The Week in Review
Sunday, April 5, 2009 at 3:45 PM 
Photo by Stefan Rousseau / Getty Images
We honestly don't know how our President and First Lady survived this whirlwind of a week. Six days, four countries, and for Mrs. O , ten (10!) thoughtfully, often symbolically, selected ensembles. Let's recap:
Tuesday (Washington D.C., London) #1 Ivory tulle tweed coat with grosgrain trim by Thakoon worn over a black Michael Kors dress and paired with an oversize rose jewel brooch #2 Chartreuse Jason Wu cocktail dress, paired with a black Michael Kors duster and studded Alaia belt
Wednesday (London) #3 J.Crew Constellation sweater in ivory with beading and sequins paired with Dazzling dots mint green pencil skirt #4 Ivory and black silk crepe dress by Isabel Toledo, paired with a black Azzedine Alaia cardigan, and black satin opera coat by Jason Wu
Thursday (London) #5 Junya Watanabe argyle, asymmetric cardigan, paired with a full-skirted teal dress by Jason Wu and Jimmy Choo "Glacier" pumps
Friday (Strasbourg, Baden Baden) #6 Floral silk jacquard dress with black mesh trim and coordinating, reverse print coat, both by Thakoon #7 Black knit and ruched dress worn with black bolero jacket, both by Azzedine Alaia
Saturday (Strasbourg, Prague) #8 Cropped, double-breasted black jacket with leather detailing at the seams by Azzedine Alaia, paired with black trousers; floral Etro top and white blouse worn underneath #9 Fitted Narciso Rodriguez black knit dress paired with Azzedine Alaia black bolero jacket and black kitten heels
Sunday (Prague) #10 Oversize white bow blouse by Moschino, worn with a black pencil skirt by Michael Kors, black cardigan and studded belt, both by Azzedine Alaia
The genuine multiplicity that exists in Mrs. O's wardrobe was on full display this week. We saw her style oscillate between demure and daring, restrained and whimsical, vintage-inspired and avant garde. Though already described as a style icon, which she undoubtedly is, we imagine Mrs. O's fashion sense will be known for many things, rather than one iconic image that perfectly encapsulates her style.
She is a multi-dimensional woman, with a multi-dimensional wardrobe to suit. There was much speculation with regard to what the week would bring style wise. Would Mrs. O embrace a French designer as Jackie Kennedy had in 1961 when she famously wore Givenchy? Mrs. O would, wearing a dress and coat by Azzedine Alaia while in Strasbourg, France (as well as a cardigan and belt by the designer throughout the week).
Would she continue to champion her favorite American designers? Indeed, as ensembles from Jason Wu, Thakoon and Isabel Toledo were all sartorial stand-outs. Would there be any "high-low" mixing? While not exactly "low", more reasonable options from J.Crew again entered the mix, and more than held their own with chic sparkle. Might Mrs. O play it safe? We need not say more than Junya Wantanabe (though we are still practicing the pronunciation). The image at the top of this post, in which Mrs. O wears a black satin opera coat by Jason Wu as she walks into Buckingham Palance, represents our favorite look of the week - radiating a romantic, effortless chic from start to finish. We would love to hear your favorites please.
Alaia, Jason Wu, Junya Watanabe, Michael Kors, Moschino, Thakoon in Outfits
Reader Comments (128)
Did anyone look closely at the white blouse she wore under the jacket on Saturday? It looks like the Moschino bow blouse in retrospect.
My favorite, hands-down, was the J Crew ensemble. So refreshing - so much like Spring!
On the topic of a stylist...a good stylist (whether the field is fashion or decor) does not try to change the look, but rather tweak it, in particular for the camera. Some things that look great to the naked eye look less than great when viewed through the lens, and vice-versa. It would fine and good for Mrs O to consult with a stylist and I'll bet she already has.
I, at 62, am taking great pleasure in watching Mrs. O break some silly old fashion rules. Bare arms, hoseless legs, cardigans in place of jackets... INspired (make that "freed") by Mrs. O, last weekend I went to a black tie event in New England with bare legs for the first time in a long time. And I have taken out all my old costume jewelry for a second look. Now I hardly ever leave the house without a brooch or two) somewhere on my attire.
Thanks...I love this website!
@Elbe - it certainly looks a lot like the bow blouse - the neck detail is very similar but it isn't the same blouse. The blouse on Saturday had tails. Compare Saturday here: www.daylife(dot)com/photo/0e643fG9iZ05A?q=Michelle+Obama and Sunday here: www.daylife(dot)com/photo/0f1Q0LI9LlgsP?q=Michelle+Obama The bow on Sunday's blouse is integrated into the blouse with no tails.
Rats! Tried to avoid moderation without success...
