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)
Layo G,
I see no reason to 'chill out'.
I was only stating my opinion about the shoes.
This is a fashion website - and people have stated their opinions on other clothing items when Michelle was at other 'volunteer' events.
I normally like most of Michelle's choices and usually state so - but I am really surprised that by posting a non-gushing comment you think I should 'chill' Hahahaha!
If we are going to critique Michelle's picks then I think that all of them are up for discussion - it by no means takes away from the good works she does.
@Bevi -- not only is the sweater available, but it's an extra 20 percent off! (Along with a bunch of other spring stuff on the J.Crew website)
@Leah D -- The pictures may not show it well, but the sweater is pale gray with olive diamonds, not yellow and white. So, with gray pants, it seems like gray sneaks also work. True, there's no pink in her outfit, but sometimes I wear red shoes or red accessories when there's no red in the rest of my outfit, just for a little "pop."
I do agree that the ensemble reads "young." I think it's cute because I see "youthful", others may see "childish"....*shrug*...to each his or her own.
The shoes are cute. The pants could be a better fit, especially in the pelvic area. They look a size smaller. Loving Jill's combo, such a beautiful blue.
This site is becoming like the Gop!! Anybody dissenting is automatically a traitor?
How the First Lady dresses, is who she really is. The President says she is a very exciting woman, and found her to be dazzling, with a great sense of humor. Now we see what he is talking about, don't we?
Here is a link to a very funny UNTRUE SATIRE/COMEDY article:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andy-borowitz/obama-quits-while-ahead_b_193231.html
I'm posting it here because there is a reference to Michelle's wardrobe in it.
@chennamma
I've noticed that before with Mrs. O's slacks. I have the same issue with wrinkling. My solution -- alterations. Seriously, I know this lovely little old lady who does what needs to be done...I highly recommend this because otherwise you can end up going nuts trying on 50 different pairs of pants.
Love the argyle sweater. Not crazy about the pants. Mid calf stuff seems very unflattering to me in general. Full length khaki pants or jeans would have been a better bet, I think. Also, they seem tight in an uncomfortable and unbecoming way.
That said...who cares about what she wears when it is about what she does. Yet, I ventured to comment since this is, after all, a Mrs. O fashion blog.
(still wish I could see more of the amazing red dress whose pic showed up on flickr today!)
Dr. B does look sharp! Wish she and Mrs. O would make more joint appearances/join greater forces around education issues.
SD
I think the sneakers are Fun & Cute for the todays' event.
Who cares what she paid for her shoes today or dress yesterday? I get enjoyment out of watching her daily choices. I also enjoyed some of Cindy McCains' clothes. I sometimes think its' a jealousy issue.
Yesterday, Mrs. Obama looked cute. Today's outfit gets a thumbs down. I'm not feeling the blah color combo, the sweater, or the shoes. I'd expect her to not dress up for this event, but she could've grabbed a better casual outfit from the closet.
I really like Michelle Obama’s style - sometimes classic, sometimes elegant, sometimes a little funky - and she doesn’t seem to care what people think about it. I saw this slideshow of some of her fashion highlights for the first 100 days in the White House if you want to check it out too: http://www.bettyconfidential.com/ar/ld/a/one_hundred_days_obama.html
This outfit is cute and appropriate. I actually love the sneakers. however....
The pants don't fit at all, in a very unbecoming way. They make her thighs bulge. Ugh. Also the length is not good. They look like she borrowed Malia's pants.
Jill Biden looks lovely as always.
I've been surfing for 'unseen' FLOTUS pics and came across this one. Replace the (dot) with a real dot.
http://i9(dot)photobucket(dot)com/albums/a81/kos102/2009/100/Snowboarding(dot)jpg
Does anyone know anything about the coat Mrs. O has on?
Here is a link to a very funny UNTRUE SATIRE/COMEDY article:
www(DOT)huffingtonpost(DOT)com/andy-borowitz/obama-quits-while-ahead_b_193231(DOT)html
I’m posting it here because there is a reference to Michelle’s wardrobe in it.
This is how you do "dress down" She hasnt missed a beat. Go Mrs O!
