Saturday
May302009
Date Night in the Big Apple
Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 5:30 PM 
Photo by Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
First images here. More to follow!
This evening, the President and First Lady are enjoying a date night in New York City, where they'll see the Broadway show 'Joe Turner's Come and Gone' at the Belasco.
Mrs. O wears a square neck black dress, with horizontal bands of ruffles through the skirt. To accessorize, the First Lady adds a stack of diamond bangle bracelets, a blue clutch and Jimmy Choo Lantern heels.
Update: "Another Mrs. A" reports spotting a doppelganger Alaia dress in white at Barneys. Several people have suggested Alaia and we agree - the body hugging fit and detailed ruffle work seem to fit the bill.
tagged Alaia, Jimmy Choo in Outfits
Alaia, Jimmy Choo in Outfits
Reader Comments (354)
@IVA:
You are so right. He is the right person for this job in this time! Have you seen video of his latest burger run? He is such a man for/of the people!
I posted this comment earlier with the url of the place I found it, and it's still in moderation. Here's the info on Bush's vacations!
The count of vacation days of President George W. Bush:
487 days spent at Camp David, 490 days spent at Crawford ranch (77 visits)
This is a total of 977 days, or 139 weeks, or 2.67 years! Can this be right? I have read repeatedly that he took more vacation time than any previous president, including Reagan, who took more vacation than anyone before him.
I love the hair. I have sort of come around on this style on Mrs. O. When she wore it this way at the Time event, it looked a little stiff to me. Like they had just spackled on the hair-spray, '80s style. But it really is very very pretty and girly and youthful.
I think she looks smashing but I can't say that I love the dress. There is only so much I can take of all-black dresses, even when they have interesting ruffle detailing. I prefer Mrs. O in colors and prints. But the silhouette is just SUPER sexy. I absolutely love her confidence with her body.
In graduate school, I took a course in medieval literature. During one class when we were discussing a particular piece the title of which has long since escaped my memory, the professor pointed out a line which I had simply dismissed as unimportant information. It said that the king and queen went into the bedroom together; with no further details, to me this simply meant they were turning in for the night. But the professor explained that this was actually quite significant because in literature from this period, the king and queen's going into the bedroom together was symbolic of peace in the kingdom and contentment and security among the citizens.
Every time I see our President and his wife out displaying their love for each other, I feel this overwhelming sense of peace and security.
And I LOVE the dress! It has the fitted, sheath-like fit which I think looks great on her but with some added interest. Very good choice!
Oh IVA...
What can I say?! You are always so spot on and may I say you speak for me most of the time!
I find that I rarely have to post since you pretty much sum up much of what I have to say anyhow...
Our lovely first lady and our handsome, brilliant president look positively scrumptious!
Here's to many, many more well-deserved date nights for an incredibly hardworking and intrinsically decent leader of the free world and his adorable and equally hardworking first lady!
OMG they both look amazing and happy. I hope they can always have these date nights. FLOTUS is working that dress.
stunning.
@ Rachel and Christina.
Hi, a note to say thank you both for both your posts. I've answered them on the previous, "A Festive Floral," thread. Don't I have anything better to do on a Saturday night? Have to work in my studio, so our Mrs. O blog is my secret get-away. Not nearly as much fun as THEY will have tonight. (sad, sad smiley -- don't want to go in moderation)
@iva....I just watched the clip of bb airforce1. Its awesome. I love how those military men stand there and watch that plane leave safely. For some reason I teared up.
Also all those people waiting to glimpe POTUS motorcade in NY, just amazing.
thanks for posting.
I think, in response to the criticism of the RNC and etc... the Obamas are definitely incredibly glamorous. I mean, they really are. There's not really any NEED for them to have these wildly romantic dates in New York and Prague and (next week) Paris. They will definitely always be criticized for that attitude.
But because I adore them I just think of them as being lucky and embracing this opportunity. I mean, they have a lot of SERIOUS SH*T to deal with. Or at least Mr. O does. He has a broken economy, a war, North Korea's antics, etc to worry about. It's a kind of insane life to have. So I don't begrudge him one second of happiness. I think it's actually necessary, if he's going to stay loose in the face of all these problems. If he wants to indulge in a date night, then I just think that's really really sweet.
Mrs. Obama looks elegant and beautiful as usual. President Obama look dashing. They are such a beautiful couple. I love that they are able to have a date night!
I just saw the pics and I like the First Lady's dress a LOT. To me, it's retro in a sophisticated way.
@Willow, number 28 of the Yahoo pics posted by Mrs. T. shows a close-up of her makeup. It's retro, too, in a way we haven't seen. I find it quite sophisticated as well. All in all, I feel this has been one of her most "considered" looks.
