Purple and Polka Dots (by Lanvin!)
Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 4:34 PM 
Photo by Yuri Gripas / Reuters
We are loving First Lady Mrs. O's Spring wardrobe!
To visit third grade students at Ferebee-Hope Community School in Washington, DC, Mrs. O wore a purple polka dot sleeveless dress.
Update: A gold star for Jahmal, who has correctly identified Mrs. O's polka dot dress as Lanvin! The dress comes from Lanvin's Resort 2009 collection, seen in a full-length navy version here. Jahmal's discovery, here, also includes great detail shots. The silk dress features a draped bodice and a distinctive adornment at the shoulder, made of plastic discs accented with tubes and beads.
Thanks to Political Punch (one of our "go-to"s for Mrs. O coverage), we also have an update on the event:
The First Lady visited a group of third graders at the Ferebee-Hope Community School in Southeast Washington, who participate in the school's after-school program. According to her press office, her visit was intended to highlight the importance of after-school programs, particularly those for lower-income children.
Mrs. Obama read the book, "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" by Judith Viorst. Afterwards she and the children talked about what makes a bad day (gum in one's hair, falling in mud on one's birthday) and what to do on such occasions (remember there's always tomorrow).
Update: An important detail we failed to include. Per the Huffington Post, the day also included a meeting with leaders from the dropout prevention organization "Communities In Schools", which provides individual tutoring for the third graders the First Lady met. Thanks to Janelle for pointing us to this Washington Post video:
Reader Comments (248)
It's weirding me out that Maxim would list Mrs. Obama on it's list. Ok...just another way to sell magazines. Sorry for posting.
@Bea
Me too, the maxim nod is freaky to me
Mrs.O has looked great and Fab. on all of her outings! There is a big difference in makeup and hairstyling when you do it yourself and when it is done by a really good professional. Kudos to her for hiring the best so she can shine!
@Char
SHe has been using the same hairstylist and make up artist for YEARS, no change there. She is just being MIchelle, makeup and her don't make her who she is .
Mrs. O has me all cardiganed up! I wear suits a lot, so when I can take off my jacket, a nice cardigan always works as a replacement.
I am actually getting more into the arts. I have started taking piano lessons. I've also decided to become a mentor to a young girl in my city. The latter is something I used to do, but the Obamas, in general, reminded me of how fulfilling it was so I've started up again.
I have to say I've always worked out, never wore pantyhose (unless it's really cold out!), and I am a big belt person, although not as much as Mrs. O. I'm a big fan of dresses, although not the flowy ones Mrs. O always wears. I have been giving those types of dresses a look when I shop now, and I've also been diversifying the colors I wear since I'm too attached to wearing black.
More cardis and I am wearing my bakelite bangles daily. Ironed some dresses altho I am allowed to wear any pants or capris I want to work. Thanks, Mrs. O!
OMG...so cute. Check out the first 3 or 4 - they are from this evening.
And if anyone finds something negative to share, or to criticize/critique these pictures, I'm going to rage...
www(dot)news(dot)yahoo(dot)com/nphotos/Malia-and-Sasha-Obama/ss/events/pl/011609obamagirls#photoViewer=/090514/ids_photos_ts/r2840470953(dot)jpg
@toi22
I’m still smiling after reading your wonderful post. The final paragraph is just beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing.
I really like purple and the dress, from what I can see of it, looks really pretty... understated elegance. The price tag does not interest me.
Awww, Iva, if those aren'nt the cutest photos ever.
Charming dress! cute picture!!
though a black pantihose would do very fine with.
hum! i must say that Mrs O know to handle herself by sitting like this!! class!
expensive dress!! i admit! she can afford but until when?may be she has a special budget for that.
Cutest Pics EVER!!!
In answer to O-Lover's question:
We went to our annual Mozart concert last weekend (can't get enough Mozart), and here on the west coast (Portland) many people attend very causally -- even in jeans. This time I found a more glam black outfit in the back of my closet that I hadn't seen in years. I visited my long-neglected jewelry box and found some strings of beads I'd forgotten about. It would never have occurred to me to combine two of these before Mrs. O. But I did and they worked. I'd forgotten what a "lift" one can get from just dressing up and looking good. My husband liked it, too.
I have a small picture of Lady Michelle taped to the mirror in my bedroom, where her strong arms, beautiful figure, and her enthusiastic expression remind me to exercise.
