Sunday
Apr052009
A Statement Bow
Sunday, April 5, 2009 at 9:49 AM 
Photo by Attila Kisbenedek/AFP/Getty Images
First Lady Mrs. O visited St. Vitus Cathedral at Hradcany Square in Prague today, wearing an oversize bow blouse by Moschino, a Michael Kors black pencil skirt and her signature Azzedine Alaia belt. The bow blouse, certainly the focal point of the ensemble, is from Moschino's Spring 2009 collection, seen here.
We've seen several sides to the First Lady's wardrobe this week - at times showing grown-up restraint, and at others, modern femininity. We love, then, that one of her final sartorial notes projects a delightfully fun and playful spirit. For the full graphic effect of the bow blouse with black overcoat, click here.
tagged Alaia, Michael Kors, Moschino in Outfits
Alaia, Michael Kors, Moschino in Outfits
Reader Comments (164)
I just want Mrs. O to be Mrs. O. The outfit without the cardigan or the belt would be better as the stylist have advised but it wouldn't be her unique style. I want her to continue staying true to herself.
She's really been teaching me a lesson: "there's beauty in imperfection." She's no cookie-cutter woman. Her features may not be perceived as the most beautiful in the world, but she is beautiful both inside and out. As much as I love her fashion, I wouldn't want her to obsess over it because then she won't be "having fun with fashion" as she has said she likes to do. Mrs. O hit the ball out of the ballpark in France, which was of course the fashion highlight of this trip. I know she must be exhausted, I hope that she has a week of well deserved rest.
One thing is for sure and what I did not mention. ichelle is strong too and could careless about what others may think. She would have to be strong to come out smelling like roses from the campaign- As our president says, Michelle is his rock"...So the blogging about what Michelle will do is fun and killing a little time. But the bottom line here is that Michelle is an educated, very sharp lady. She will figure out exactly what she needs to do in time with or without a stylist. I'm excited to observe the progress everytime she makes a choice- how much fun is this all for all us fashion followers? cp
Jenna said " I hope we will have an open thread at some point where everyone can rank what their favorite looks from the week were".
Mrs T, in between your very imporatant interviews, I hope you will soon give us the pleasure to vote for our favourite FLOTUS looks for her European Tour.
One of the things Mrs O, emphasized during the White House transition was that she very keen to "keep their lives as normal as possible". I guess that included not hiring stylists.
Personally I dont think Mrs O needs a stylist.
She has won over the harshest fashion critics around the world thus far. She has even landed a vogue cover, she has taken risks and has created the hottest trends along the way at times by breaking the rules. I think she should stick to her formula because it works.
In Terms of styling and fitting her garments; I think Ikram and expert team must have consultations in place, where by they present each piece with styling suggestions on story boards and an out of hours alterations and fitting -
I would think that would be a fundamental part of the exclusive contract Ikram provides for FLOTUS , to minimize third party involvement and its an unspoken law to minimize redcarpet disasters.
I am all for Michelle looking as great as she can but I am completely agaisnt a stylist. She is not a hollywood starlet, she is not a 'media' personality. she is the First Lady who has been close to near perfect on this trip *without* a stylist. This push for her to be look like she is walking down a runway every time is misguided I think. What makes her so appealing to all of us who do not have a stylist is that she dresses for everyday, for special occasions like a real person. The notion that she has to either engage only one designer (De La Renta) or use a stylist like 'media stars' would rob her of some of the magic that makes her choices and the creative flair she uses so fun. IMHO. This is not an expense that she needs.
Valdivia...Your point is well taken. However, Michelle has to be the "First Lady" to everyone. Although very expensive, j. crew would not be my choice on many occasions- its over priced and something I might wear to a Parent teacher meeting, not formal affairs. You do not have to look like "working a runway" to be elegantly and appropriately dressed for a very special occasion
Mrs Obama has such a great presence and style. No doubt.
...but sometimes she really screwed it uo.
It is not necesary to dress like a nun to visit a Cathedral and it was awful to see her wearing a sweater to visit the Queen at Palace.
I hope she can get some advice. With a little bit of help she can be a 10!...11!
I think that some here equate getting a stylist to "not keeping it real" or somehow trying to change who Mrs. O is. Getting a clothing stylist to keep her clothes looking right is no more about changing who she is than having someone style her hair or do her makeup. Mrs. O didn't have a hairstylist on call before. Yes,she'd get her hair done for big events, but on the campaign trail, she would do her own hair. She did an ok job, but it wasn't the same look as having a professional do her hair. Same with the makeup. I don't think she's any less real than she was on the campaign now that she has a full time hairstylist. I'm glad she got a full time hairstylist, because there were times when her hair would be hit and miss. That's not the case any longer. Same with the makeup. It only enhanced her beauty while at the same time, taking the focus off of her hair. After she got a hairstylist, he didn't give her braids or constantly give her updos or drastically cut her hair. He basically softened her look. It's still the same Michelle, but with more punch and shine to her hair.