Mrs. T, it's me! I'm just using a different e-address from now on.
Awww Audrey thanks! I feel like you and many others on here say a lot that I'm thinking too! As they say, birds of a feather flock together!
pictures here
http://thisweekwithbarackobama.blogspot.com/2009/05/date-night-for-obamas-nyc-broadway-with.html
They sure do make marriage look good. Let's be honest -- marriage gets a bit of a beating in popular culture. We all know the stereotypes: the husband turns into a couch potato, the woman turns into a frump, the kids run the household into the ground, etc. But, apologies to Justin Timberlake, they're bringing sexy back to marriage.
I had a comment above which is finally out of moderation. It referred to what appeared to be a rather significant scar along Mrs. O's right shin bone, visible in the image I listed in a disguised way. Does anyone else see it?
Cristina: I'm SO with you on the bringing sexy back to marriage!!
And parental romance is good for the kids (as Mrs.Obama mentioned a while back, talking about Malia's positive reactions about her parent's date nights). It's nice to see parents love one another...or have loving partners (in the instance of separated/divorced ones).
Stunning, flirtatious yet classic black dress. SD
Willow AND Cristina... ;) SD
more views
http://community(dot)livejournal(dot)com/obama_daily/228912(dot)html#cutid1
The Broadway trip is the equivalent of the breaks taken by past Presidents like Pres Reagan and Pres GWBush at their respective ranches. The only difference is the current Pres and FL can only afford a few hrs break bec their children are younger (their school cannot be disrupted) .If their children were older like the Reagans' and the Bushes', they would have set camp in NY for a week or longer.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the dress, her make-up and hair.
But the bright blue clutch is NOT something I would have picked. I am not one that thinks that everything must be matchy matchy, but I do think that when you are wearing a black dress the shoes and clutch should at least compliment each other.
Here's a link to the plot summary of the play:
www (DOT) answers (DOT) com/topic/joe-turner-s-come-and-gone-play-1
Cont'n...one of their activities will be watching this Broadway play. But the RNC is very desperate so they frame up the narrative as "took the jet just to watch a 2 hr show". Fortunately, Intelligence is back in the country and only the Limbaugh-Coulter cult still thinks the RNC way.
Well..I like the hair a lot and her makeup is perfect. In general I like her casual looks and her Big Event looks. It's the cocktail dress thing she does that I just don't get. This is a nice dress but kind of generic black dress. The neckline is nice on her but ruffles (unless used more artfully) dont flatter her. It just seems a bit stiff and middle aged to me, kind of a wife-of dress. And she's doing that thing where none of the accessories match anything.
The President as always looks perfect -- classic but relaxed. I love the suit with no tie look!
You know what I find funny about the RNC trashing Obama for taking his wife to New York...Is the fact these people are in essence screaming about him spending time with his wife...lol
Did they want the Obamas to never leave Washington, D.C. and stay forever inside the White House?!!! Good Grief the man wants to go out with his wife...
The play runs 2 hours and 40 minutes with one 15 minute intermission. www(DOT)belascotheater(DOT)com
I don't recognize any of the names of the actors.
I'm still loving the dress from the empire waistline down; but in the more close-up photo, I'm not loving the neckline. It's causing a little puckering at the arm openings and just overall doesn't flatter the bustline.
But I'm still loving the image of the two of them showing us what a committed, loving, sexy marriage can be! Cheers to Mr. and Mrs. O!
This particular production of Joe Turner's Come and Gone has been nominated for six Tony Awards.
On a personal note, I've had the great pleasure of working with the scenic and costume designers of this production. The scenic designer (Michael Yeargan) is one of the sweetest, most talented designers in America. And Catherine Zuber's costumes are always sumblime.
I understand this little trip cost the taxpayers a very lot of money
The play is marvelous, sublime. August Wilson was truly a genius.
@Lily, it always cost the taxpayers money when the president flys, how much do you think it cost taxpayers when Bush took his frequent trips to his ranch in Texas to clear the brush?
Anyhoo I smile whenever I see these two, especially together, so much love.
@ Lily: please leave with that foolishness. Being able to take his wife on a hot date in New York is one of the perks of being the leader of the free world. I'm a taxpayer and I am gladly footing the bill.
Today is my birthday and while I didn't go out, I am enjoying the fact that our WONDERFUL first couple did. I am also enjoying the commentary from my fellow Mrs. O fans. And the RNC can just live with it.
I'm happy to contribute to see my President and the First Lady get a break from the White House prison.
Did you guys see Mrs. Obama's back? Holy mackerel...she definitely takes her fitness seriously. She's very toned but still very feminine and sexy.
