Wednesday
Apr292009
Serving on the 100th Day
Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at 11:39 AM 
Photo by Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
First Lady Mrs. O and Dr. Jill Biden joined 160 Congressional spouses and children to volunteer at the Capital Area Food Bank today. Mrs. O and Dr. B are pictured with Lynn Brantley, Executive Director of the Capitol Area Food Bank and Vicki Escarra, President and CEO of Feeding America. Mrs. O wears J.Crew's Featherweight cashmere argyle cardigan in silver olive salt, paired with cropped gray pants and Lanvin's cap toe sneakers. Click here to see another fantastic image from today's event (thank you American-n-Rome!) P.S. We do love Dr. B's cropped white pants and silver flats!
Thanks to Janelle, who informs us the latter are Tory Burch's ‘Reva’ ballerina flats.
tagged J.Crew, Lanvin, Tory Burch in Outfits
J.Crew, Lanvin, Tory Burch in Outfits
Reader Comments (162)
160??!?!?! Wow, Mrs O is really changing the face of this game. I love it!!
Looking forward to this!
Another update: Mrs. O was named one of the world's most beautiful people by People Magazine. Here's the link:
www(dot)people(dot)com/people/package/gallery/0,,20267544_20274176_20614677,00(dot)html
I'm so GLAD!!!
Some kind of cool news: I was reading at the Huffington Post that the Vogue issue with Mrs. O on the cover sold really well, actually outselling their best-selling September issue. and selling 160,000 more issues than last years March cover did.
I know I bought it! That article/interview is still one of my all-time favorites.
Nothing makes me happier than someone who can take time out of their own lives to help the less fortunate. And look glamorous while doing it. What a wonderful cause!
http://cafefashionista.blogspot.com
Wonder who pays for her clothes?
sisha, it's been reported many times that she pays for her own clothes
Hey Jenna, why not look that info up? It's only been reported a million times that she pays for her own clothes. Geez.
Mrs O today
http://www(dot)daylife(dot)com/photo/06My05TdSjddN?q=michelle+obama
Daylife and Getty has new pics of Mrs O. She opted for a casual look today
I love the gray patterned tennis shoes Mrs. O is wearing. Super cute......
Dr. Biden's top and belt match-up is super cute too.
Both ladies are bringing style to service!!!
I like her cardigan a lot. Her shoes are bizarre. Mrs. O is just loves to quirk up her outfits!
I'm pretty sure the sneakers are Lanvin. I saw some very similar ones at Barneys.com
http://www.barneys.com/Cap%20Toe%20Sneaker/151105524,default,pd.html?utm_source=shopstyle&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=shopstyle08&source=shopstyle
I agree with IVA, although I find her pants to be a little bit too tight
OOO no $500+ for a pair of sneakers...lol I like sneakers, but not that much...Mrs O looks cute
Hey Sophie, the name of the commenter is below their comment, not above...so that was not me who asked about Mrs. O's clothes. I know she's legally required to pay for every dime!
And yes, IVA, those are some CRAZY shoes! Very funky though I don't particularly like them. I do really like the rest of the outfit and I especially love when she wears yellow.
I think Michelle is pretty determined to wear huge bows, deconstructed cardigans and etc, just for her own entertainment. It's very funny to kind of watch her because I am always so curious about what she's thinking when she chooses these "controversial" quirky items. It's so mischievous since she knows damn well what the reaction is. But it truly doesn't bother her. I never stop being in awe of that attitude. I can barely even wrap my head around it!
Anyways, she looks really cute and is continuing to wonderfully champion service. And look at how adorable Jill Biden looks!
as a young woman i do look up to michelle, and i think there is much to learn from her. that's why i would really like to hear her speak more. looking at pictures and admiring designers' work is fine, but at the end of the day i'm more interested in learning about her life experiences, her battles and her victories. people make a big deal out of her having gone to harvard and princeton, but honestly that's media showing off big names. michelle must be more than designer labels and school labels. anyhow, thanks for maintaining this blog. some comments are very interesting, others petty or blatantly polite.