Also, since Mrs. O's arrival on the scene, I'm in a better mood. Despite the horrible challenges we face as a nation, her joie de vivre, and her husband's intelligence and calm just give me confidence and make me feel better.
How has Mrs. O influenced me. We have to say I have always worn cardigans even during the summer. So I would like to think I influenced Mrs. O...OK maybe NOT!!
But seriously I saw a pic of Dutch Princess Maxima wearing a sleevless dress AND a sweater...and she was with the QUEEN but it was her Mom in law..oh well, what would Oscar say...sleeveless and a cardigan with the queen..I'm amazed.
awww IVA thanks for sharing.
They brought tears to my eyes because they show how much this family is really enjoying being together all the time, after the long campaign. Check out Sasha's smile!
Beautiful pics!
As for my First Lady Michelle O-thing, for my trip to Miami next month, I have decided to duplicate the outfit she wore to the Poetry slam.
I have a silk blouse with graphic print that I bought when I went to Italy last year..I just didn't know what to wear with it, but now I do thanks to the First Lady :-) I just have to find similiar earrings, and then I am good to go. Does anybody have any suggestions on wear to find similiar earrings?
Sasha looks so cute grinning and waving to the President. She obviously missed her dad when he travelled away overnight. That photos clearly shows that she is Daddy's little girl !!
Actually, Mrs. O has changed hairdresser. The hairdresser she has now, Johnny Wright, is not the same one who was doing her hair in Chicago. He came onboard midway though the campaign.
Hey, what happened to the down to earth girl we could relate to who wore J Crew? She needs a $2,000+ dress to read books to kids?
I'm sorry, but this seems out of whack.
Royals in sweaters:
http://myroyal(dot)wordpress.com/
Take that Oscar!
Clearly LilyBart did not take any time to read what was already discussed in previous posts of this thread. I'm just going to follow the lead of my fellow posters and try to just ignore these comments.
To answer O-Lover's question of Mrs. O influence:
I have started to wear bold colors every chance I get, and have been getting a lot of compliments. I use to wear black a lot (so you know I loved that Michael Kors Time gala outfit Mrs. O wore), but I needed to bring more color into my life. And I have to say, it really effects my mood to wear more color---I feel happier and more bold inside and I have a spring in my step.
Also, Mrs. O has inspired me to workout more regular, lift more weights and just do more for my overall health more often. I'm no good to others if I'm burning on empty. After watching Mrs. O with her mother, I remind myself to call my mother more and we're planning a few mother/daughter getaways this year (we live in different states) just to bond more, laugh more, and stay closer.
Okay, I know I'm coming in late in the conversation, but I'm curious to know why some have referred to this as a cocktail dress.
Also, the day of the Sojourner Truth event, after getting designer info from Mrs. T as to who designed the marvelous shirt dress Mrs. O wore, I went to Sophie Theallet's website and sent a quick email thanking her for using women of color for a lot of her designs on the website. I got an email from her office this evening (I really didn't expect a reply back at all):
"Dear Janelle,
I am sorry for the late reply, as you can imagine we have been flooded with emails lately. Mrs. Theallet is so proud and grateful that Mrs. Obama wore her dress for this very special occasion. We appreciate you taking the time to write us, it means a lot. Sophie has received much support from her African-American’s friends since being in the USA, it means so much to her, Equality and Freedom is something that is so dear to her heart.
Our very best,
Steven for Sophie Theallet
www(dot)facebook(dot)com/pages/Sophie-Theallet/75176805545"
...I am not rich, but I can afford to save up to buy designer duds every few months or so. Believe me, I remember the designers that have diversity on their runways, and my first thought will be Sophie Theallet. I was thinking about Mrs. O's blouse from the poetry jam. The blouse/dress on the runway model did not look the same as on Mrs. O's mocha skin. I would have passed it over. I'm not saying that every designer must have a woman of color, but it helps to have diversity on the runways so women of color of all hues (yellow tones, olive, and mocha tones, etc) can at least envision themselves in some of the clothes. Caucasian models are beautiful as well, it just would be nice to have a nice mixture more often. I, for one, appreciate the email reply back and as a consumer, Mrs. Theallet will probably get my dollars in the future, even it's for one or two outfits.
As most people who appreciate MrsO, I see part of myself in her(minus the fab arms).
