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)
Come on, commenting on someone's clothes is harmless. The FLOTUS is a public person in the public eye. Gosh! Even Hillary Clinton, as serious as she is, had to contend with comments about her wardrobe on the campaign trail! The first lady does not have an agenda per se beside supporting her husband and her own pet causes; she was not elected to office. This is just a fun site to make a commentary on why wear what, ect (Unless I am mistaken). For serious observations on her civic service and "work" either a different site should be created or we can go to one of the more serious news sites. She is not "reduced" to looking good; it enhances her and give us the nation something fun to look foward to. And no one said their entertaining was "reckless;" they just need to maintain a balance to keep in touch with the people who cannot afford the minimum and are going through hard times. This site is not for news or social responsibility commentary; it is about clothes because it allows us to escape from the boredom of our own lives and I among others like it that way. If I want news, news, I go to some other news site.
I'm with whoever above said that the Obamas need to party less. I understand that every president has to do certain events, but it does give off a "we don't give a damn" vibe given the current economic situation. It also adds fuel to the "elitist" rap that they've been accused of. It is politically wise for them to fall back some on the party front.
Zile, It's an interesting point you raise. I think of Mrs. O's style as a means of self-expression, and in truth, what she wears - casual, formal and everything in between - will have an impact on our social history. So for that reason, I choose to cover all public appearances.
That said, I also think it's very important to communicate what Mrs. O is doing and saying - and you'll find that reflected in nearly every post on this blog. Mrs. O's work is important in its own right, but from a style perspective, the context impacts what the First Lady is wearing and why.
She has the green bows on her shoulders:
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0gCReVH4IS44l/michelle_obama
***Clapping for Mz_C***
Very well said!
I'm in awe!
On the subject of the Obamas' parties, these are official functions; they're not just whooping it up every evening. I can well imagine that with all of the burdens he's carrying and critical problems he's trying to solve right now, they might find it more appealing to go home and curl up with a good book or just veg occasionally--or maybe pop some popcorn and kick back with their daughters--rather than having to get all suited and dolled up to spend a few more hours entertaining. This is all part of their official duties, not necessarily fun time for them.
With all de respect, it is not exactly torture for them either :) True, they are networking, but they chose to have a party, they could have just had a meeting. They do need to maintain a certain amount of socializing, but a party a week is a bit much. It's all about perception, especially in the world of politics. As much as I love to see Mrs. O's gorgeous self, I want them there for 8 years and if less partying is the price to pay for now, then I'm all for it.
If this site is only about fashion, maybe we shoud stick to that topic...
People have gotten chastised for mentioning that Mrs Obama's work isn't getting discussed enough then political comments shouldn't be discussed here either.
IF you have a problem with the Obama's entertaining I personally think it should be commented on at another site.
Also its a bit hypocritical to come here to see what the FLOTUS is wearing and then say you don't want them having so many "parties"
Anyway not feeling this outfit, the boots are fine, its the sweater that I'm confused about.. For this occasion a simple top would have been sufficient.
Those are NOT cropped pants. Cropped pants do not reach that far down on the leg, especially on someone with gams the length of Mrs. O's. They are, indeed, highwaters. Banished to the recyle bin with others like them, hopefully....never to be seen again.
Micaro9: Thank you so much!!!
Finally a sane voice amongst all this rather suspiciously crazy Caroline Gruzin sounding posters...
I'm certainly not fooled by many of these so called Mrs Obama "supporters" who come here to perpertuate unfounded rumours and fake concern for perceived excesses; even linking to well-known Obama-bashing right wing sites-
By all means dislike the outfit, but please move on...Enough of the not so subtle attempts at spreading much discounted republican propaganda on this site-
Fox news blog sites and the like would certainly better serve the purposes of some here...why they insist on polluting this site is beyond me-
But then again, I suspect that IS the point...to quell the enthusisam of those who really like the Obama's-
ummm not feeling the boots i think the outfit would look good with flats. the cardigan is beautiful and her makeup great in the close up shot in link further up this chain.
as for all the 'partying' comments...these types of official are a drag and hard work being a host/hostess and a necessity being POTUS & FLOTUS. It seems a bit mean spirited to be picking them apart on this.
Thank you Micaro9 and Audrey - the posers on this site are fooling no one.
Who's going off topic now? Anyway, if you don't like someone's opinion, fashion-related or not, there is no need for name-calling. And No one "picked anyone apart" by politely expressing some off-the-cuff comments. that is not being a "right winger," that is not "mean-spirited," and that does not make me or them any less of an Obama supporter. I respect that you disagree, but please refrain from labelling others; that only says something about your own level of intolerance. Thank you
As to the cost of the parties, there is a modest White House entertainment budget. Anything over that comes out of the Obamas' own pockets, not the taxpayers'.
