Cuatro de Mayo
Monday, May 4, 2009 at 2:49 PM 
Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images
Mrs. O got an early start on Cinco de Mayo festivities, celebrating with a group of schoolchildren at a Hispanic Heritage event at the Latin American Montessori Bilingual Public Charter School (a mouthful!) in Washington, DC.
Mrs. O wears J.Crew's featherweight cashmere argyle cardigan in lavender stone salt (some may recall she wore the same cardigan last week in an olive hue), a gray pleated skirt and silver python ballet flats.
In yesterday's "Sunday with the Magazine" discussion, several of the panelists commented that Mrs. O had seemed to her expand her silhouette of choice in recent months -- once defined by the body skimming sheath dress -- to include the flattering fitted cardigan and full skirt combination. We see another great example of this silhouette here.
A video of Mrs. O's remarks:
Reader Comments (83)
I think it was a very appropriate outfitt to wear. She looked sweet and welcoming plus I love the color purple on her.
She looked positively radiant today. I saw the rest of the pics at huffingtonpost and they just bring a smile to one's face
She looks very pretty! Love that color on her, she doesn't usually wear pastels but really carries off the lavender nicely.
I love love love the pictures with the little kiddies!!
she was in full hugging force today!!!!!
I'm still waiting on my olive cardigan, which I ordered last week! I debated over the color, but I'm happy I settled with olive, it's a different color for me to wear.
This is a lovely and fresh look for Mrs. O. This seems to be her pattern - very demure and playful when she has events with kids.
Her hair and makeup are really nice today. I like the little flip out that's happening on the right side.
I wonder who designed the skirt. Could it be the Maria Pinto pleated skirt she referred to in a New York times article?
"The first lady said she was not naturally thin and, like most other people, had to exercise and watch what she eats.
'I have hips, and I have them covered up with these pleats,' she said, pointing to her Maria Pinto skirt."
She's been wearing too much argyle. Though she looks nice, it's time to change it up!
I guess the flowly skirts and argyle cardigans have become a staple for meeting with kids. I agree. Time to switch it up.
Excuse me?! Time to switch it up? Some of you guys really take the First Lady for a barbie doll dressing at your pleasure, don't you? Seriously!
Flowly skirts or pants are very practical for meeting with kids because if she needs to get down on the floor with them (as she often does), she doesn't have to worry about uncomfortable/embarrassing moments.
The only people she is worrying about are those kids performing for her - just check out the smile on her face, and the smiles on those little kids' faces! She was born for this role!
I think her outfit is fresh and perfect for meeting kids which usually requires alot of bending to be at their level.
Also wearing the sweater is perfect for visiting children, the weather on this side is so unpredictable and a sweater seems the perfect in between clothing without succumbing to the dictates of wearing the same old boring uniform.
Now I like that sweater a LOT more than that assymetrical horror with the sequins.
Ellie and Mrs. A,
I hope Mrs. O wears argyle everday for the next month (lol), why becasue it's her cloths, her body and her choice. No one comes to your closet and tell you what to wear and what not to wear. Just face it, you will never be satisfied no matter what she wears; she'll never be able to satisfy everyone so I much rather her satisfy herself and her husband then to worry about us "caty" bloggers. Take it or leave it!
It's not 'fresh' if you just wore argyle last week! I like the skirt and sweater look, don't get me wrong. All I was suggesting is that she not wear an argyle-patterned sweater again....at least for awhile! I understand the clothes shouldn't be priority number one here....you are right, Zile, it's all about the kids.
Fresh and sweet! I love the outfit.
For those that are tired of seeing argyle you just wait til tomorrow. Oh boy, I think she's gonna be a knock-out at the Time's Most Influential People Event.
When meeting with kids, Andre Talley from Vogue described her wardrobe best I think, he says its collegiate. I agree. And what better attire to wear when hanging out with kids? Its perfection!
I love those colors on Mrs. O. I like the shoes too. I like the fact that FLOTUS finds a style she likes and isn't afraid to wear variations on a theme. Let's face it, she is tall and somewhat athletic so she could probably wear almost anything. But when you're under the scrutiny of the public eye, it's must be comforting to know that certain silhouettes are easy to do and you stick with those.