@Elbe - it certainly looks a lot like the bow blouse - the neck detail is very similar but it isn’t the same blouse. The blouse on Saturday had tails. Compare Saturday here: daylife(dot)com/photo/0e643fG9iZ05A?q=Michelle+Obama and Sunday here: daylife(dot)com/photo/0f1Q0LI9LlgsP?q=Michelle+Obama The bow on Sunday’s blouse is integrated into the blouse with no tails.
Elbe and Virginia, I'm glad you saw it, too. I posted on the bow blouse thread late last night, when I returned from the weekend. It is clearly the same blouse.
Mrs. O and Gramdma in Chief are on the over of the May issue of Essence. Michelle is wearing a new belt. Purple with studs. Cute.
Nice article on CNN on Michelle's style during the trip:
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/04/06/michelle.obama.europe/
Tess, where did you see this cover? I have been poking around for it with so such luck.
Essence cover is on jackandjillpoliticsdotcom.
Hey, is it just me or does Michelle's mom's hair have a slightly reddish/bronze tint? I absolutely LOVE it. I think that shade would look amazing on Michelle...although Michelle has that really shiny, healthy hair that the chemicals from a dye job would probably not be helping.
The Thursday outfit with the cool cardigan was my favorite, but I loved the sparkly cream cardigan and green skirt the day before. I also loved all the little black dresses.
Her best outfit was the one in which she boarded the plane in Washington. The asymmetric argyle sweater was too odd, but the teal skirt was wonderful. The beaded sweater would have been just about right for a housemother at a New England boarding school in 1957. The black and white dress was dull, and the shiny opera coat is for evening wear or perhaps rainwear. The coat and dress reverse print ensemble are more suitable for an older woman. The black, full-skirted dress that she wore with the bolero was great but the bolero seemed out of place and out of proportion. Similarly, the double-breasted-black jacket seemed to be a size too small and the trousers she wore with it did not fit properly through the crotch. The fitted black dress with the bolero was dull and again, the bolero seemed to be a mismatch. The oversize bow looked silly, especially with the white hem hanging out on her back. Kitten heels should not be worn by anyone over 17. The cut-in-two look with the belts is peculiar. Overall, a lot of color, followed by a lot of black. Too many oddities, with the belt, the bolero, the too tight jacket, the kitten heels, and both beading and satin worn during the daytime.
I love Michelle's hair dark and her Mom does look amazing in the Essence Cover. Great cover, one of the best, IMHO.
Info !!! #9 the black dress under the bolero by Alaia it was by Narciso Rodriguez
That big white bow looks like a pigeon stuck on her chest.
Her clothes are interesting, but they all look bad on her. She truly needs help in choosing fashions that flatter her because she is not a naturally attractive woman.
Most of the time it looks as if she's raided her daughters' closet of 'tween fashions.
As a 58 year old white Canadian woman, I can only say that I am continuously stunned by Michelle's beauty, grace and style. Every look inspires me. Her every word inspires me! Although it is somewhat apples and oranges to raise the comparison with Jackie O and her trip to Europe with JFK, Michelle would win any competition in my books. Jackie O was money and the remoteness that comes with money though to her credit, as a young first lady, she did attempt to de-mystify the role. But watching Michelle with the young students in London moved me to tears and the way she held her own with the powerhouses around was a sight to behold. Thanks for this great site!!
Anon,
If you don't think Mrs. O is naturally attractive and think all her clothes look bad on her, why are you here?
Please, go because you have nothing substantive about fashion to contribute.
Thanks for hipping me to the rules!
If anyone else would like to chime in, constructively of course, I would appreciate it!
Also, anyone who saw that picture of Mrs. O getting off the plane in Praque and didn't see a beautiful, stylish, woman is crazy! That was a beautiful picture of a beautiful woman! Wow!
Congrats on the book, Mrs T!
Yes, doing a book this year is probably a better strategy than waiting four years from now, although I'm certain each year will bring so many exciting fashion choices from our phenomenal First Lady. I wish you all the best. I'm sure that Mrs. O will appreciate your superb commentary.
My fave is the J.Crew outfit by far!!
First of all, I'd like to congratulate and thank Mrs. T on this wonderful site and her upcoming book on Mrs. O. I'll be one of the first in line to buy it.
Now, with regard to my favorites - I LOVED THEM ALL. Mrs. O could do no worng in my eyes! The past week was one of the most exciting, exhausting and exhilarating of my LIFE! I was running home from work everyday going straight to the TV to turn on CNN so that I could catch a "glimpse" of the latest outfit! Then I would spend hours on this site reading all of the comments - LOL. My husband says I am addicted and I agree.
I am just so proud and thankful that we have a first couple who were so well spoken, received and loved by all of Europe! Most of all, their love for each other is just so obvious and inspiring. Mrs. O could step off Air Force One wearing a paper bag and Pres. Obama's grin would be just as wide as it was for this entire trip. It's just plain to see that this man truly loves and adores his wife and she feels the same way about him - how refreshing. The entire trip was just Magnificent!!!!
