"If you're going to do a bow..."
Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 12:03 PM 
Image used with kind permission from Flickr user Bulldogmi
Dave of Bulldogmi.com has been kind enough to let us highlight a story he posted on his own site this weekend. Not only did Dave and his wife Kathleen score a prime position to hear the President speak in Prague on Sunday, they managed to shake President Mr. O's hand and have conversations with both Rahm Emanuel and the First Lady. If that wasn't enough, they even inquired with Mrs. O about her Moschino bow blouse - and yes, we love them for it. Here is the resulting bit of banter:
Kathleen: “I loved the Vogue cover”
First Lady Mrs. O: “Thank you so much”
Kathleen (and woman over my shoulder): “Love the bow too”
First Lady Mrs. O: “It’s a big bow”
Bulldogmi: “That’s funny. All the women down here said the same thing.”
First Lady Mrs. O: “If you’re going to do a bow, I think it should be a BIG bow.”
Bulldogmi: “I agree…I always do the same when I wear a bow”
First Lady Mrs. O: [Laughter]
To read the full post and see more pictures, click here.
Reader Comments (106)
Bold and gutsy, just like Mrs. O. Oh...and doesn't taker herself too seriously. What a refreshing combination!
Sorry, but I cringe every time I see that bow! YIKES!!
But she wears it with confidence, and in the end, I guess that's all that matters.
The bow was not one of my favorites, but we will forgive b/c she is usually so right on.
Perhaps Mr. O can take a lesson and dawn a Bow-Tie of of his own. That would me smashing!
I adored that bow shirt. I wasn't as in love with the placing of the belt, but the blouse is fabulous.
Even more fabulous is Michelle's confidence. It's pretty amazing that, with as bright as the spotlight is shining on her, she doesn't shy away from taking risks and embracing the quirkyness that she loves. It would just be so much easier to wear a nice jewel-toned sheath all the time. She chooses to wear things that she KNOWS some snarky blogger is going to blast her for.
That's why I don't really mind when people criticize Mrs. O. Because I know she's OK with it. It doesn't seem to bother her one bit.
I'm starting to get tired of the belts over the sweaters. JMO
But I do LOVE the bow.
I feel like that belt and I are old friends.
As I said earlier, I LOVE the bow blouse! It would have been the star of the outfit without that darn belt (didn't even mind the cardigan). That belt distracted from the "pow" of the blouse and made her look lumpy and dumpy and pregnant. Give the belt a rest, puleez!
I absolutely love this blouse but I would have loved to see it tucked in even with the belt around the waist instead of so high up! Have to say though, Mrs. O certainly has style.
Mrs. P,
That's exactly what I said. Take of the thick belt, tuck in the shirt, and add a thin belt at the waist, and you have a very sleek and chic look.
And I agree with Mrs. O about bows. If you're gonna wear a bow, go big! I plan on getting myself a big bow shirt like this soon. I just don't know where to find one in my price range. Maybe H&M?
This photo certainly highlights the odd belting of this ensemble... so not working and compromises the exhuberant bow.
I hope this blouse shows up again, but worn in a different manner.
Great piece, not great way to showcase it.
Tess, I saw some interesting crisp white blouses when I was browsing through New York & Co. recently. Maybe some of this might appeal:
http://www.nyandcompany.com/nyco/browse/sub_category.jsp?categoryId=cat1240004
I didn't try on any myself because I didn't have time, but I may try to go back and see if any work for me.
I love our First Lady's sense of style. I think she could leave the belts off some outfits. The belt becomes the focus of the outfit, it stops being an accessory. The Bow blouse was gorgeous, very feminine, the belt was too harsh.
I would love to see it pulled out from behind the cardigan/vest and belt as she wore in Strasbourg. I think it would look lovely as a layered piece.
http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20090405/capt.a22e268f201e449c84c0c2e2d4504ff9.aptopix_france_nato_summit_fas109.jpg
HEY EVERYONE!
THE WAX FIGURE OF FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA WAS REVEALED AT MADAME TUSSAUDS ON APRIL 7, 2002 IN WASHINGTON, DC!
IT IS BEAUTIFUL (ALTHOUGH I WOULD HAVE CHOSEN A BATTER OUTFIT TO REPRESENT MICHELLE)
HERE IS THE LINK:
http://www.daylife.com/photo/01fx4yg4j7gp1?q=michelle+obama
01fx4yg4j7gp1
I actually have to give them so kudos for the outfit they chose for Mrs. O! It's definitely a look that's very characteristic of her. Chunky belt? Check. Cardigan? Check. Jewel-toned sheath? Check. Pearls? Check. But no brooch which is a major, major miss on their part.