I think Jill looks out of place in the pic, like she doesn't want to get her hands (or pants) dirty. Definitely "too cute" for the task.
I enjoy seeing what Mrs. O wears because it shows a woman who is confortable and secure with who she is. She dresses to please herself and her husband. If both are satisfied, then all is well.
I generally like Mrs. O's clothing choices. As with anyone, there will be times that I don't. Her choice of clothes for the Food Bank event were spot on for the work that is done there, specifically work can that can be dirty.
Thank Mrs. T.
I feel so proud to have a first lady and a "second lady" who are so intelligent, educated, and accomplished AND who take the time to look good! I actually prefer Jill Biden's interpretation of casual chic to MO's, but that's just me. Both women are inspiring role models, and I too would love to see them team up more often.
Sisha, if I may, you've missed something. There are often comments here about how an outfit of Mrs Obama's doesn't work for someone. We don't all slavishly ADORE everything Michelle wears. Well I don't. But I am constructive about everything she wears, even if I don't like it.
As for the fantastic "Ikram is Svengali" myth, I think you'd do well to look back at interviews where Mrs O has clearly stated that she buys stuff she likes, herself, online and offline. Ikram isn't always solely responsible for all of her fashion choices! A nice bit of controversy from a bored journo...
This outfit, in fact, I don't go for. BUT! She looks great in it, she's doing a great job, and she's raising the profile of volunteering and public service. So yeah, grey, blah blah, but radiant anyway.
Back in my fine days as a London salary earner, I would regularly blue a quarter of my monthly take home (OK, half) on a fantastic beaded cardigan, or a pair of shoes. It was no-one's business but mine that I did that. Remarkably, for Mrs O, it's none of our business either. She earned it, she can spend it any way she wants.
Forgot to say a) the pants fit Mrs O perfectly, she has a real figure for a real woman, not a stick insect, let's all just appreciate THIGHS for a day, hurrah! and b) I just LOVE what Dr Biden is wearing. She's so pretty.
Mrs. T,
I know this is Mrs. O's site, but I love Jill Biden's silver flats. I must have those silver flats for the summer! Do you have any idea who makes them? I've been going to all my usual shoe websites and can't find anything close---thanks!
OMG some of y'all need to CHILL big time! and stop projecting on Mrs O. Just because YOU would not look good in some of her choices does not mean they are bad choices. Some of you need to stop being sensitive to any criticism.
On a happy note, I'ld love to see the RED dress from Alfalfa dinner... that looked hot. Mrs T any ideas??
Mrs. T,
I just found online the silver flat Dr. Biden has on (I saw a blow-up picture of it on H.Post). It's a Tory Burch 'Reva' ballerina flat that retails for $195.00.
Posh Tater, give in to the arrrrgylllleeee...(grin)
Are similar flats maybe available at Zappos? They're my favorite online choice for shoes. Great customer service.
@ Christina,
I had checked Zappos (my all-time favorite for shoes), but the silver ones they had just weren't quite right for me. I found the Tory Burch's at the Nordstrom site for $195...but need to mull this purchase over today. Wishing they were $100 dollars--or I could make up the difference using my extra $65.00 in stimulus put in my paycheck today and help the economy---LOL!
No time to read thread so this may be a duplication.
New York Magazine is reporting that Mrs. O's sneakers are Lanvin, $540 a pair.
J. Crew has a silver metallic pair with a small tie for $99
@ Janelle:
I hear you. $195 is not an "impulse" purchase -- at least, not for me!
I don't know how you feel about this store, but you might go to the Target website and put in "silver flats." I see about four different styles. They may not be *exactly* what you're looking for but for 20-25 bucks or so, you don't expect perfection.
My great-grandmother was the one who exposed me to the old saying, "Pretty is as pretty does." While we come here to see and discuss Mrs. Obama's clothing (and I think she always looks terrific), it just makes me heart her even more when I see the joy that she gets from doing these things (as American-n-Rome pointed out with that great photo). She doesn't have to do these events, and her sincere desire to do so and her genuineness shine through. I just am more proud of her each and every day.
Not sure all the details...heard a brief clip about Michelle Obama discussed on Larry King, CNN tonight.
