Petites Robes Noires
Friday, April 3, 2009 at 1:56 PM 
Photo by Pascal Le Segretain /Getty Images 
Photo by Michael Kappeler/AFP/Getty Images
First Lady Mrs. O and President Mr. O pose for photos with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, her husband Joachim Sauer, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy at the NATO summit. Both Mrs. O and Ms. Bruni-Sarkozy have chosen little black dresses for the event. Mrs. O's dress features a fitted bodice and full skirt - a shilouette we've seen her wear throughout the week.
Update: Mrs. O has added a black bolero to her ensemble.
Update: For those wondering about the designer - Mrs. O wears a knit dress by Paris legend Azzedine Alaia, the New York Times has confirmed. (We must also acknowledge our own Mrs. A, who observed similarity to these Alaia dresses and came to the same conclusion. Well spotted Mrs. A!)
One can't help but draw reference to Camelot here, as Mrs. Kennedy famously wowed the French by wearing Givenchy during her 1961 trip to Paris. Was Mrs. O's choice a thoughtful gesture in respect for her host nation? Based on the amount of planning and thought that has obviously gone into this week's wardrobe, we're of the mind that the answer is almost certainly, yes.
Outfits
Reader Comments (281)
Bruni-Sarkozy is beautiful. but today was clearly Mrs. Obama's day, she outshines her. I like Bruni-Sarkozy's detailed bodice and the clutch, but come on, FLOTUS hands down!
I love the fact that the dress has a bit of flamenco flair no?
Mrs T, Pleeeeeeeeeese upload the picture on the front page with Mrs O in the Bolero - cropped jacket. My gosh Mrs O is fierce, I am still gasping............WOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWW
Is Mrs O's evening frock REALLY Alaia ?? CAN THIS BE TRUE ?
If this is a fact I am swooning as this is one of the most fashion forward designers I can imagine the First Lady wearing and yet another lesser know though greatly talented designer Mrs O is bringing to richly deserved attention for the uninitiated.
He is lauded and respected by his peers - a designers designer.
Mr Alaia works unencumbered and unmindful of the fashion world around him, constantly perfecting his vision of what ever tangent he is currently obsessed with season after season out of his small Parisian atelier and w/ the same dedicated staff he has employed for years.
He is a true artisan.
Once again Mrs O displays her cerebral and maverick fashion sensibility.
Great picture, Jenna. Michelle looks absolutely gorgeous! I think flats would have taken away with the elegance of the outfit. Who cares if she's taller? She's beautiful and is secure in herself and her height. There is nothing worse than a tall woman slouching or wearing flats all the time in a lame attempt to make herself look shorter. She's tall, everyone knows she's tall, why try to deny it with flats? A+, A+, A+!
huh, so I guess all your clients look up to you as if they're looking at a bird up in the sky! Well, I think in the end it would be personal taste, but not 100% when you're the 1st lady.So by protocol I don't mean 19th century old non-sense, but actually some common sense that would fit the setting. When you're in a position of public service it's not just about how "you" feel and what's "comfi"! There is much more to that. Good lord there wasn't a door where she has to lower her head to get in:D
But I think it was a good start for her since I doubt she has ever been to Europe before!
Exquisite...it's one fantastic look after another...even the "perfect black dress" is fashion forward!!!
Anyone know what the French buzz about Mrs. O is? Are the French as smitten as the British were? Vive l'Amerique!
SD
Mrs O's outfits all through the day were 100% home runs!
I loved the jackets( I adore Thakoon), the fushia dress, and the black Alia dress...
love her
i think the german chancellor has very similar style with clinton. if hillary had won the presidency, this was probably what she would be wearing.
yea, michelle is tall. but so what? she should stand straight and be proud of it and wear some 5-inch louboutin!!! LOL
I was just about to comment about Mrs O missing a statement necklace, but after seeing the picture of her with the cropped jacket, there was no need for one. She looks so gorgeous, I am at a loss of words, I am sure our friends back in the US who were kicking up a fuss, De La Renta, Weng, Karan will give a reluctant nod for this look, it is by far the best. It breathes style, chic and very sophisticated. Damn Mrs O looks good enough to eat!
I hope we can all take a moment and realize that Mr. and Mrs. O are making history this week, and we are living to see it. In the years to come, our children and their children will be reading about these events and looking at pictures of these two historic figures. So, while we break the outfits down - debate colors, fabrics, and heels - I hope we remain mindful that we are living history, and on the larger scale, what will endure past shoes, a purse, or a cardigan from JCrew are these 2 incredible individuals rising to this level and leading and representing the greatest country on Earth.
I love, love love the black bolero cropped jacket that she later put on. I can't figure out if I like the jacket on or off. The design is so unique and flattering. It's cropped in such a way that you still see her great curves.
