcF#photoViewer=/090318/480/43bfbfcfa11946519021986a26f76ecf
Mrs. O is SLEEVELESS!!!!!!! YAY! And in green. She looks lovely!
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Michelle-Obama/ss/events/pl/050108michelleobama;_ylt=AsIXIDMdztQi2BwW3mYgxDpsaMYA#photoViewer=/090318/480/43bfbfcfa11946519021986a26f76ecf
You can only see a tiny fraction of her dress, but from what you can see, it's cute.
The boots are clearly meant to be functional. If the outfit were paired with some flats, I think we'd all like it more. However, that would have been completely inappropriate for the occasion. I also agree with another poster that jeans paired with a sweater would have been more fitting.
I am betting we will see more of these looks where the best thing we have to say is that "it's alright." Because that is precisely the point!!!
When the First Lady goes "to work" i.e., visiting agencies or promoting one of her causes, there should not be entire articles about her clothes and a brief note on what she actually went there to do. It should be the other way around (if one has to mention her attire at all).
I'm torn about sites such as this one. On the one hand, I love coming here to check on what Mrs. O is wearing, on the other I feel they are diminishing somewhat from what she's trying to accomplish.
I think it would help if this site would only report on what Mrs. O wears when she is in a social situation and not when she goes to "work". I admire this woman too much to see her just reduced to looking good.
Just my .02.
Thank you Zile. Your .02 is worth more than that. I can't remember the last time a first lady was so engaged in civic service and extending herself to so many agencies. My elders tell me that Eleanor Roosevelt had that kind of energy.
I refuse to buy into this notion that the Obamas are reckless in their entertaining. Let's rein in the AIG bonuses and focus less energy on the Obamas making the WH a place of celebration if we are going to spend time chastising them for spending money.