Things like cardigans, pearls and bold colours are what I love and wear all the time ( in a lower scale of course). Seeing her express my passion so elegantly is why I have a GIRL CRUSH on MrsO....lol
Thanks to The Sex and City, most people felt free to explore their fashion sense. I remember reading somewhere how MrsO used to watch that show, and I dont think anyone who enjoyed that show can claim they werent influenced by the ladies of TSAC's fashion.
When it comes to MrO's fashion, I learned to sit back and enjoy cause I'm sure there is more to come.
Big up to MrsT for feeding that hunger. Keep it up.
IVA- Thanks for the link! Those are the sweetest pictures.
She looks so happy to see her Daddy. I bet that just made his day.
Mrs. T- Thanks for all your work/time...enjoy the site!!
This is a beautiful dress on her both colorwise and stylewise. Purple is a great color for her. While it seems a bit much for reading to kids at school, since she had somewhere else to be, she chose to be a bit overdressed for 3rd graders in order to not be underdressed for the meeting afterwards.
That was really beautiful Janelle!
How thoughtful and wonderful writing Ms. Theallet...
People like you really make the world a much better place - Bravo!
Just read your post Willow and chuckled...
There's something to be said for really dressing up for a night out with the hubby...super sexy and feminine-
I hope the concert was as great-
I should really read through all the posts before I post...
But IVA, thank you so much for that link...It was just lovely and brought tears to my eyes;
The little girl simply lit up at the sight of her dad...wide twinkly eyes and those lovely dimples deepened by the wide awesome smile - Just beautiful!
@ Bella
Yes. Mrs. O hss had the same makeup artist. However on the campaign trail, she used to do her own makeup and she probably wasn't using her as often as she does now. She even mentioned to the school kids she met in DC (when it was mainly all girls) that she does her own makeup, with the exception of special days when she has an event that she hires her makeup artist. She mentioned that on that day, her makeup artists had done it. She has had a lot of busy days and special days since she becane FLOTUS compared to the campaign trail, so I bet that most of the makeup we see is that of the makeup artist. On the campaign trail, she was doing her own makeup more often than she is doing now.
Simple question: Why pick bones when the obvious thing to do is celebrate?
Clothes cost money. Period.
@IVA - thank you for the link to photo's. They are really lovely and ... WOW! In photo 22 does Malia not look exactly like her mother??! That smile!
@Janelle - what a lovely email. I'm really pleased to hear that they've heard from so many people about the show. I'm always astonished at how white catwalk shows often are. I don't walk down any streets that don't have faces of all different colours on any more - the fashion world needs to reflect the world we live in.
Right. Down to the money. This dress as a full length evening gown costs £2,289.74. Now I don't know but I would assume that it would be less if it's shorter but there are no guarantees!
Couture outfits: £10,000 for a simple blouse up to £40,000 and often beyond. A Chanel couture suit in 2002 could have cost in the area of £20,000. By mid 2004 an evening frock cost £50,000.
So comparing - for the sake of argument - Mrs O's wardrobe choices thus far with Mrs Bush's wardrobe, I think we can safely say that it's costing a lot less. For all the whingy whiners who are still banging on about it.
That notwithstanding it is still no-one's business but Mrs O what she spends Her Own Money on!
(Finally, I should just add that Oscar isn't couture so this is something of a wobbly argument. He might think he is, but he is not an haute couture design house. "Haute Couture" is a very small group of design houses - Mr de la Renta has never been on the list, not even as a guest. Funnily enough though, that nice Mr Martin Margiela IS on the list this year as a guest. Isn't THAT nice! "One tux, coming right up!")
It's nice that posters pose open-ended questions to the rest of us. We get to learn more about each other, and I really enjoy reading these reflective posts.
First, Thank you Janelle for sharing your letter from Sophie Theallet's studio.
That's a nice gesture on her part as well as yours.
Second, how has Mrs. O influenced me?
Well, I wear my pins and brooches that have been sitting in my jewelry case for decades.
I wear my grey sheath with pride, and I have pulled out my brown flats that are covered with grommets and wear them. I had previously thought they were too girlish.
I consider my black Womyn pants with a crisp white shirt an outfit, and not a cop out.
I exercise regularly, but am not obsessed with turning into a size 6 through food deprivation and 4 hours of exercise daily (which I don't have time for anyway).
I try harder to watch my tongue, and being a member of this website is good practice.
I marvel at the way Mr. and Mrs. O make careful choices of words and back those words up with actions. They set a good example.
I have hope.