Christina, I can't believe you said that. Here I am, lying in a darkened room, with my smelling salts and sal volatile, trying to ignore the HORROR, and you have to say it OUT LOUD!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ack...
@JO, why would you want her to wear Nike shoes? Nike has a horrible record of child-labor abuses at their factories in Asia, and I personally would never wear them.
Cosmic activity in our solar charts is causing many to be a little more fragile than normal. Therefore, I will keep the comments about those shoes to myself. Someone else may actually own a pair or even designed them (especially the way some of you are crying).
I really like the way her jeans fit and think she looks really good.
I really want to see the red dress from the Alpha dinner too !
Frankly, if you have an athletic body, I say go for it. Or even if you don't.
Leah,
you stated your opinion, and I think I can state mine too
and i forgot to add to Leah, i don't think i even mentioned your name specifically in my comment....so the fact that you took offense to it is on you :-)
I don't care for the shoes. Mrs. Biden's are so much cuter and Michelle would look better in TB flats, too, with this outfit.
Yes an excellent and true First Lady and I am really appreciate how she and Prez are practicing what they "preach". Aside from that, and on to fashion! WOw, she just amazes me with her sense of self -- i am 5'8 and was always self conscious-- thinking i was too tall but am embracing my " tall self" Just love the way she dressess-- and those almost near 600 sneakers are just whooooaaaaa!!! well she has worked hard and i say you go girl.. continue to " DO YOU" :))))
its funny people are wondering who pays for her clothes. i think people forget she had a pretty nice salary -- and could well afford 600 sneakers :)))) if that what she chooses to do :))))))
I always hate when the last outfit posted is not a general winner, and we have a large gap unti we get a new outfit or topic. The comments always start to lose focus and become too personal.
So, let's all just get along! Please!
On that note, am I the only one that bought the Jcrew cardigan she wore yesterday? I'm excited to see how it looks on me!
Mrs. M:
I am also 5'8 and love my height. I generally wear 3-4" heels. I'm just beginning to wear flats with pants (not my dressy pants though) with khakis.
It was a challenge finding pants that were long enough when I was a teenager, but now I have no problems.
Even though 5'8 is not that tall anymore, I embrace my height.
America Online has a rather snarky article about wearing expensive shoes to a food bank--but there's also a poll where so far the leading responese is that it doeesn't matter what you wear so much as what you do! Here's the link if you want to vote: http://www.stylelist.com/blog/2009/04/30/michelle-obama-wears-lanvin-sneakers/?icid=main|main|dl1|link5|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stylelist.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F04%2F30%2Fmichelle-obama-wears-lanvin-sneakers%2F
About the outfit: I don't mind the top, although I am not particulaarly fond of argyle; the pants are too tight and the length does not flatter her; and the shoes I sort of like (they are whimsical). Which brings me to the mini-controversy about the sneakers; first of all, call me fashion challenged, at first glance, I did not even realized that they were $540 Lanvin shoes (while cute, I would not have paid that much for them, even if I were Mrs. O and could afford them). Secondly, again, maybe it was the wrong place to wear them, (and before you start knocking me for knocking Mrs. O), while I personally don't care about the price, as long as she can afford it herself, it is all about perception: pricey sneakers to volunteer at a food bank in tough economic times invites criticism. Also, as I read the comments on the board, I feel some posters are a little disingenuous about Mrs. O. While they are the first to praise Mrs. O as "one of us" and a "regular person," they are the same posters who are berating others who wonder (whether rightly or wrongly) about the high cost of some of Mrs. O's fashion choices. For instance, to imply that Mrs. O should not partronize Nike, an American company, because of "child labor" but instead should wear French-made shoes shows a lack of consistency. If you're going to advocate one thing, at least be consistent about it. And BTW, Mrs. Biden looks pretty and refreshing; I fail to see how as one poster put it she "looks as if she does not want to get dirty." Again, we do not need to bring others down to appreciate Mrs. O.
Like I said the problem is when Michelle "steps out of her place" because we know she is'nt allowed to have MORE than some people. She could volunteer in a pair of Manolos for all I care its the SERVICE and TIME that counts. Did they look at what the other wives where wearing? Of course not..they are allowed to wear what they want.