I think I mentioned in the "shoe-gate" thread that I liked this sweater and I bought it (haven't gotten it yet though)...when I saw that it came in the lavender color as well as the olive one, I hesitated because I like lavender quite a lot.
But I ultimately decided that this particular shade was a little too "sweet" for me, and seeing it on Mrs. O...I think I made the right choice. For ME, mind you. In olive, in my opinion, it has a bit more sass, and can go with more. In lavender, it's a little too "kindergarten teacher."
Apropos of nothing, this school is about a five minute drive from my home. It's thrilling that the first family is getting out beyond "official" Washington, and into the neighborhoods where real people work and live. Some of us actually don't have anything to do with the federal government!
Did a snake actually die for those shoes, she asked unhappily?
Michelle looks just great in the whole lavender/purple spectrum. And I agree with Andre from Vogue: she seems to favor a "school teacher" look when visiting kids at school. The fuller skirt allows her to move around without restraint.
A lot of the time, "python" is actually a pattern pressed in leather. Not that leather is so much better if you prefer cruelty-free clothig.
Cute 'kindergarden teacher' look! I love MrsO remarks at the event. She sooo gets it!
Just noticed her shoes. I like them. I have shoes like that, but mine has a heel.
I think she looks great in those argyle sweaters, and I hope she has several more in several more colors!!! They are perfect with the fuller skirts or comfy slacks for visiting the children!!
I knew I had an argyle cardigan packed away somewhere, so I tore apart my closet, and found it!!! It's red and gray, but, by golly, I'm going to wear it, even though it's 90 degrees here in Florida!!! Hurrah for Mrs. O and argyle!!!
She's worn this skirt before on the campaign trail.
http://www.mrs-o.org/?paged=40
*snicker* Michelle's tenacity! I remember the story she told as a child she ate nothing but peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for almost a year. LOL (Argyle sweaters)
When her memoirs come out...it will definately be: I did it MY WAY!!
I love to imagine Jill Scott on Michelle's Ipod in the limo-- 'hate on me, cuz my mind is free, feel my destiny, so shall it be!! go head and hate on me hater...
Michelle's spirit/spunk rocks!!!
Tomorrow's another day...Peace
That Other Mimi - you didn't like the Junya Watanabe asymmetrical cardigan? I loved it! Though I will admit I think it would have been better worn over a straighter silhouette, like a pencil skirt, rather than the full-skirted dress Mrs. O paired it with. But I have been pining for that sweater ever since...and I believe she has it in two different colors! Sadly, I can never hope to afford designer duds like that, but maybe someday, via resale...
@ Christina - I haven't gotten my cardigan yet either. And I, too, hesitated about which color to get, but ended up with olive since I don't really have much in that particular color. LOL.
I think the fact that Mrs. O has a distinct look, which includes sticking to certain pieces, speaks volumes to the "accidental fashionista" that is Mrs. O.
I love the style and colors today, particularly the ballet flats--nice touch and loved them from the Easter Egg Roll.
...Side note, this was the best written article I've read describing Michelle's role with Ikram. It really highlights that Michelle is in complete control and that she really is with Ikram primarily for her discretion. There's a lot of great boutiques around, but Ikram seems to really be protective of Michelle, which is good---when you're in the White House it's hard to know who to trust.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mandi-norwood/michelle-obamas-secret-st_b_195711.html
So very tired of the cardigans and the puffy pleated skirts. I'm not a fan of the 50s housewife look, though I thought the dress she wore to the Sojourner Truth ceremony was gorgeous. But the cardigans and pleats, not my favorite look. But that is the kind of thing children like so it was a very fitting outfit for the occasion. What 5 year old girl doesn't want to dress up in a big twirly skirt?! LOL
Ok...this is going to make y'alls hearts melt.
www(dot)politico(dot)com/singletitlevideo(dot)html?bcpid=1155201977&bctid=22055214001
And the White House intern program is a great idea!!!