Personally I find it cheering to see the vitality and life the Obamas bring to the White House in this regard. Much better than depressing stuff.
And yes, I know a Republican troll when I see one :-) So let's not have any more of that nonsense about this costing the taxpayers money.
When I first looked at the photos of her ensemble, it's what someone called a WTF outfit. But, when you think about it, it's appropriate for where she was. If you're traipsing across the Mall on a damp morning, walking in the wet grass is going to ruin full-length pants, so "flood pants" are a smart choice. I wish I'd had some on my last trip to Washington! And to those who said she shouldn't wear the sweater from an "important" occasion to a building site, I love that she's sending the message that volunteerism and helping other people is as "important" as January 21 was. Besides, that's the beauty of sweater sets--you can wear them anywhere from dressup (Sharon Stone at the Oscars) to carpooling, and this time of year, when the weather is so variable, it's nice to have the option of either one or two layers.
For those interested and for the sake of being accurate:
"State dinners, barbecues for Congress, and holiday receptions for the diplomatic corps are paid for by taxpayers, but the President is billed for all food consumed by his family and his personal guests."
So WE are paying for those Congress cocktails and other parties. The entinre article can be found on the National Geographic site at:
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/01/president/bumiller-text/3
Lilly, thanks for that article. It was fascinating in many ways.
The issue of whether taxpayers are paying for these events seems odd to me. I think most everyone expects that taxpayers are paying for some part of them. The difference lies in that some people are okay with that, while others aren't. There's no reason anyone should be called a "Republican troll" just because they don't share the same opinion. That's more revolting to read than a difference in opinion!
Perhaps it's a discussion that would be better suited for other blogs?
This has and always will be a blog dedicated to celebrating Mrs Obama and her fashion...
And those seeking to spread much discredited propaganda by cunningly segueing into the spending and partying habits of this first lady and her husband the president, will find the Fox blogsites more suited to their ulterior motives.
Again, we will not allow the Caroline Gruzin's masquerading under every phoney username to hijack this site for their expressed purposes of tainting the Obama's and casting aspersions on their persons...
Forgive my ignorance, but who is Caroline Gruzin? And again, expressing a concern some do agree with does not give others carte blanche to berate us. Speaking for myself, I have been nothing but polite and respectful on this board. And believe it or not, I am an Obama supporter. While I understand differences of opinions,I do not get the mean-spirited intolerance and trying to kick people off the blog.
Was someone doing that, Audrey? I didn't see anything that "tainted the Obama's."
I saw questions about who pays for the parties, but nothing suggested they were wrong to do it. How do you get that people are slamming them out of that?
In regards to the partying: I am a Republican, I adore our Flotus, but I think it seems like the O's are doing so much partying because we are all paying a lot more attention to them. To the best of my memory there was never a website devcoted to Laura Bush's fashion (and with good reason). So if it takes a party to get the country working together, then party on!!! Also, spending money creates jobs, just ask the housekeepers in Las Vegas who are losing they jobs because so many meetings have been cancelled.
Sounds like some people here cannot handle it when someone has a different opinion from theirs. That is what it all boils down to. No apologies for asking legitimate questions.
Actually Mrs A that's not the issue at all.
The problem is this is not a political blog, its a blog about fashion.
Lots of people come here to look at the various fashions of the first lady and to talk about fashion not about policy.
If your not happy with the decisions the Obama's are making in the white house, how is that relevant to Mrs Obama's fashion choices??? Its not. And since its not why is it on a blog entitled Michelle Obama fashion and style
Actually, the last comment is a little disingenuous, given that this very poster addressed the "parties" issue in one of her earlier posts. Although I will admit she did so in a nice way. However, what some posters like Mrs. A question is the need to use labels, thereby injecting politics ino the site, to demean other posters. One can recommend, as micaro9 just did above, that posters stick to fashion and strictly fashion without being mean. I for myself see the issues as somewhat interrelated. Also, as long as comments are respectful and not completely off-topic, then only the moderator can filter what people post and decide not to post a comment. The best most of us can do is disagree in an agreeable way indeed the issue.
I don't believe its disingenuous at all to suggest we stick to what this blog is about.
Disingenuous would have been defending the obama's then giving my opinion on the issue while denouncing the con opinion or the issue altogether, which I didn't do.
Pro or Against opinions about anyting un-related to fashion should be kept to a minimum imo.
Wouldn't it be a better idea to stop trying to tell people what this blog is for when you don't own the blog? As far as I'm concerned, MrsT is the only one who can go around telling other people what this blog is for. MzC is right. No one else is a moderator.