That's what a clothing stylist would do. It wouldn't change her style, but it would give her the punch she needs to be polished at all public appearances and actually take the focus off the clothes.
Michelle Obama is a practical woman. She realized the benifit of getting hair and makeup professionally done so she's done that. She realized her eyebrows were too sharp, she's softened them. Whenever she realizes that an occassional bad outfit garners more press than the good work she does, she will get a stylist. That's not selling out, that's being practical. I think it's selfish of those who say they don't want her to "change" because her fashion mistakes make her more real to them. If unflattering outfits is what makes Michelle real to you, then you haven't been paying attention to what she's about.
I remember in the campaign, Michelle would make harmless jokes about Barack leaving his socks lying around and snoring in bed. And she got criticized for that, unfairly of course. But people were missing the amazing message of her upbringing and her thoughts on what her husband could do for the country. Bad press about her jokes far outweighed the press about what a great campaigner this woman was! And so Michelle said, in an interview, that she stopped the jokes for that very reason. She said, if the joke gets in the way of the message, well I'll just leave out the joke.
I think some of you would are selfish in that you want her to take this bad press that could totally be avoided if she had a stylist because you want her to be a victim. Just my opinion based on posts on this blog. Look, if she does get a stylist, don't think it makes her less real. It just makes her savvy. And of course well dressed.
@CP you forget that it was Mrs O's J crew ensemble that had the British gushing and hit frontpage news, so lets not confuse style and designer labels. Mrs O has shown that you can have mad style without the designer label or the stylist!
Ahem.
Insert my comment from yesterday here.
I really like it when somebody calls her "brave". Means this outit is headed for the memory hole ASAP...
Each piece is OK, I especially like the pencil skirt. I like the black and white she's been wearing, you can't go wrong, well, almost never!
Seriously...why is the belt under her breasts with the shirt pooching out under it. Shoes..blah.
Accessorize..accesorize..accessorize
cp--I guess my point is that for all the issues people have had on this blog with her outfits and the 'appropriateness' of what she wore the audience it was intended for--fashion editors the world round, the europeans, etc--all went ga ga for her and what she wore. we may not personally like one outfit or another or would have worn something different but she did this and won the week *without* a stylist so why push now for her to become what all the media celebrities are and what we 'expect' of her. Even if I did not like some stuff (the coat on Friday in Paris was not my thing) I get what she is doing and I am pretty sure this is what people are responding to.
Do we know for sure that she has no "stylist" on this trip? I imagine she has someone around that's helping her get dressed, although the person may be casual help. From the themes of her pieces - preppy and smart in London, sexy and chic in France/Germany/Prague, I think Mrs. O sought advice of more than just Ikram for this week's adventure.
But, I think at the end of the day, Mrs. O is going to wear what she likes. If the shirt doesn't quite sit perfectly in front, I think she's ok with that. Maybe it's not polished and perfect, but that's not what Mrs. O is striving for.
I just think we all need to come to grips with who Mrs. O is. She's not setting out to be some kind of supermodel First Lady with never a hair out of place. She doesn't have the time, and I don't think she even has the desire. I think she's ok with her imperfections. I think she's ok if something doesn't quite work with an outfit - so long as it doesn't offend, and so long as she likes it.
I think we are taking her clothing, and her decision to dress the way she does a bit too seriously. She's a woman who likes clothes, who understands the message her clothing can send, but who doesn't intend to be defined by her looks.
A perfectly placed, always polished and prim Mrs. O is not "the closer" Mrs. O who for 2 years on the trail, talked about her passion being her hubby, her kids, and the well-being of her country - not her clothes.
Through no planning of her own, WE have made her into this fashion icon. WE picked up on her style, and on the way she dresses. WE reacted to her appearance, fell in love with her, and now WE are projecting our expectations onto her. WE want a pitch perfect look at all times. WE want not a belt too high, not a shoe too low. But Michelle, wants to wear her belt at her high waist. Michelle wants to wear kitten heels with a certain outfit. Michelle likes the big bow as a different take on the classic white shirt. And Michelle doesn't want to be fussed over with alterations and fittings with everything she wears.
Mrs. O is an accidental fashionista (that was the title of an article on huffpost) and I don't think she intends to turn into a purposeful fashionista.