I do a lot of volunteer work (including in a food bank) and I have found that people who are critical of me (including the way I dress) are DEFINITELY not people who are doing ANY kind of volunteer work. (People who are "doers" are a threat to those who aren't "doers.")
My favorite quote is: "We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give." --Winston Churchill
Michelle and her family are "givers." I am SO proud of our First Family ----and I didn't even vote for President Obama!
LOVE the argyle sweater and the shoes! :-)
P.S. Posh Tater and Christina, you are BOTH too funny!
When, oh when, are those cropped pants going to fall out of favor? They hit most women at an unflattering length on the leg and always make the foot look large. Same here for Mrs. Obama. And, unfortunately, those ugly sneakers (Lanvin or no) just make her look chopped off and "clumpy" at the bottom. Not a good look. But it's good work she's doing today.
Jill Biden's Tory Burch flats are $200. That's expensive for some silver flats and maybe that could be argued as inviting criticism as well. But no one is criticizing Dr. B for wearing expensive shoes while volunteering during tough economic times. I wonder why?
Mrs. O, however wears expensive shoes, and we need to go on and on about it? This is a case of building someone up, and tearing them down. She's always been about high-low. She's wearing a $99 sweater from JCrew and some wacky sneakers that she thinks are fun. I wouldn't pay $5 for them, let alone $500. But then again, I'm not projecting myself onto Mrs. O. I'm not putting on her, my random values. I'm not looking, searching for something to criticize.
Once again, for those who have forgotten, she's always been about high-low. She'll wear JCrew gloves with a vintage brooch and handmade dress and jacket that probably costs thousands of dollars. She's been switching up and mixing up "everyday wear" with high end fashion since she has been in the spotlight. So why is this such a big deal now? I'm guessing partly it's because people don't like the sneakers.
Anyway, it's not that deep. I just don't understand why people can't just comment about how they don't like her outfit and leave it at that. Why must we now discuss the societal implications of her sneakers? I will repeat - she's always worn high end, as well as affordable clothes. How much do people think the Manolos she was wearing at the inaugural balls cost? How much do people think her 2 favorite pairs Jimmy Choos are? I bet those fierce boots she wore to break ground would make our bank accounts cry. So why are people acting surprised about these sneakers?
Mrs. O is at one time, elite, and at the same time, accessible. That is her...the accidental fashionista, and the normal girl turned First Lady. At times, she'll be normal and repeat clothes, shop at Ann Taylor or Talbots, but at other times, she'll be the First Lady who's also a millionaire. And she shouldn't be afraid to show either side of her.
I whole heartedly agree Iva.
And to add...whenever you get women together to talk about fashion there's bound to be some bickering. Not everyone on this sight holds Michelle in high esteem; they're waiting for a moment...any moment...to knock her off of her dreamy pedestal.
Mrs.O is coming to NYC! Here's a nice update on what Mrs.O will be doing next week on Lynn Sweets FLOTUS Watch blog.
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/04/30/michelle-obama-takes-manhattan-on-tuesday/
@ IVA--right on point with your comments.
Michelle hasn't changed--others can though. She showed exactly the woman she would be for the past two years. I've even seen comments on other threads stating that Mrs. O should dress head to toe designer like Desiree every day of the week. For the whole campaign, Mrs. O mixed up the high end and low end. It's just now, some people and the media are entering their silly phase where it's hard to find something wrong with Michelle. Personally, the sneakers aren't me, but again, that's me. Michelle is her own person and I love it. If she wore Target everyday from head to toe, people would say 'Hey, she's the First Lady and we want to know she can wear a designer label sometimes and not be like the rest of us'.
I love that she's got money (she's a successful woman) and she loves people, gives back and is active in her causes. So she's approachable and rich--sounds good to me! That's someone to admire and aspire to, and that is what is needed today. She never goes over the top everyday, but she's entitled to go over the top if she wants from time to time, because she is married to the leader of the free world.
On a side note, I wish the economy were better because I'd bet there would be a state dinner every month at least--then we could see that spectacular Michelle evening wear. I am very disappointed that because of the recession and the perception of extravagance, we'll probably only get to see events like that every quarter--darn it! The Governor's dinner was early February I think.