I find joy in watching Mrs. O play with her fashion choices, and I have faith in her to wear what she likes to wear. When she makes choices in clothing that are popular, I feel happy for her "hit". And I admire the self-confidence that allows her to slough off public scrutiny when she wears what some may perceive as a "miss". It's a good life lesson - stay strong.
So, in no particular order, just some of the ways Mrs. O has influenced me.
PS - I applaud those of you who have taken on the $$$ for clothes issue. I don't have the energy, and I have to admit that I think there may be something to the notion that right wing nuts sign on this post for hit and runs. Mrs. O does plenty for this country of her own volition and with her own time. There is no price tag to be put on the ways she has positively influenced those who have benefitted from her attention and eloquence since she has become FL.
And I am a hypocrite - I stated earlier I would not address the $$$$/clothes issue!
Regarding being overdressed for school, I don't think one can be overdressed when visiting a school. The kids especially little girls probably love it. When I was a kid I played dress up and I would put a towel over my head and pretend to be a Charlie's Angel(The Farrah Years). Now little girls have Mrs. Obama to look up to.
Standing ovation for O-Lover for posing the question about how Mrs. O has affected our own life and fashion choices. You have definitely helped to keep this thread on a higher, most positive plane than many that go on for a few days!
So far, I've been inspired to plant that backyard garden I've been putting off for years. I haven't actually broken ground yet, but I have ths spot picked out, and I'm researching what will grow in my area.
Mrs. O has also inspired me to get more involved in community service.
As for wardrobe, I have been a cardigan lover for many, many years and own many of them. In my profession, suits are rarely called for, so a cardigan often gives an outfit a more finished look but is softer and less corporate looking than a suit coat or blazer. Now I wear my cardigans with greater confidence and feel that I'm participating in a trend rather than a copout--as I often felt I was doing. I've even experimented with wearing belts with them (at the waist, NOT at the empire level!), but I still don't feel that I look that good in belts, so I may skip that part or maybe just shop more thoroughly for different kinds of belts that might work.
Thanks again for the topic.
I also want to echo That Other Mimi about being overdressed for school. When I was going to school, we dressed up. Having been a teacher/professor for several decades, I'm appalled at what I see being worn by both students and colleagues. Today, many people seem to view dressing for school as somewhere between the gym and mowing the lawn. I'd LOVE to see someone restore a bit more fashion consciousness into teachers and students alike!!!
Ah, let me count the ways ....
I exercise more. Slow progress because I've been ill but I'm getting back to it.
I keep remembering that quote about being the best you can be, all the time, even when nobody's watching. And then I have to get up and do something I've been putting off, or ignoring. Or hoping that someone else will take care of!
I'm back on a healthy diet, having written it off a while ago. I want my waist back, I want to play with belts. Ohhh yes indeedy.
I've applied for some community service and been offered four possible ideas, three of which were of interest. One is teaching adult literacy, but I'd need to do a ten week training course first which starts in September. Another is mentoring elderly people in sheltered accommodation who want to use the computer. Those are very exciting to me. We do get involved with local community things anyway (I host a needlecrafts group in my home among other things), but the service idea is important.
Clothes? I have always worn what I want to wear. Odd combinations, classic combinations with a twist, strong accessories, cardigans, dresses, crisp shirts, mad jewellery, hats, shoes and bags - lots of texture and interest. I HAVE started eyeing up brooches for the first time!
I have got a good vegetable garden, but I've extended it this year, to try some different things. Broccoli for the first time!
I'd LIKE to think I'm taking on board the whole being gracious thing MO's got going on. However, after calling someone a silly cow in a rage last night, I fear this may take longer.
Mrs. G:
Piggy backing on what you said, I would love to see fashion restored in mainstream America, period.
I have been doing all that Mrs O is doing in the community for years. I wear dresses (which I love) mixed in with suits. The belt over the sweater I wore many years ago and will not duplicate again. I still wear hosiery with my dresses and suits.
I like what she has been wearing for the spring and the pieces look great on her.
I tend to have my own style of dressing and know what works for my body frame and height and therefore I do not duplicate anyone else's style. I have worn different colors for dressing, not just the standard gray and black, in corporate America for years.
Oh, Ms G I couldn't agree with you more. I see people at the theatre wearing clothes I would wear to clean out the chickens! We went to a christening last year and someone asked us why we were so overdressed! So very sad. I feel you show respect to your host when you dress well. And it's FUN to look pretty!
All about haute couture:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haute_couture
Interesting that the "father" of haute couture was Worth, an Englishman.