Mrs. T,
I think that you should use this pic as the headliner. It shows the pure joy Mrs. O gets out of service....
http://www.daylife.com/photo/07b81ee65H4gg?q=Michelle+Obama
Today I congratulate Mrs. O for some many things. I know that its been a long journey. These last 100 days have been tough, not to mention the last two years. She is truly resilient; a true inspiration who has overcome so many odds! I am proud of my First Lady.
@ Sorina: I appreciate your comments, but this is a site primarily about Michelle Obama's fashion choices.
I love her casual look, although a pair of flats would have looked much better.
She looks cute and dressed for the occasion. I volunteer at a homeless shelter for women and children and I certainly would wear that outfit. Great job Mrs. O and Mrs. B!
I love the cardigan - very springy and cheerful. Jill Biden looks great, too.
Jenna, I agree with you that Michelle has a mischievous side to her. I think she enjoys making people feel happy and some of her clothes reflect that. Kids must love it when she wears kicky sneakers and bright colors with offset patterns.
As an older woman, I look up to Michelle as well. She strives to bring out the best in people and is very sincere in her efforts to do so.
sisha, So sad for you that your people lost. Maybe you can start a blog about Sarah Palin's mega-expensive clothes - has she returned those yet? Or is that campaign still in legal trouble about those?
The obama made $4million dollars in 2007 and $2.7 million dollars in 2008. I think Mrs Obama can afford to buy her own clothes. besides even without her husband's money she made 6 figures when she was working.
All these talk about who pays for what is ignorant and stupid. do better!!
Oh my gosh - take it easy! Looks like this blog only allows people to sing Mrs. O's praises! I agree she looks good, but anyone spending that much money with the advise of a renowned fashionista (Ikram) will look presentable. Also, a $2000 day dress is a bit much! HAHA - I am sure that is going to rile a lot of people!
Sisha - it's obviously not that much, since the dress basically sold out yesterday, after Mrs. O was seen wearing it.
Anywho - just bought the cardigan...it's on sale for $99. They also got me to buy the toothpick ankle jeans for $125.
There I go - stimulating the economy! Those Obamas are clever!
American-n-Rome, that picture is pure joy! What a great organization and event to put on! No ladies who lunch charity event here. The sweater is cute but itwould show ever bump and roll that I have. lol I agree that the pants seem a bit to 'fitted'. DrB looks adorable!! Love her outfit, although MrsO quirky sneakers were probably more comfortable for all of that standing than the silver flats.
Also...@ American-in-Rome - that picture is divine. She's just a ray of sunshine. She's loving her life. I'm so glad for her.
I like those sneakers, they're cute. It's just an unusual cap toe; when I was younger and wearing Converse all-stars, the boys used to draw all kinds of designs on the cap toe of their sneakers with ball-point pens.
The sweater costs $99, sisha. I'm really thinking about getting it, because I really do love argyle. So, here's the deal -- I'm going to go to a meeting tonight, and if it's not sold out by the time I get back to my computer, I'm going to take it as a sign that I should consider buying it.
If not, it wasn't meant to be.
American-n-Rome, that is a lovely photo! I've linked to it in the main post.
Just a quick explanation on images... Advertising revenue from the site pays for a small monthly contract with Getty Images. So most often, you'll notice I use their images. Only when they haven't covered an event will I go to another service, because it's much more expensive to purchase the images individually.
sorina,
Actually Michelle Obama does speak quite a bit.
You will usually find the speeches she gives at websites such as C-Span and on YouTube. Also, you can find more of what she has said in interviews online by doing a search.
