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)
Unfortunately, this is an awful outfit. I don't mind the bow in itself, but then there should not have been any other distractions, such as the belt. The belt is totally inappropriate here, and placed too high. It's just awful, the belt in this outfit. Haven't had time to read the other posts, so apologies for that. The coat is pretty, the skirt is plain but nice. Why all the black in the last few days???
I loved the bow blouse in black on the Moschino model. It's a sleeveless blouse and I think the blouse works much better that way, in its proper context. I hope Michelle wears it again without a jacket. With her arms, it will look fabulous. It's a gorgeous piece!
Kathy,
I didn't know it was sleeveless! I'm sure we'll see this blouse again this spring and summer, easily.
I am British, and admire Mrs. O for a great deal more than just her fashion choices. The Obama’s made a huge impact on us Brits during their UK trip, especially Mrs. O, a.k.a “Brand” Michelle / “Magic” Michelle in the UK press. To be honest, we miss them. We embrace her individual sense of style, and see no need for outside intervention. Mrs. O will fine tune her look naturally in due course with or without the aid of a stylist. The charming Mrs. O is on course to becoming a well respected/loved global figure in her own right. I do not doubt for one second that Mrs.O is not aware of this. She enjoys fashion but will not be defined by the clothes she wears.
I want to leave you with this article which pretty sums up how most Brits feel about her:
http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/fashion/article6041614.ece
chimene, fair comment about the possibility of a baby. You're right about the risks. And it's not like Michelle doesn't have enough to do as it is! I take back what I wrote. (I admit I was feeling sentimental and projecting my own desire for a grandchild.)
Kathy B, I agree that the bow blouse in black on the model looked much better than the white one did on Michelle. And Tess we probably will see this same blouse sans cardigan later on. At least I hope so. It's interesting to compare the same piece of clothing worn different ways.
I really liked this story about Michelle's response to a woman in the front row on why she decided on the big bow. Funny the way she thinks. Nice pictures too. http://bulldogmi.com/bigbowbymichelleo
Somewhere between the Moschino runway show and this photo, that bow lost something in the translation. The bow (ubiquitous in his Spring 2009 collection) is supposed to be fairly stiff and horizontal, and it lies at the front of a moderately high rounded neckline. A vertical folded drape of fabric comes over the top of the bow and is supposed to fall naturally (at least to the waistline and, in some cases, down the front of a dress).
It appears that the coat/sweater and belt caused the problem. The coat/sweater pulled the blouse forward and the belt grabbed the whole thing too high, spoiling the vertical drape. This look is not intended to be broken by anything above the waistline, and the bow is intended to be horizontal, not drooping in pussy cat fashion.
Have a look at Moschino runway Spring 2009 slideshow. You'll see a lot of this bow:
http://www.moschino.com/home.asp
One more quick observation: Sometimes Mrs. O looks like her upper body is slumping forward. The bold belts worn high under the bust exacerbate this look, emphasize it. Have a look at the photos in Brenda's article on Big Bows (just up the thread).
Just found the blouse where it is offered for sale at the Moschino site. The url is too long to post in any form. The blouse is tent-shaped, quite full at the bottom. It has slightly gathered fullness across the back of the neckline. It is suggested that this blouse be worn with casual slacks. In the fabric offered (not named but appears to be medium weight cotton?) it would be too full to tuck in and very difficult to wear successfully under any kind of a sweater or jacket. Might work belted at the waist with a peplum effect depending on how long it is - might not have been long enough for Mrs. O to do this.
Challenging clothes like this design (which is not one of Moschino's best looks - and $800!!!) might best be saved for another venue, if purchased at all.
I'm with Cyndi on this. I love the blouse. Obviously you need the right occassion for it and I admit it would not suit a small lady. It is clear that Michelle gave thought to her wardrobe before she set off on her trip to Europe. It's a big bow to Europe at the end of a successful tour.
Tess:
I agree with you about Ikraim Goldman. She should ditch her. The sooner the better.
I am not sure that I agree that she needs a stylist, just someone with constructive criticism to give her pointers.
Oscar de la Renta designs great outfits, but if she likes the younger designers, then she should stick with what she is more comfortable with.
I've also stated many times that Mrs. Obama is short-waisted and needs to discard every belt in her closet (keeping the ones to wear in her belt loops). Belts are not becoming on her, neither are pleats.
She, and she alone, needs to figure out what works for her body type and stick with it. She has a great figure. There are plenty of different looks that will work well for her figure.
Spot on Lydia and thank you JJ for the U.K perspective...
It's so amusing most of these posts...So many know-it-all's with what sound like incredibly awful and disastrous tastes in fashion and yet they insist on projecting them on the first lady-
It's different strokes for different folks, guys! Whether you like it or not...
And where some like Maria Pinto, there are those of us who find her clothes extremely boring...We are of the Junya, Alaia, McQueen, Rick Owens extraction...
And about stylists; we've seen the handiwork of some of the so-called great ones and we've been appalled!
Style, taste, fashion...totally subjective!
Mrs Obama...uniquely and absolutely divine! Here's hoping she doesn't change a thing...
Why does Mrs. Obama keep wearing that huge, thick, ugly BELT on everything???
She is setting the style for having a belt up over your BELLY, because J.C. Penney's now has that same look on spring dresses.
But it looks like she wears that same thick belt on every type of dress and blouse. I think it makes her belly look like it's bulging.
Other First Ladies try to look like they have a flatter tummy.
thanks !! very helpful post!