Whew! So that is what a-not-so-good outfit day from Mrs. O can lead to! I surely hope she wears a spectacular casual outfit the next time she has a down-day function :) I'm going to continue enjpying the site and the lively discussions on the board. And please someone fiind a full-length picture of that St. Patrick's day green dress soon so we can have some fashion to talk about :) Maybe we should have a contest (with Mrs. T's permission, of course); the first person who finds a pic of
the entire dress gets no bad comments directed at him/herfor an entire day ;)
There are a million and one blogs out there actively discussing the vagaries of the Obama's personal, professional and political lives -
Why anyone would sidestep those to come here instead to raise their non-fashion Obama points and opinion is mind boggling to say the least!
We know exactly how and where to find all this crap if we wish to indulge in them-
This blog was a respite from all the madness and contrived fury and rage out there...
To pretend that many of the deliberate attempts to inject politics and especially unflattering dialogue about the Obama's under the guise of fashion critiquing are innocent and harmless would be nothing short of dishonest-
Some of these posts would be demeaning if they were targeted at a 2nd grader; and yet many think its okay to subject a grown woman to the condescending familiarity with which some here choose to address the first lady.
And clearly any attempt at "enlightening" those who feign ignorance at what the "fuss" is all about, would be nothing short of an exercise in futility-
These posters know exactly what they are doing and choose to come here to stir the pot and plant ugly seeds-
They've gotten quite good at it too...They infiltrate blogs such as this pretending to fully participate while cunningly inserting and introducing their crap into the mix-
They no longer claim to be "black women and Obama supporters"! No, they now boldly assert that they have a right to come here with their so called "differing opinions"-
But rest assured that you will fail and woefully too in your underhanded tactics and attempts at disrupting this site...Its a promise!
What a shame that what was intended as a fun place to enjoy and celebrate Mrs Obama's style is ever so slowly degenerating into an unappy place instead of the once blissful escape we'd come to appreciate and savor.
Mrs T is a polite, classy, respectful, kind, refined and and all around lovely lady (read all her posts), who clearly expects adults to behave, respect boundaries and abide by very basic rules; And to wildly flaunt said rules until forcibly called upon to stop is terribly juvenile and very immature.
Lets stick to the purpose of this board as clearly delineated - Celebrating Mrs. O's fashion and style. Take all the other stuff to the other sites.
By the way, spot on Micaro9 and Audrey!
The only one planting ugly seeds here is you Audrey. That was the most insulting post I've ever read on this site and I've been here from the beginning. I've never posted but you made me so angry with your awful comments that I had to say something. Please go away. This was a nice site until you got here.
Well I just LOVE that the Inaugural cardigan (if I may so term it) makes its second appearance at this event. Talk about versatility and making your wardrobe work for you!
Nice job Mrs O.
Reading the comments on here, about "excess partying" on the part of the Obamas from some here, I just feel a need to reiterate something I've already said, elsewhere.
The White House Historical Association is a wonderful source of information, and the wealth of detail it provides on how past Presidents entertained is both interesting and insightful.
President Obama and First Lady, Michelle are doing nothing that hasn't been done before on the partying front by their predecessors; Roosevelt held over 300 parties during the 30s/40s, Lincoln was slated for enjoying the opera while the Civil War was still on people's minds, First Lady, Dolley Madison, was a hostess/entertainer of high renown, and I could go on, but the point has been made, I think, so no need....
As to the "outfit" that the First Lady wore for her time at the service effort on the National Mall, I can only repeat what I said when the "outfit" that she wore before boarding the heli', en route, to Camp David was being critiqued.
There are going to be times and occasions when attempting to analyse what the First Lady is wearing will serve no useful purpose. For me, the casual service effort "outfit" was meant to put the emphasis on what she was doing rather than wearing. For that reason, personally, I can't get myself too worked up over the cropped trousers, re-wearing of the lovely Ricci cardi', and such like. All, I can think is, how laudable it was for her to help bring further attention to the wonderful work of YouthBuild.
The First Lady brought it all together beautifully for the formal gathering in the evening, and all told, looking at her endeavours during the day, and how chic she looked later on, it was "a good day at the office" for her!
How very curious and amusing your response to my post "Valhalla"...
Only those guilty of the offenses hinted at in my post would find it annoying/"offensive"...
As for your "go away" shot...How funny! Been here a long time by the way and the "go away" thing...?
Obviously not going to happen since the whole point of the post in the first place was to share that together with other well-meaning, positive Mrs O loving posters here, there are no intentions on our part to cede this warm, positive, wonderful site to the snarky and ill-intentioned...
With the sudden death of the brilliant Natasha Richardson (may God rest her lovely soul and give her family comfort and the grace to bear this loss...);
It occurs to me then that now more than ever, the idea of life fleeting is even more reason to preserve the few sources of positive, joyous, uplifting, wonderful, good cheer...
Why anyone would deliberately choose otherwise simply boggles the mind!