Tea with the Queen
Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at 3:11 PM 
Photo by John Stillwell /Getty Images 
Photo by Stefan Rousseau / Getty Images
For her historic meeting with the Queen, we were delighted to see First Lady Mrs. O choose an ivory and black silk crepe dress by Isabel Toledo, paired with a black satin opera coat by Jason Wu. As many will recall, Mrs. O wore ensembles from the same winning combination of designers for the Inauguration. We cannot help but think back to the morning of January 21, when both Ms. Toledo and Mr. Wu were guests on the Today Show, exuding pure joy, excitement and gratitude.
It is wonderful to see both of these American design talents, heralded for their craftsmanship and artistry, brought to the world stage once more. Mrs. O's Isabel Toledo dress features an origami-inspired bow detail at the waistline. She paired the dress with a black cashmere cardigan by Alaia and a double strand of pearls.
Alaia, Isabel Toledo, Jason Wu in Outfits
Reader Comments (159)
I think Mrs O looks very pretty at 10 Downing Street for the dinner:
http://www.daylife.com/photo/04sU86IcCleTi?q=Barack+Obama
She is smart. she didn't want to overshadow the queen of england. play safe: wear black and white.
More photos:
http://www.daylife.com/topic/Barack_Obama/photos/1/grid
http://www.daylife.com/topic/Michelle_Obama/photos/1/grid
many pages on each link.
p.s. Congrats Mrs.T on your Today Show interview - you are awesome!
This is nice, but to dowdy for this occasion. A nice blue to match the President's tie would have been stunning. Even the Queen was bright and fresh in pink.
As much as I love Mrs. O and most of her style choices, this one leaves me very disappointed. The cardi is looking more dowdy than stylish in this outfit. While I don't want her stuck in a suit, a dress would have been a great choice for tea with the queen.
sweet and simple:)
Good point, MOI!
Mrs O. looks lovely...love the hair...!! Gorgeous coat...
Mrs. Obama was dressed too casual when she met the Queen and
Prince Philip. She should have worn suit, or jacket with long sleeves. Mrs. Obama has a great sense of style, but
sometimes she dresses too casual. Perhaps she should invest in a few classic suits reserved to wear when she meets heads of states, royalty etc.
Love, Love, LOVE the coat! She looks amazing...of course! Looking at the hem of that skirt - the picture isn't doing it any justice. I can imagine that it is gorgeous! Go Mrs. Obama!
I am not smitten with this, but I can understand being safe rather than sorry.
The outfit seems a little on the fussy side, even though it is a black/white ensemble.
Love the coat and pearls. The outfit is ok - not my favorite but fitting for the occasion. Honestly I think Michelle could make almost anything look good.
Perfect! The coat is absolutely beautiful and her hair and make-up look terrific.
Can you imagined if she'd upsatged the Queen, I must give her a 10 just for her humility; also this was not an official state visit so she couldn't really go all "glamfabulous". Great Job Michelle, and thanks for not wearing an ugly boring suit!!! Kudos
You are right shizuko!!! She is TOO Casual. She had every American designer at her feet and she wears ANOTHER CARDIGAN!!!! I can't take it! She should have kept on the white and black suit. If you have to pull your sleeves up then the outfit isn't apporpiate....maybe Air Force One lost her suit!!! I even would not have minded St. John!!
Does that skirt have crinolines? I SO remember these from many Easters past, feeling very grown-up and fancy. Very cute and quaint.
the dress is sleeveless.
why oh why does she have to wear a suit. she had a very tight schedule so she did right a nice dress she could cover with a cardigan and still look formal so she could go from this to the dinner. I liked it.
The photos on daylife.com have made me change my mind about the dress for dinner. It is very classic, without being stuffy.
Another point. You can be dress and still not upstage the Queen - say what you want about Carla Bruni but she ROCKED it in that grey outfit and hat. She was dressed right and didn't upstage anyone. J. Crew is fine for a run to Costco - but please - you are meeting the Queen. It wouldn't shock me if that Cardigan was another J. Crew special. NO. NO. NO. She better pull it out with the Dress at the dinner - I just pray it isn't ANN TAYLOR!!!!
The Queen looks tickled *pink* to meet the Obamas!
And who wouldn't be?
Again, though, I think that (like the President's speech to Congress, like meeting the PM and Ms. Brown) Michelle has gone too informal. She needs to understand that she represents the Authority of the President of the United States, an authority that has lost All Credibility because of George Bush.
It is great that she is approachable, fresh, and frugal in her everyday clothing choices, but she is meeting the Queen of England. A cardigan simply will not do. She should have referenced Carla Bruni or Jackie Kennedy a bit more- everything covered up, hat, more structural clothing.