Mrs O did an outstanding job last week representing our country with grace and glamour...which is more than I can say about more recent first ladies. Liked most of what she wore, (even the Watanabe cardigan...perfectly chic for a visit to a girls school) except really disliked the yellow dress with black duster and belt. Just all wrong for me. Dress is too short on her. She does have nice legs from the knee down, but I would save shorter lengths for more casual outings. For her first foray onto the international scene, I think one of her longer sheath looks would have been more appropriate and definitely more chic. The duster looked like it didn't fit and belt looked awkward (though I love the belt). She looks fabulous in color; looks good in black too, but sometimes I think she wears too much of it. I like it when she wears black with a pop of color or bright white. Don't get me wrong, what women doesn't love black and it is the go to color in most of our closets, but all black is dull on women of color. I agree also with the poster who mentioned she could use a stylist to assist with fit. The Alaia jacket was definitely a bit snug and short on her. Pants are not her best look (and that's lucky for her because most women wear pants when they can't wear dresses i.e. Hillary). I think someone should advise her, if she wants to wear pants, what style she can wear best with what style and length jacket. It's all about proportion when it comes to two piece dressing.
One last thing...her hair and makeup looked flawless. Gorgeous!
Faves for the week:
-Teal dress and cardigan (playful flare-schoolgirls loved it)
-Black Alaia dress (dramatic evening - the all black works because she showed some skin; translation-those beautiful arms. The bracelet (moonstone or diamond whatever) was the perfect 'pop', elegant accessory for the dress.
-Thakoon floral print coat and fushia sheath dress (fresh daytime chic - especially next to CB dull gray number)
And while our eyes were on Michelle Obama
President Obama had:
18 meetings with world leaders
2 major speeches
2 townhalls
6 press conferences
America has a wonderful President and First Lady
Wow, I just don't know how they did it! They both must be exhausted.
Okay.
I have not been able to get the satisfaction that I desire over this whole sweater controversy.
So I did some googling. I found a picture of Carla Bruni leaving a private meeting with the Queen wearing pants. Pants okay? Sweater not okay? It was a nice pants suit, granted, but a pants suit nonetheless.
I also found a picture of Carla Bruni in a stunning, amazing black dress at a formal dinner with the Queen. So much for never wearing black around the queen.
I'm late to comment but I was traveling...
First off, I think Mrs O did beautifully marking her first overseas trip as the FLOTUS.....She showed warmth, sincerity and grace that shouldn't be overlooked...
Style-wise I thought she stayed true to herself and that is the most important.... The designers that she wore were the designers she's been wearing so nothing looked too out of place or uncomfortable which was the point...
My faves..
1. Floral silk jacquard dress with black mesh trim and coordinating, reverse print coat, both by Thakoon
I honestly hate florals but I really liked this look on her.
2. Black knit and ruched dress worn with black bolero jacket, both by Azzedine Alaia
loved this look. It was young,and flirty but still chic.
3. Fitted Narciso Rodriguez black knit dress paired with Azzedine Alaia black bolero jacket and black kitten heels
This look was sexy and she rocked it!!!
There were other items she wore that I liked and thought would have looked better paired with something else or alone but all in all She looked great and represented America brillantly!!
On the stylist thing... I don't think she needs a stylist per se... I just think she needs a helper...
Someone who will give her another opinion. But it all hinges on how much advice the FL is willing to accept when it comes to clothes... No matter what or who says differently if the FL wants to wear an Alaia belt with a bow shirt she will....
Can't remember if I commented on this already and if I have I apologise - it'd be funny if I'd posted 2 different things!
Top favourite outfit would have to be the sparkly cardigan and mint jacquard skirt. Perfectly judged and worn.
Second favourite... hmm, the black dress and bolero arriving in Prague. However, I would qualify by saying that Mrs O looked most radiant at the dinner in France where she wore a black full skirted sleeveless dress. And I do wish that the chartreuse dress and black coat was gorgeous, I wish we'd seen that at a more public event. My least favourite was the Watanabe cardigan, because Argyll is the spawn of the devil and should be left on the golf course where no-one can see it. Harrumph. *grin*
Overall, I think Mrs O's proved that she makes surefooted choices for all events. She was always appropriately dressed, sequeing through an awkward series of events with great care.
I'm also impressed that she did it without once resorting to a Political Spouse Suit (because these make me want to scream and throw things) and while remaining true to all her instincts and personal trends.
If this is how Michelle dresses without a stylist, then my vote would be for all stylists to move AWAY from the First Lady. She knows what she's doing and it's great. Perhaps now, finally, some of the stick-in-the-muds who keep harping on about what's "appropriate", will see that things have moved on since the eighties, and relax and have some fun!