@Toni, I saw that too--holy macaroni she's seriously cut. I read similar comments on H.Post about her upper body physique. I remember a picture I saw of her at a Chicago fundraiser about 5 years ago. She was completely backless--total upper body definition that was near flawless, and I thought, wow! Of course, the then Senator Obama was all smiles of course. He had this look in the picture like, "yeah she's mine, and she's fine"---LOL
$20 Bucks Fox News will run back to back complaints about the president taking his wife to New York...lol
As if the republicans suddenly care about tax payers after how the Bushes spent crazily while living in the White House.
@Janelle, Could you imagine the outrage if she showed up completely backless now? So many people got their panties in a knot over her going sleeveless, backless might cause some anneurisyms. I would love to see her in such a sexy getup.
When does the Prez not look like he's thinking that. It's so unusual to see a man in his position be so very obviously taken with his wife. He's so unabashed with it. I think its part of why so many people find them so intriguing as a couple. Its not as though she's not as taken with him, because she is, but that is the norm, it's on his end that it is so different.
The First Lady looks good, but I must admit I am a tad concerned about the price tag of this date noght. Why did he not fly to New York with her 2 weeks ago when she had an engagement there and go to the play then? Also, I know many will have my head for this, but Mrs. O does not seem to have a problem wearing heels on date nights; so why can she not make the extra effort for certain official functions as well? I understand the need for comfort and all, but it seems to convey the message that those events are not important enough for her to inconvenience herself at the expense of her comfort.
My amazing President and First Lady...mmm mmmm mmm & yum!
Lol, Toni you are so right about the aneurysms, but I think it was Janelle...(?) who posted a video on one of the previous posts showing Michelle last summer during a campaign break for date night in a stunning black hot halter number - She was simply sizzlingly sexy!
Can you guys imagine what kind of major stimulus gift this appearance in New York is for Broadway?!! This is so so good for Broadway and even better for encouraging more couples to take time out for each other.
If the hardest working man in the world can find tme out his very busy, super stressful, crisis solving life to take his wife out for a quick romantic date, no excuses now.
I say bravo President & Mrs Obama!
In all my excitement I totally forgot to write how hot Michelle looks.
Baby, that dress is hot and the first lady is ravishing as she moves in it. The slight sheen and the layered look have this very fluid movement to it and as she moves, her curves move in unison - Seriously killing!
Yahoo has a few pictures up of the President and First Lady leaving NY. She is wearing her sweater. I believe that, as I suspected, it is bolero. They look rather serious. Possibly the subject matter of the play?
Wow!!!!!!!!!Mr.President and Michelle Obama I salute you....a fine couple. A busy Man with an awesome job but cand still take time out for his lovely wife. Mr President said he came to change the way Washington thinks,YOU DID IT!
Beauty, brains and a body to die for, with the most powerful man in the world madly in love with you and you with him.........TOTAL PACKAGE. AMEN
The ruffles on such a narrow skirt are not flattering on her. I am glad that they get some time together (although we all know it wasn't alone time, LOL)
NY Times Review of Joe Turner's Come and Gone. It gives a good glimpse into the experience.
http(colon)//theater2(dot)nytimes(dot)com/2009/04/17/theater/reviews/17turn.html
I'm not feeling the dress. Ruffles don't suit Mrs. Obama. However, I like the shoes, clutch & bangles.
She looks lovely in the dress.
I'm a little surprised but happy that Michelle has introduced Alaia to so many people. He really is one of the last true designers around today, his clothes are timeless.
Dress- shoes- pale lipstick- hair- cobalt purse- as usual, all the elements work together to form one smashing look. She is so classy, so stylish, so understated yet brings the bold touches with the bright purse and stacked bangles. I completely disagree, those ruffles look fantastic on her.
I just saw the pictures of them returning late in the evening. I especially like the photo of her coming down the steps of the Gulfstream and the photo of her being guided along the south lawn by Mr. President.
The dress: She has the perfect frame to carry it. Picture one of those sinfully thin models walking this frock on the runway. Go ahead and snicker at that thought. Michelle, on the other hand, brings clothing to life.
Iva, I know this isn't the topic of these pages but I agree that the tiny Air Force One is cute, no doubt economical too. But as a person who is continuously worried about the safety of the Obamas, I wonder if this smaller plane has the same security features of the regular Air Force One. If it does, I wonder why previous president's didn't use a similar jet. There may be a story here, security vs. economy.
Three cheers for the Obamas and their date nights! And many thanks to them and all of you for giving me hope. What a great time we're living!
It may have been a date night but the Obamas remain on message. Dinner at a restaurant featuring healthy, home-grown, organic food and a very serious play which is a tribute to the spoken word. I love the fact that our President is the first unashamed intellectual in the White House since......Abraham Lincoln? Thomas Jefferson_?