Still, what a fun homage! The resemblance is amazing.
I love Mrs. O. Go BIG or GO HOME!
And keep rocking that belt! Last I checked, Mrs. O hasn't asked anyone if they were tired of her belts. She's not here for our amusement. So if you're tired of her belts - maybe you need a nap.
On a side note, anyone think they're wearing a bulletproof vest underneath their clothing?
The POTUS wax figure looks pretty good as well!
So, I'm the "Kathleen" aka "wife" in the Bulldogmi post and happened to be in the fortunate position to complement the First Lady on both the Vogue cover & bow. My take: she's an extremely classy lady & handles a complement well. She seemed genuinely taken aback when I referenced the Vogue cover---which took a bit of time to track down in Prague, btw. Up close, she's simply stunning. I think she appeals to many women because she manages to mix the high-low fashion well & most importantly does it on her own terms. On a final note, the Alaia dress in Baden-Baden was an absolute home-run...imho
Thanks for the disclosure, Kathleen, and for sharing your real-life experience with Mrs. O with us.
We're all jealous, Kathleen! Thanks for sharing your interaction with her.
President Obama's Trips 2009
Honolulu/Kailua (Hawaii) - 12/20/08 - 01/01/09
Ottawa (Canada) - February 19th
Europe: March 31st - April 7th
London (England), Baden-Baden (Germany), Strasbourg (France), Prague (Czech Republic), Anakara and Istanbul (Turkey), Baghdad (Iraq) *During the European trip President Obama had 18 meetings with world leaders, 2 major speeches, 2 townhalls, 6 press conferences
Mexico - April 16th and 17th
Trinidad/Tobago Port of Spain - April 17th - 19th Summit of the Americas
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jwKUFDzG_hh3ozw8cMKyFvC6iU-g
Moscow (Russia) - this summer
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090401/ap_on_re_eu/eu_obama_china
China - later this year
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090401/ap_on_re_eu/eu_obama_china
----
I am hoping that Michelle will go with the President to China and Russia.
Also, I would like to see her visit Rome, Italy including the Vatican, Spain, and Greece.
HEY EVERYONE!
THE WAX FIGURE OF FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA WAS REVEALED AT MADAME TUSSAUDS ON APRIL 7, 2002 IN WASHINGTON, DC!
IT IS BEAUTIFUL (ALTHOUGH I WOULD HAVE CHOSEN A BATTER OUTFIT TO REPRESENT MICHELLE)
HERE IS THE LINK:
http://www.daylife.com/photo/01fx4yg4j7gp1?q=michelle+obama
They always make the Black figurines look ashy, like they were running out of brown paint so they cut it with a little bit of white to make it last longer, lol. But otherwise, I think they did a really good job with her wax figure. And they definitely got the style right with the cardigan and belt!
Was it the same shirt here?
http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20090405/capt.a22e268f201e449c84c0c2e2d4504ff9.aptopix_france_nato_summit_fas109.jpg
I agree with all of those who'd like to see Mrs. O lose the belts--or at least some of them! I do like this blouse a lot, and I would like the whole outfit if it weren't for that darned belt up under the bust. What an odd place to wear a belt! And before anyone feels compelled to pounce on me, I greatly admire our First Lady and fully acknowledge her right to wear as many belts as she pleases anywhere she pleases. I just personally think this one detracts from an otherwise great outfit.
Yes, Yemi, it was. I've cross-checked it with a few different fashion sites and they all say that was the Moschino bow blouse with an Etro shirt/cardigan belted over the top. She kept the bow tucked in that day, though.
They both look stunning!
Madame Tussaud's doesn't have Michelle's skin tone right, but otherwise, it's an astonishing likeness. I have never seen them actually get someone right before. Even Barack doesn't look quite right around the eyes/eyebrows.
lol, see this is why i love our first lady. after all its just clothes, have fun.
@kathleen.....thanks for the tid bit.
FWIW, I think she is wearing the belts at her waist. I just think her waist is super high.
Whether she should be wearing belts so much at all is another question! But I think they're at the right place, in the sense that the narrowest part of her torso seems to be not too far past her bust.
First Lady Mrs. O. is in a class by herself. She is poised, percise and speaks what she feels is right. Her fashion taste is no different. She looks like our First Lady, and I am never disappointed. From her hair to her shoes, absolute perfection.
Although I think the blouse would be better if tucked in, I am wondering if MO's high waist would give an impression of too much skirt and too little blouse. I agree that she appears to be very high-waisted.