She does look beautiful, though.
Mrs Y,
Yes there is crinoline under the skirt - you can see it peeking out in some of the photos.
That coat is absolutely incredible! I really hope we will see it again.
As for the outfit, it's not Michelle's style, which is why there will of course be griping, but it did fit the occasion. This was actually an informal event, because it was not a state visit. So she looked beautiful and was appropriately dressed, even if she went much more conservative than her general style.
I am just relieved that it's over with!! I was very nervous on her behalf.
If you look at the links the first person provided you can see that she is wearing a sleeveless ensemble and looks very chic. she must have just put the cardigan on to look proper for the queen. Must say I love the coat!
1st- I LOVE MICHELLE OBAMA AND HER STYLE.
No need to upstage the queen but in being simple, dowdy and repetitive is not the answer. ANOTHER cardigan? for God's sake Michelle! Love Love Love the first outfit of the day and the two from last night. 3/4 so far. we'll see what she does at the dinner.
A black cardigan to see the queen?i saw her without the cardigan sleeveless and she looked to casual and out of place.
i am crazy about her but her fashion people are not doing her any good at all.
I guess I am dowdy and boring because I like this outfit. First, I LOVE the coat! Beautiful!!! The dress(?)/skirt (?) is nice too. Not to flashy, appropriate. Like it!!
Martin,
Michelle did NOT wear J.Crew to meet the Queen.
She wore the beaded sweater and mint skirt to breakfast with the Browns and also when she went to the cancer center with Mrs. Brown. Michelle changed into the black coat, black sweater, white top, and black skirt before meeting with the Queen. Then she removed the sweater and wore the rest of the outfit when she returned to 10 Downing Street for the G-20 reception/dinner.
Gotta give her credit for being circumspect, but she looks a bit too much like a 1960's college girl at a sorority tea. I would agree she needs to invest in a smart and sophisticated black or navy blue suit for such occasions. She looks great in anything though, and I have total admiration for her.
Can we not compare Carla Bruni's outfit to Michelle's? Carla was there for a state visit and dinner, which Michelle was NOT. Michelle met the Queen at an informal visit. That's like comparing what you wear to the Oscars to what you wear to a fancy restaurant.
Anyway, I think the outfit is perfectly appropriate, even if it's not my favorite.
This is what I'm talking about:
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://pro.corbis.com/images/BE045593.jpg%3Fsize%3D67%26uid%3D%257BA30371E8-288F-472A-8AD3-510DBBDAF85A%257D&imgrefurl=http://pro.corbis.com/search/Enlargement.aspx%3FCID%3Disg%26mediauid%3D%257BA30371E8-288F-472A-8AD3-510DBBDAF85A%257D&usg=__MvCpbREtd3afAzLH8IeqZCuykzk=&h=480&w=616&sz=75&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=n2zqi4th3qMhNM:&tbnh=106&tbnw=136&prev=/images%3Fq%3Djackie%2Bkennedy%2Bqueen%2Bof%2Bengland%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1
The skirt is amazing, the shoes are amazing, the hair is amazing, the pearls are amazing.
BUT Michelle would have looked more appropriate for the occasion with just a little more structure in her top. The skirt would have been perfect with a cream, three-quarter length top made of jacket material, or something along those lines. Just a bit more structure on top to add formality.
Skirt is great, though.
I adore Michelle Obama, but she must lose those cardigans. They make her look like a secretary. No offense to secretaries...
I love it!! Are there any Brits out there who may know what the Queen carries in her purse? To me, that is the odd accessory, especially when the Obamas came to her home for tea.
Anyone who does not like this outfit, must understand the very strict dress code followed by people who visit the queen.
She could not be sleeveless and her ensemble had to be simple and elegant. She did not want to draw any more attention to her self than already given, and did not in any way overshadow the queen.
like the detailing of the skirt, it's a simple and safe outfit which is fine. i loved the coat though.
there are plenty of ways to be appropriate for the occasion without wearing a plain suit, and as far as i'm concerned this outfit fits into that category just fine. i wish folks would stop treating this couple as though they are uncultured simpletons who don't understand etiquette and protocol, or need to be told what is and isn't appropriate to do or wear when; they are accomplished adults who are perfectly capable of handling themselves in the public eye. one can dislike a particular outfit or style, but that doesn't mean there is something wrong with the person for wearing it.
She looks gorgeous, obviously totally confident, why should she stuff herself in a stiff suit, this is who she is, she loves cardigans, why not? The Queens loves handbags, she carries one all the time. Our First Lady is making us all look good. Imagine, i just got off the phone with my sister born and raised in England, she had no idea who the British PM's wife was before today and she's not alone. This lady is no public figure. We have been given a gift in Mrs. O.