Without the jacket is definitely sexier and invokes confidence in a Vavavavooom way. I also love her hair. Though my hair is not as shiny, I wear my hair exactly like that..I mean EXACTLY. I also have a similar facial structure, so I was eyeing the smokey eye makeup and it gave me ideas the next time I go the makeup counter to wear with my black evening wear. I can't believe a First Lady is giving me so many great ideas, and she's not a model or an entertainer.
I'm so proud of how she's carrying herself.
We get it melony, you hate that you are so tall, and you hate that Mrs. O has embraced her height.
And just so you know, Mrs. O - the Princeton/Harvard law grad - has traveled to Europe before. She's been to Kenya before. She's also been to every state in the union apart from Alaska and maybe a few others. And who knows where else in this world she's been.
Despite the ordinariness of her background, she didn't just fall into becoming First Lady. She's been places, seen things, and met the right people. She knows a thing or two about appropriateness and culture.
I know it can be hard for some to see someone living a life they couldn't even dream of, but you'll be much happier if you focused on the positive, as opposed to what you are displaying now.
I think the bolero jacket is on point! I was just wondering how it would look with a little jacket, et voila!! Gorgeous!
Stunning
PLEASE LOOK AT THESE PICTURES--WOWOWOWOWOW!
democraticunderground dot com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8318195
Michelle looks fantastic. Once again, a fabric choice makes a big difference. Mme. Bruni-Sarkozy looks wrinkled.
Oops--meant to add that if you scroll down to Post #40, you'll see the great detailing and crinoline of the skirt portion while Mrs. O is sitting. Simply elegant.
democraticunderground dot com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8318195
I LOVE this look head to toe, simple , sleek , sexy, and to who ever said she should have worn flats, NO WAY! There is positively nothing wrong w/ her being as tall or taller than the President, who by the way is a very confidant man who wouldn't be insecure if she appeared taller than him.
I'm 6ft and I wear heels, sometimes very high ones, I figure I'm already taller than most w/ flats and I have no problem being taller that the guy
Leah D: Sorry but the "new standards such as wearing a sweater to meet the Queen and crossing your legs however you wish to do so" could be the difference between being appropriate or not. We cannot wear whatever we like all the time or do whatever we want all the time. I just do not follow anyone's behaviors or manners. But after all, do you really think that anyone is changing his/her manners because of what we blog? Relax and have fun, that is why we comment on this blog. Can we all get along? Smile...
melony, Try not to be so patronizing. What are you, 5'0"?
Michelle, Tall And Proud and Beautiful. I love that Nicolas Sarkozy's head comes up to about her shoulder :-)
Mrs. O looks fantastic and original. Carla B. is just playin a part before its on to the next. And those hose have to go!
All pictures are stunning! Carla looks a lil bit serious at times.
IN-CREDIBLE!!!!
The MAKEUP is impeccable! The BRACELET! That little jacket with the dress! The dress NECKLINE! Her SMILE! Her SKIN!
Good grief she is a goddess. Republican, democrat, independent, black, white, hispanic, man, woman, child, mineral, vegetable.....whoever you are this has got to be one ATTRACTIVE WOMAN!!
Posted while smiling.
You know what I also like? The fact that our POTUS is always holding his wife's hand (at least whenever he can) or he has his hand on her back. That's sexy and you can tell they don't fake their relationship.
Well, I've been referred to as several species of birds since I am tall and bony. So, yes, I'm sure some look at me as if they are looking at a bird high in the sky. LOL!
I cannot BELIEVE after all the sh*t that Mrs. Obama has taken for wearing flats, someone would legitimately be arguing against heels with this outfit. I feel like I've stepped into some kind of bizarro-land. Melony, clearly you are new here, because for the past however many weeks there have been people upset over Michelle not wearing a high enough heel, in their "expert" opinions.
I think the point is clear that people will criticize no matter what she does. Ridiculous, but true. Haters will find a way to hate.
And it's not a cardigan, it's a bolero jacket. A lot of people were screaming over the past few days about how she should never wear a cardigan again and stick to something with a little structure -- so she does that, still complaints. So interesting. Speaking as a woman, I see why we have reputations as being vicious and catty. Unbelievable. I gotta stop reading the comment threads. There's so many nice people here, though, mixed up among the Mean Girls.
Her face close up tonight
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/jamgirl86/610x.jpg?t=1238791701
Mrs. O has more than held her own on this trip with her sartorial choices and general gorgeousness (even when photographed next to the much celebrated Carla Bruni-Sarkozy I am delighted to see!)
She has done America proud and will go down in history as one of the leading fashionistas of today. Bravo, Mrs.O!!
Aman to that. Christina!!!! well stated.
Let the church say Amen Christina.