@ Kathleen - how lucky you are! I am curious as to how many Mrs. O bloggers have had the good fortune to see Michelle in person. Hyde Parker, Chicagoan, Meta - have you seen her in person?
I too cringe when I see the bow. Then I cringe again at the placement of the belt. Why is she wearing her belt nearly under her armpits? It widens her stomach and her hips.
This is a big miss for me.
It's strange how Europeans and Americans (as I assume most posters in the blog) differ in terms of style. I love the bow. I love that shirt, but hated the inauguration lime green outfit. Interesting.
@ Leah D,
Thanks for the scheduling info..whew, I'm exhausted looking at it because I know when emergencies come up, more will probably be added to it. I was thinking about all of the causes Michelle has committed herself to here, so I know she's blown away about her overseas reception and how to balance her time and attention at home, abroad and her role as a mother. I know she expected to be treated warmly overseas, but the coverage was probably more than I ever suspected.
I do hope though that the military family cause gets the attention it deserves and I know it will. But being from the US, maybe I'm feeling a little possessive of the First Lady and want to see her around the US more, as well as abroad. I just have this picture in my head of everyone pulling on her, arms outstretched, wanting FLOTUS to come to their city, town, or country.
I hope she has 8 years to get this all done, or some folks are going to be very disappointed. She travelled abroad a lot before the girls were born, but she hasn't even gone as First Lady to Asia, Africa, Australia......
I know she has perks at the WH, but I don't know if I would trade places with her right now.
Janelle,
That is not even his full official schedule.
I put that list together from what they've announced 'so far'. Also after I posted I read somewhere that President Obama is planning a 'big' speech soon in a Muslim country - don't know which country yet. I suspect that we will see the President and First Lady bopping around with the girls this summer too.
Leah D, about the speech they were talking about Turkey. He gave the speech yesterday
Yemi,
I think it is the same bow, although others have disagreed.
Sorry about this extra post, I just now found it
Breaking News
Obama to Israel, West Bank, in June
Haaretz reports that the president will make it to Israel and the West Bank during a trip to FRANCE this summer.
(via The Cable)
Mimi-
No. The White House said that the Turkey speech was not his 'major speech' - there is a bigger one on the way.
Leah, that must be it then!
LOVE THE BOW!!! Just wanted "the look" to have more polish. Keep the bow, pull the hair back with a lifted top and a side soft bun and simple pearl earrings. Then if you choose to wear the belt, tuck the blouse in and belt the waist. Black opaque stockings with a classic and stylish simple black pump with make a bold elegant and polished statement.
I posted far too much data on that bow blouse over at the original Big Bow thread. Included is the page from the Moschino website where this rather tent-shaped blouse, a predominately cotton blend, is offered for sale in white and black. $800. Rather than my reposting here, anyone who is interested can go to that thread and find it. It explains why the area under the bow looked sort of tortured by that belt. There is a drape in the fabric - a piece that comes down over the center of the bow - that is supposed to hang free, at least to the natural waistline.
Agreed with previous posters....no belt and no cardigan would have made this blouse sing. This is a great blouse...on its own. I am going to look into buying one myself.
I think that Mrs. O's black studded Alaia belt is dynamite. Looked great with acid yellow dress coming off the plane in London. But I think Mrs. O needs to watch the belt thing...her hips are high so it appears that her belts ride up so high that they give an empire (read that as in the French style "um-pier") style meaning that the belt rides just under her breasts. This works better with dresses ( all one color and piece such as the acid yellow one) than with skirts and blouses which on their own break up the color, texture and form of the ensemble.
Hi Bevi. No, I've not been fortunate enough to meet her personally. Some day I hope to, though!
Everyone, I've been thinking about this belt placement thing. What if she wore a corset-style belt instead of a traditional one? I think she's kind of crossing the line now, since the belts are wide and often studded, but maybe taking a step further would make it look better worn where she does. Just a thought.
Some people just don't wear belts well, and since I'm one of them, I can say that. In fact, I am the same height as Mrs. O but proportioned differently, and I've never been able to figure out where to put a belt, so I gave up wearing them. I'd like to see her do the same.
People want her to give up belts cause they're "over" them? It's clear Michelle loves belts. If you really want her to change herself and something that's a trademark then you're not as accepting of her originality as you claim.
^IAWTC. There's been a disturbing trend these past few days since the stylist talk started where the tone of comments have been getting increasingly negative. It's upsetting that now people are freely talking about taking away things about Michelle's style that make her who she is.