And to the person that stated how much money the Obamas have made: Don't forget that President Barack Obama paid $855,000 in federal taxes and $78,000 in state taxes for 2008. And that doesn't include their home mortgage, house insurance, property taxes, school tuition for the girls, etc., etc. etc. Just because you make a lot of money it doesn't mean that you end up with it all - the more that comes in the more that goes out. Yes, the Obamas are not hurting and the can afford their own clothes, but they also are not filthy rich and that is why Michelle doesn't wear expensive designer clothes every time we see her.
The silver flats are ones Ive been looking for for years. Anyone know where they came from?
From Politico dot com:
Thursday:
Michelle Obama will attend the annual Congressional Club luncheon.
Jenh - Believe it or not, I think JCrew has silver flats, not exactly like Jills tho.
Jenh - You also might want to look on the Barefoot Tess website. There are a number of silver flats in different styles and price points. I am not sure if the exact flat is there, but there is a pretty good selection. It's a great resource for shoes, and the only disadvantage is you can't try them on before you buy. But they have a very fair return policy and 2 stores - one in Baltimore and one in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Don't know if that helps you!
I love the top and shoes, the pants could've been loose or longer, to compliment her long legs.
Brief remarks from Mrs. O and Dr. Biden today at the service event (about 4 min.)
http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=7463212
Jenh - I think Dr. Biden's silver flats are made by Tory Burch. I have a pair of flip-flops by Tory Burch.
Remarks from Mrs. O and Dr. Biden today at the service event (about 4 min.)
abcnews(dot)go(dot)com/video/playerIndex?id=7463212
so cute. mrs. o does not look 45, specially when she is girly casual like this. i feel like i could hang with her even though there is a 23 year age difference.
Short clip from - Yesterday
Michelle Obama Receives Roaring Ovation At Sojourner Statue Dedication
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XApZgqOC3dk
Here is a picture of Mrs. O's shoes.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Jackeens/204
I apologize, as I am not an expert, for not being able to remove picture of someone else feet (not Mr. Obama!)
You got it, Mrs. T! :p
those shoes are so fun, i'd totally wear them.
sisha- previous first ladies have worn labels like oscar de la renta and badgley mischka at everyday events, those hardly come cheap. Mrs. O isn't dressing any more extravagantly than any other first lady (arguably less so), it's just that for the first time in a while folks are actually paying attention to what the first lady wears on a day to day basis. it's her money, she can buy whatever she wants with it.
I think that for the first time there is an undercurrent of feeling by some that THIS First Lady is'nt allowed to be fashionable and affluent. They are begrudged the things they have worked hard for unlike any other First Family who where born into their riches. There is a glass ceiling for the good life and when people like the Obamas smash it they are begrudged. Its the Uppity syndrome or the "Not knowing your place" syndrome.
Jill Biden looks like she should be on a sailboat somewhere. So fresh and springy.
Hey Christina,
Was your sweater still available when you got home? :-))
i think it very nice and casual , but why do the sneakers have to be Lanvin and not just Nike?
I love this casual look
@ JO, her shoes don't have to be Lanvin, they are because thats what she chose to wear because you know its her money to do with what you want.
I do not know who Lanvin is, but I think the sneakers look more like something a child would wear and not an adult.
I do not think that everything always has to match but gray pink toed sneakers with a yellow/white top just looks down right goofy to me. The pink-toed sneakers might have worked better at the Easter Egg Roll event (when she was hanging out with the kids) if her outfit had had some pink in it on that day.
guys, chill out just a little, i don't think we are supposed to judge this outfit on an omg-everything-has-to-be-perfect basis!! she is volunteering for God's sake, chill out, because she clearly is.....for an event like this, we really should be more focused on the service behind it, and the people that will benefit from this and she spunked the outfit up, because its not a big deal, that's what normal women do
we can turn back the fashion hats for more formal events, or when the occasion calls for it
(i mean don't get me wrong, if this was a dinner, or a head of state meeting or something, I would be doing an "omg" right not....)
Her choices remind me of something Princess Diana would do...like when she would go to a polo match and wear bobby socks with heels. I just think she has fun with fashion which makes her fun to watch.