I bet our 1st lady wishes she was just as dowdy as some of the past 1st ladies. I can't recall an outfit of former FL Laura, Hillary, or Barbara (all the ones since I've been alive)that I vaguely liked. They didn't stand out... and they had stylists. Now, we have a young (er), shapely, stylish FL who we can identify with, and if she wears one bad outfit, she needs a stylist ( I'm all for it if she can stay true to what most have come to love about her. However, I still believe that there will be people to complain about something they don't like.) There have been some outfits that she has worn that I haven't liked but the majority did, and vice versa. It just takes me to "you can please some of the people all of time... but you can't please all of the people all of the time." You get the point. I am immensely proud of the way Mrs. O represents US at home and abroad. So, if she gets a stylist- sure, if she doesn't- good for her!
a sort of ps I saw all the sunday morning pundit shows and overwhelmingly they were all awed by michelle and the thing that got the most mention--the fact that she was seen as real by the world because she did not seem pretentious with her clothes.
Some of you here opine as if Michelle was purely a public figure because she is a beautiful woman and the clothes she wears. Her realm is *politics*, the choices she makes are not just about her personal style but how they will be seen in the political arena. Those who think she will 'get trashed' for her outfits do not get that if she were to get a stylist *this is what would be news*. Shades of elitism, wastefulness, etc.
As exciting as it is to have a First Lady who is a fashion icon this is *not* her main role and it is *not* what she should be focused on, which is why getting a stylist is a bug no-no not just because it will take the magic of who she is to those who are not obsessive fashionistas like us, but because it would very bad *politically*.
mrs. o sais she wears what SHE LIKES, and not what others like. Good for her
Point is well taken Mona...But just imagine how much more Michelle would of dazzled the press and everyone else with even more tasteful designers. J. Crew is much to over rated, priced and making it big time off of Michelle. As time goes on, I am certain that Michelle will acquire the desire for even more selections of choice, not necessarily "designer" ware, but other more appropriate selections period. Its not the designer, it's the style- j crew is much too casual and much to expensive too. So what good is it appearing to be "casual" when you are paying over $800.oo for a sweater that is not appropriate for the affair?
IVA- very well said... we are here :: (eye to eye)!
Well, it's pretty simple, really. Keeping it real means that she is true to herself and her taste, regardless of how others would like to style her. She will never meet the impossible task of satisfying everyone. Some obviously think she's missed the mark somehow. But she chooses her clothing, so what should be equally obvious is that FLOTUS does not agree. These are her choices, given the clear priorities in her life.
I just wanted to point out that I think she was also wearing this blouse under the coat and flowered cardigan the day before (with the bow tucked in under the cardigan).
lovely. i think she is trying to be respectful of where she is visiting today, safe but respectful, so not to offend religious people. i love her/them!
Work that bow, Mrs. O! Work it!
I love that outfit so much I want to marry it.
I agree with valdivia, no stylist. One of the great things about Michelle is that she is unique and self assured. No stylist, no Stepford politician's wife makeover. She is a great example to women everywhere.
This is kind of a bizarre thread, by the way. Suddenly most everyone posting has decided that after this week of fabulous, individual clothes, Michelle needs a stylist? If I were a paranoid person, I'd think the freepers had regrouped and decided on a new tack.
On another note, since she obviously loves that belt, I would like to see her get a couple of similar but not identical ones to wear.
This outfit is bad, and does nothing for her figure. That bow is HORRIBLE. The belt placement right under it is horrible. No color. I don't like this outfit at all.
That Azzedine Alaia belt looks so hideous with her outfit. Horrors! She should leave that belt off with such a blouse.
@Cp where are you getting the $800 figure from? Lets get our facts right; According to NYDaily news The cream-colored "crystal constellation" sweater Michelle wore only cost ($298) (and her "dazzling dots" skirt cost $158).
Trudy,
I'm not going to bother to count but from what I've read, not "everyone" is saying Michelle needs a stylist. My freeper radar is not going off. The pro-stylist comments have been interesting and not at all derogatory. Just wander on to Huffpo and sample some of their comments. Some of them are so toxic you need a Hazmat suit to read them. (I don't) This site, for the most part, has been a real haven.
For those suggesting a stylist, here is something to consider:
Remember November 4, 2008?! She wore a dress that many did not like calling it a "lava lamp." You would think Mrs. O would drop the designer from her list after that, but Mrs. O clearly loved the dress and has worn Narcisco Rodriguez repeatedly since that day. Even with all of the negative press that she received for that dress she still continues to take profound risks with her clothes....whether its wearing argyle or big bows. She's daring and its her individual style.