Hey Groovymarlin you may have me mistaken for someone else. I actually loved the asymetrical sweater. I still love it! I thought it was fresh and funky.
ivy979,
I agree I like she sort of telling all her critques I will do it "MY WAY" and no other way folks...lol
Even though I can never see my self wearing some of her outfits. I still respect that she is a grown woman who can pick and chose what she likes and wear it. Just imagine in certain other countries woman are not allowed to wear what they want.
But here is Michelle not caring what the fashion critics have to say about her clothing choices. Damn it feels good to be a woman who lives a country wear you can dress how you please.
@ IVA--thanks for that great video!
It did my heart good. She is really comfortable around all ages and in all settings, and those kids just loved her. I'm having such a horrid day at work, but after viewing that video, I am determined to be positive and think happy thoughts!
Kudos to Mrs. O for starting the first summer White House intern program for D.C students---great idea!
Wow. Thank you IVA for that video link.
It is so wonderful that she is opening up the White House to the D.C. community which is largely a minority filled district. I also love how she doesn't just visit the well to do D.C. schools, she visits the ones with underprivileged kids in the communities you don't really hear about. It is a testament to how in touch she is with the needs of these children and the possibilities that can be open to them through the white house.
I always wondered why so many other previous presidents and first ladies never really paid attention to the problems that plague the D.C. community, particularly minorities. Laura Bush promoted literacy as her platform as first lady, and i have never seen or heard of her visit the largely minority schools in her own community.
@Janelle - glad to share some sunshine on your otherwise horrid day. We've all been there. I'm having a completely useless day, so I'm going to be in a bad mood tomorrow when I actually have to get myself focused on all of the work I'm now behind on.
Also, thanks for the link on Ikram. I really like that Ikram is so protective of Mrs. O. I don't know much about the ins-and-outs of the fashion industry, but I imagine loyalty is hard to come by.
Smart, sincere, gorgeous. So proud of our First Lady.
I agree.. i dont understand people who want her to dress they way they would or want her to dress. Where were you on her journey to where she and President are today-- in a what appears to be very loving, sincere, successful Life!
aghhhhhh but will end with :)))) b/c i really dont sweat the small stuff!!!!
Not going to post a fashion opinion on this thread. It's clear that if one doesn't care for the look or the repetitiveness of the argyle, one will be torpedoed.
That is not what an open discussion of fashion is supposed to be.
If this is simply a fan magazine, that's fine. But it should be renamed. Only fair to have full disclosure from the good lady who runs the thread (not the self-appointed nannies) so that no well-meaning person stumbles into what turns out to be a minefield.
This is a lovely look. Violet is big this spring and it also has been a big year for argyles, as well as full skirts. (I just got a manicure, and decided to get OPI's The Violet, The Better. It's just a little more purple than pink, but passes for pink.)
Mrs. O standing next to the President right now at cnn(dot)com/live. Beautiful yellow dress! Gorgeous earrings!
On a side note: Mrs. O had a lady's night last night with her girlfriends!! :p
Here's the article:
www(dot)politico(dot)com/blogs/anneschroeder/0509/Michelle_Obama_at_Art_and_Soul_last_night(dot)html
So date night Saturday night and Ladies Night Sunday night.
THX Janelle
It had silver sequins on it and she was wearing dangling earrings.
BeeGee -- I've read several times here, "if you don't like what [so-and-so] says, just ignore it." Just say what you want to say. I said that this particular shade looks too cutesy to me, and I don't feel like I've been torpedoed. (Maybe I'm just numb to criticism...? Nah!)
Sometimes people are going to disagree. This has been pretty gentle so far. When it has about 60 posts is when the claws will come out. About 100 posts is when things start getting truly insane.
I didn't get to see much from the yellow dress, I'll wait for the pics
oh my gosh the video clip is all kinds of adorbs. the children just melts my heart. flotus looks perfect and i love how the children respond to her. beautiful
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FsClWhoMEw
Video of Michelle last night at the Kennedy Center
Her dress looked green on the live feed on my computer. Like a lime green. And it had little colored dots on it - like beads. Very, very tiny beads splashed throughout the top and neckline.
those kids are too cute, and everyone looks like they are having a great time. lavender is lovely on mrs. o as well.