Bottom line Mrs Obama looks fabulous today. I love her LBD and I love her. She exudes grace and elegance but I guess that's why God made us all different because we will all see things differently. She is stunning today and has left me speechless. I have emailed pictures of her to everyone in my addressbook and all I have gotten back is positive remarks. So a few will find fault but the majority of us on this blog think she is simply beautiful...high heels and all.
Christina, I am with you. Bolero jackets have been staples of high fashion for eons, and some people posting here either are not old enough to appreciate the longstanding power of this fashion commodity, or they are not imaginative enough to get that Mrs. O is in Europe and is evoking a look that is classic in that part of the world.
Michelle looks great - plain and simple!
Very well said Christina!
I still can't get over how FANTASTIC she looks!
As for those always complaining about the cardigan, GET OVER IT!
If one has been following Mrs. O, then one should know by now that among her favorites are: cardigans, belts, flats, and kitten heels. So, quit the repetitive complaints already, they are becoming quite annoying.
Good god. I just saw that face shot that's at the top of Mrs. O now, she is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS.
I said here once that one of the reasons I admire her is that she is not a fashion model or movie star with a stylist, or beauty queen - but I take all of that back.
She is all of that and more.
Amen Christina. This blog has been a terrible episode of the Mean Girls movie the past few days. You'd think Mrs. O has been wearing ripped jeans and T-shirts.
That close-up shot is gorgeous. Yowza!
Her daughters must be feeling so proud right now looking at the images of their beautiful mom taking Europe by storm. Along with the love the Obamas give to their kids, these images are going to go a long way in how those 2 little girls feel about themselves - they will conquer the world in the next 10-20 years.
What folks are referring to as a bolero 'jacket' sure does look like a sweater to me - the fabric is thin and the sleeves are pushed up.
If I owned this ensemble, I'd wear it for the next 50 years. It is timeless. Do we know who designed it? This seems very Oscar to me.
If anyone wants close-ups of the dress, head over to Getty Images. They've got everything... the hair/makeup, the bracelet, the dress (looks like knit), the hands, that smile... just wonderful!
And I'm just thrilled that she wore the bolero... they've been a staple in my closet for years. I somehow feel vindicated... lol (j/k)
just to clarify--I love the bolero and think she looks fantastic.
But it seems to be of a soft material not very jackety and more like a sweater. I love it and think it is perfect but since everyone was hating on her sweaters I wanted people to see that she can wear whatever she wants and look beautiful.
I am 100% behind this look ( and for the record i love her cardis too)
Oh breathless!
How positively stunning...
Christina, Tell it like IS girl!!!! Round of Applause and Standing ovation. Secondly, Did you spot out TBG? I did!
Leah, a bolero is shorter than a cardigan and even shorter than a cropped jacket. It usually ends just below the shoulder blades. It can have long sleeves, 3/4 sleeves or even short sleeves. It's similar to today's 'shrugs' but those tend to be even shorter and more body-hugging, usually wrapping directly around the shoulders.
I love that dress.
I love Carla's dress and I really love that purple clutch.
I think Merkel's outfit is great too for a gal in her position.
I love this site, but I am getting tired of the posts slamming the other women Mrs. O is coming in contact with.
I gotta say that the posts lecturing Mrs. Obama about style, posture and etiquette - how to sit???? - are just so over-the-top infantilizing, it's unbelievable. Last time I checked, FLOTUS already has a mother. It reminds me of what we had to endure for two years in order to get President Obama elected. Let Michelle Obama be Michelle Obama.
Thanks everyone, and I agree with you, Jules. I don't want to get all hippy-dippy, but I think it's ugly energy to send out in the world when to compliment someone, you have to bash their companions. Michelle doesn't look great today BECAUSE Carla Bruni somehow looks bad -- Carla Bruni looks great and Michelle looks great. I have plenty of love to go around.
I haven't seen TBG today! I saw him yesterday when Mrs. O was in London at the girl's school, though. Oh, TBG, you wonderful man of mystery, you.
Absolutely beautiful. She looks stunning. I love everything about this look, including the bolero jacket. Good job Mrs. Obama.
ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A Change has truly come to America and the World! Thanks Mrs. O!
WOW! The First Lady looks stunning!
Loving the Azzedine Alaia dress, and her over-piece is not a bolero or jacket, it's a cropped cardigan, possibly an Alaia as well.
That said, She is absolutely gorgeous.
Ms. H,
If you do a search online there are millions of 'bolero sweaters'. Since the one that Michelle is wearing is not a 'lined bolero jacket' it would fall into the sweater category. Here in the USA sweaters can be very long or very short. Perhaps the words that we are using all depend on where in the world we each live.
Well, just before I stagger off to bed I will sing a leetle hallelujah for the sexiest, elegantest, Firstest lady.
Loving the bolero jacket/shrug. Perfect touch. Is she SMOKIN' or what?!
Whoever asked, an LBD is a Little Black Dress. I'm sorry, that was a lot of scrolling and I can't remember who you were. Night!