The back of the white top looks GREAT! It is zippered.
http://www.daylife.com/photo/089l2j343WbaR?q=Barack+Obama
So is it a dress or two piece?
those asking Mrs O to wear "traditional" jackets and suits are simpley asking for her to be not her joyful self.
I loved the black and white ensemble.
she is different...and those who want her to be traditional maybe should not follow her.
My apologizes to Martin. The black sweater was a J.Crew - I just now read Mrs.T's post. I have been so excited that I forgot to read the text up above.
Also the dress is a dress and not a two piece, so I've got my answer to my other question.
I think it is time to take a deep breath - it is going to be a long week with tons of more outfits to swoon over.
hear hear moja31. I am *sure* those screaming here about how bad Michelle is dressed are invited to tea with the queen and go to these events *all* the time. Come on people. Michelle is doing us all proud. If you saw the parade of wives you know this is the most glamorous and still appropriately dressed FL.
I love the way that Mrs. O dresses for numerous occasions at once. Remember Inauguration Day when she wore the cardigan under that overcoat to have a different look for the luncheon immediately following the ceremony? Here she does it again. A three-in-one outfit. One for the Queen, one for the dinner (sans cardigan), and the thoughtful addition of the "satin 'opera' coat" to go to the Opera following the dinner!! Love Mrs. O!!! Here is a great link of her talking to Camille, Duchess of Cornwall....shows Mrs. O's fabulous new hairstyle..Johnny Wright is great!
http://www.daylife.com/photo/07w8dKq0M77Sc
THE ARMS ARE BACK! Mrs. O finally ditched the sweater for Dinner at the Browns! HO-FLIPPIN-RAY!!! See updated photos on daylife.
I think Mrs. O would've looked foolish in a suit, especially since she rarely wears suits.
Plus, they went straight to the reception with the heads of state and their spouses. So she had to dress somewhat versatile.
The more I look at the outfit, and the various shots, the more I love it. Humble for an informal meeting with a Queen, yet sassy for a little cocktail party afterward.
She nailed it.
and one more thing--the cardigan is Mrs. O's thing. I am happy to see her wearing them all the time because they are an easy youthful and surprisingly hip way to being versatile. In fact you see her fashion taste spreading--I saw at least 2 women newscasters on tv copying her with the cardigan and the belt.
HuffingtonPost (dot) com
has a slideshow on the front page, in the fourth photo Michelle's hair looks gorgeous!
Jae - what was that link about? Jackie O at some state affair with the Queen?
This meeting was completely different and informal. No comparisons, and I think people need to put away their Jackie O fetish now and realize that this is 2009. President Obama is not the new JFK, FDR, or whomever, and Michelle Obama is not the new Jackie O.
let's face it people, it was a boring outfit (obviously not the disaster some people are claiming it is)...just safe
I agree she could have been daring without upstaging the queen.
But I disagree with the cardigan remarks, i love it when she wears them....and the Wu jacket she wore to the palace, TO DIE FOR!! hair looked GREAT, a nice up-do for the occasion
ps: is the recent pictures for the "working dinner" the same dinner with JK Rawlings, and Naomi Campbell? if it is, I am very disappointed that she did not change (yes she ditched the cardigan, but i really wanted her to change), o well, 7 more days!!!
she's 3/4 for me :-)
I didn't like the dress Michelle wore to visit the queen but understand why she choose a simple look. And is very proud she didn't overdress for a simple meet and greet with the Queen.
Those upset over the dress she wore today or going overboard. Michelle will be aboard for sometime and will get to see all her different styles soon. I'm sort of enjoying her varied looks in Europe.
This is NOT a skirt it is a DRESS. As Mrs T stated above...Mrs. O wears an ivory and black silk crepe dress by Isabel Toledo with an origami-inspired bow detail at the waistline.
She didn't have time to change so she toned the dress down with the sweater. I would have liked it better if they had made a jacket for the dress but the sweater was fine.
She looked lovely when she met the Queen and fabulous when she went to dinner.
Ok all you people who thinks she is too "informal", would you rather see her in the pink number Her Majesty is wearing???
I love the coat. It looks very classic and classy. I agree that the simple ensemble underneath looks very dowdy, but better safe than sorry. Love the kitten heel satin looking shoes on the way in as well as the pearls.
I'm sure the White House on any occasion has several people who discuss proper etiquette, and theirs might be different then what we understand. I mean come on, like anyone on this blog comment role has met the queen of England. I AM the queen of England if someone has. Etiquette is a changing field, and I agree with moja31. If you don't like the outfit, fine, but don't act like no one has discussed etiquette with the First family.