I really don't foresee her hiring a stylist. If she was going to she would have done it after all of the negative press that came from her red and black November 4th dress with the cardigan. (OH!, another good point, she's still wearing cardigans....even to see the Queen!!).
Even with all of the fuss over her beautifully sculpted arms, she was wearing sleeveless dresses at the G-20 and NATO. This said, Mrs. O really isn't worried about opinions of her clothes. She wears what she likes and what she feels comfortable in.
well said IVA
for Mrs. O to somehow "change" her style, would be the end of the Mrs. O that we have all come to love and admire
so here is to Mrs. O NOT getting a stylist, and staying true to herself, and her style!
Have to leave this site for now...Have to run...However we must all remember. Michelle and our President are no longer the "same". They both are the President and First lady of the most powerful country in the free world. Many things will chance whether they or WE like it or not. When you take any new and exciting promotion, you are still the same in many regards, but STILL must rise to the occasion of this new position in many any other respects- it's your new responsibility to do so. Both will make mistakes- however because of having a wonderful solid education and intelligence, they will BOTH fit the shoes they have been promoted to and rise to whatever they need to adapt to, including apropriate attire. It comes with the territory, we allmust adapt to our environment and then CHANCE IT. In this case, the Obama's seem to bring with them much honest care,compassion and passion that make them who they are, not a designer(s). They both are doing a wonderful job and will make the necessary and appropriate adaptations that their positions demand ..."Keeping it real" is all relative...cp
I have not posted before but I love this site and love Mrs. O. I have honestly loved everything Mrs. O has worn on this trip- some things better than others - but think she has been on point at every turn. So it pains me to say so, but this one was a disaster. Maybe she's been in Europe long enough - time to come home! Still love you Mrs. O!!!
I love the shirt and the bow, but I agree with the other commenters that she could have lost the belt and just tucked the shirt in. There's too much going on with both as focal points. I really love every outfit she's worn on this trip so far, but with this one, the belt makes the outfit look awkward.
Such a great shirt though. I hope she wears it again, sans belt. (Though I do normally like her belted looks too.)
I think this is a case when you assemble your outfit then look in the mirror and take one accessory off. This time it should have been the belt.
Just FYI the model in the link Mrs. T provided which shows the shirt, is wearing a belt with it too.
http://newsroom.mtv.com/2009/04/03/michelle-obamas-top-five-outfits-from-the-first-couples-european-trip/
I'm a no on the bow.
Is that Rahm Emanuel with her in the yahoo pics?
This is such a brilliant site. Kudos to Mrs T for bring us this beautiful outlet, where we can recognise the beauty of such a powerful black woman - our darling Mrs O.
About Mrs O giving up cardigans, I dont think that will happen. They can be very addictive, for me they are like a comfort blanket, I have loads of them in different colors and I have a selection for different occasions too, they are easy to carry and tuck easily in most handbags!
Some women prefer shrugs,stoles or shawls, Mrs O should be allowed to keep her cardigans in peace.
I really understand where Mrs O is coming from, cardigans don't really distract/take away from the main outfit one is wearing with them and they also help to keep one warm.
Isnt it interesting to note, that the Queen broke her own protocol by cozying up to Mrs O, apart from the warm personality, I am sure there was something soothing about running her hand on the back of Mrs O's cardigan (maybe another cardigan lover too?).
If along with her fantastic brain comes the occasional kooky cardigan or fashion oddity, I don't care at all.
I'll most happily take a woman who can address a girl's school so movingly and reciprocate QEII's hug and do everything else that MO has on her agenda along with her fashion funk any day and every day.
ok - how many ways form sunday can she wear the same black sweater - ?
time for some color - doesn't have to be black to be classic.
and yes, she is great and blah de blah.
How much fun has Mrs. O been having with her clothes this week?! I must confess, I am jealous. A great fun trip and a great wardrobe. Yes, a few minor mis-steps here and there but you know what? She's stepped up onto the world stage and, for the most part, done so beautifully and has looked like she's been enjoying herself. Bravo, Mrs. O.
Why, oh why, did Mrs. O. not tuck that blouse in and wear the belt at her waist? This is going to start the inevitable pregnancy rumors, for sure.
Christen, pregnancy rumors only among people with no knowledge of biology. At Mrs. O's age, fertility is zero unless donated eggs are used.
Count me in as a person who believes that Mrs. Obama needs a stylist. At times, she nails it (like the NATO dinner). Other times, she does not (like today). She is too hit and miss, and could and deserves to look even better.
And why no black designers this week? I am miffed that she keeps overlooking the wonderful black ones out there (yes, I'm aware that she's worn Tracy Reese and Kai Milla).