There are no American designers on the list as they must have an atelier in Paris to be eligible.
If Oscar de la Renta had an atelier in Paris, he'd be on the list. Here are his creds. Art school in Spain at age 18, work with Balenciaga and Lanvin. He has far more experience than most designers who are trendy now and designs some of the most beautiful, flattering clothes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_de_la_Renta
The fact that he expressed the desire that Mrs. O use some of the more established American designers should not cause anyone to try to denigrate him or his work. It's up to Mrs. O to choose her clothes. She hasn't chosen him. That takes nothing away from his stature as the foremost American designer today.
To make matters worse, I live in south Florida where the "uniform" is shorts and T's. I'm considered a fashion trendsetter because I wear dresses and skirts and when possible, even stockings (not in mid summer, I'll admit!). Just making the effort to shop and put things together in pretty and interesting ways to me is just normal; but to many, it's outstanding. Yes, Posh Tater, it is FUN to look and feel pretty!
I found more video of Mrs. O with the students, and in the beginning of this video, notice how long the dress is---wow. I think it must have really pulled up while she was sitting there reading and talking to the kids. I was thinking it was just a shorter sheath dress but it goes far below her knees. The design is really interesting, flowing and beautiful. She is so tall and elegant looking, I know the kids, especially the young girls were thinking "Wow"!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2009/05/13/VI2009051303136.html
I found more video of Mrs. O with the students, and in the beginning of this video, notice how long the dress is—wow. I think it must have really pulled up while she was sitting there reading and talking to the kids. I was thinking it was just a shorter sheath dress but it goes far below her knees. The design is really interesting, flowing and beautiful. She is so tall and elegant looking, I know the kids, especially the young girls were thinking “Wow”!
www(dot)washingtonpost(dot)com/wp-dyn/content/video/2009/05/13/VI2009051303136(dot)html
I just wanted to add that MrsO has brought us together as well, because I enjoy reading the posts and some of the poster I enjoy even more Janelle, Posh tater, american-n-rome...just to name a few.
Janelle - thanks for that link to Mrs. O reading to the kids. It's my first look at the full length of the dress, which I liked. It's interesting that even at mid-calf length, it rode up pretty high while sitting on a small chair.
I want to echo what others have said out they way we dress in this country. It's almost a shame, really. I remember when I was younger and living in Minnesota, people dressed up to go to concerts and even to the mall. It was an event, and people took the time to make it so. Now, when I go to the mall here in Portland, most people are in jeans and a Tee shirt. Even at classical concerts, few have really dressed up for the event.
I heard a comment some time back made by a French woman who was on Oprah, I believe. She was talking about one way the French stay thin is to take time to prepare really tasty food, take time to set the table well, (even if just for yourself), light a candle, put on nice music, present the food on the plate prettily, and slowly savor your properly portioned (small) dinner, and then you will stay (or get (smile)) thin.
She also commented that people in Europe and South America dress really fashionably, look good, and have fun doing it. She said that Americans work too hard and are too tired to care as much about dressing up. Pow! I think she hit it. Other countries live at a more relaxed pace than we do. So many of us don't have energy or time left to do more than making sure our clothes are clean when we go somewhere, myself included.
But, as others have said, I, too, would like to see us embrace dressing up more. It really would lift our spirits and make our lives feel less "flat".
Willow:
I echo your opinion.
I normally do not care what other are wearing. I go dressed appropriately.
There are still fashionable women in this country, but they stick out like a sore thumb.
Also, I am tired from working long hours and commuting into NYC, but I still love fashion and still love to dress!
I've been watching Whitehouse.gov for the video of the Poetry, Music, Spoken Word night. I haven't seen it yet. I'm clicking on the Youtube link, then on Speeches and Events, but nothing.
Does anyone know if I should be looking elsewhere to find this? I really want to enjoy this fine evening that I missed out on.
Thanks.
The whitehouse flickr page has a bunch of new behind-the-scenes photos including two of Mrs.O wearing that yellow dress from the cinco de mayo event from last Monday. In one of them you can see partially the full length of the dress.
I'm sure Mrs. O's wardrobe spending is typical of any rich woman's, but WOW! The price of that dress! I read a lot of fashion mags and I thought I knew what the prices were like, but I'm totally out of step.
On the other hand, I guess it's basically an evening dress, and those are more expensive -- but I still wouldn't have guessed over $2300 or so.