It's very refreshing to come here. Huffington Post is extremely sickening these days..especially when it comes to Mrs. O. Nothing wrong with criticisms, but it is so vile and racist over there these days. I pop over now and again for the photos only.
...I agree that Mrs. O should not have a "stylist" in the way we know one to be, but I'm sure she gets and will continue to get feedback and consultations through Ikram, though maybe not everyday. I doubt Michelle will ever hire someone full-time, but for special events at the White House and traveling abroad--I'm sure there will be more assistance for her since she is so popular now around the world.
I love her sense of style, though I do not agree all the time, like wearing the belt today. I love the bow shirt without the belt, tucked in. But that's just a small difference. The fact that she chose this ensemble and was bold enough to wear it with such confidence shows she does not need someone to pick out her clothes, but maybe just check for fit and tailoring.
In light of our economic times, Mrs. O doesn't get a chance to glam it up, but my all time favorite was the gown with grey sequins all over (Peter Sorenson?) that she wore at the first state dinner at the WH for the governors. She has the styling chops herself for sure. It's just she may not get a chance to show that side that often or the righties will come out in full force b/c of the recession.
I sure wish our economy was straight right now, b/c I would love to see her in a ball gown like once a week. She would knock it out the park everytime. Her evening gowns back in Chicago were really nice back in the senator days. People would be surprised that Michelle does evening a lot more polished and close to perfection than she does day looks. It's actually her strength. You would see that more if she was in France longer. The US knows how you have to dress there, but the press will tear her up if she glammed up here right now.
Mona,
It was the argyle sweater that cost $800, the one she wore over the teal dress when she went to the girls school.
-------
My opinion regarding a stylist - she doesn't need one.
In one of the newspapers in France they called Michelle "the princess of the people".
I want Michelle to continue to wear what she wants and how she wants to wear the items.
When a blouse makes her belly look large, her panty-line shows, or her slacks cling to her ankles it shows that she is human just like the rest of us.
Everyone must keep in mind that the photographers are there to capture Michelle's look - not the other way around - Michelle is not dressing 'for' for the photographers. She is not a model and should not be expected to be 'polished' like a model or any of the other ex-first ladies.
I saw the president running up the steps of Air Force One alone this morning and my first thought was 'thank goodness, now we can all take a break from this obsession for a bit'.
I gotta say I love the coat that Livia Klausova was wearing...
Mrs. O looked great, smart traveler with her mix and match wardrobe.
I wonder if maybe, just maybe, Mrs. O thinks that in this economy a stylist would be a colossal waste of money and a PR nightmare. They are already paying for the re-decorating themselves....
I also wanted to add:
I think it would be nice if Azzedine Alaia would send Michelle a few belts in different colors and styles. We have seen enough of the black one for awhile.
p.s. I LOVE the big-bowed blouse, and I am VERY happy that she left her brooch collection home during this trip. My grandmother 'always' wore brooches on her dresses and I think of her every time Michelle wears one. Variety is the spice of life.
...I've been thinking a little more on what I wrote above. Michelle's strength is her evening looks. She has not dropped the ball with that. The woman is an evening wear powerhouse. I've watched tons of her evening choices before Barack was elected--she has the evening look down. I still love a lot of her day looks, but it really is true that her evening wear (if allowed to do it up) is quite chic and glamorous. We may never get to see that much.
I'm hoping that Michelle will host more state dinners and host other countries for diplomacy so everyone can see how formidable she is in that area.
However, back in Chicago her day looks weren't glamorous. Nice and professional, yes, but not outstanding. She was like you and I during the day and workweek...and then Michelle was vavavooommm in the evening. Kind of how she surprised us at the NATO concert.
I love her clothing choices and her natural ability to spot clothes she really loves. It's overwhelming for me sometimes.
Christen,
I do NOT think that there will be pregnancy rumors. 24 hours ago while stepping off of the plane in Prague Michelle had on a tight fitted black dress with no baby bump. You do not grow a baby bump in one day!
Sorry to post again, but
"Christen, pregnancy rumors only among people with no knowledge of biology. At Mrs. O’s age, fertility is zero unless donated eggs are used. "
I just had to laugh.
Dude, she's not 60. I promise you us 45 year old women do still get pregnant...normally in a "surprise! it was not menopause, but a baby!" alllllll the time.
Ewwww, why in the world would Michelle EVER get a stylist?! I don't know if you people have noticed, but the world loves her. Who the hell cares. Reading these comments make me mad. Hiring a stylist just to get clothes? That are probably not her style at all? When millions of people are homeless and jobless? LMFAO, insane.