Thursday
May072009
Pretty O
Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 12:04 PM 
Photo by Yuri Gripas / Reuters
Mrs. O attended a meeting with representatives from Corporate Voices for Working Families, an organization that aims to improve the lives of working families.
First Lady Mrs. O told the group:
"We need to discuss flexible work hours. We need to discuss paid leave for birth and adoption. We need to discuss quality on site child care."
Mrs. O is wearing the floral Etro blouse we got just a peek of in Strasbourg, over a lilac camisole. The layered tops are cinched at the waist with a studded belt by Sacai.
Reader Comments (159)
@ Lilly
I think you are on to something, Sherlock!
I always thought she used it due to something about her high waist.
Come on Zizi, don't knock us for being honest! We know all that! We are just doiung what we should be doing on the fashion blog: We ooh and aaah when she amazes us and we complain when she does not! We know she is human, we know she does good work, we know she is wonderful, but she still happens to wear some clothes today that did not push our wow buttons. It's all in good fun.
The top is too busy to have a belt with studs on it, another busy pattern. I think that belt will probably only work with solids. Speaking in generalities here of course...
Mmmmmmm....you're probably right, Lilly. She's small-busted and very short-waisted, so a belt AT her waist does put it right under the bustline. Problem with that, the way I see it, is that the belt then accentuates her hips (which are, honestly, disproportionately large compared to her bust). Proportion is a tricky thing: for example, I am as tall as Mrs. Obama, but am very long-waisted with shorter legs. So I try to wear belts slightly above my natural waist and avoid drop-waisted stuff like the plague.
@ Christina you have me laughing everyday--you are too funny! God bless Mrs. O's belts and I hope the President and her family give she and Mrs. Robinson a great Mother's Day!
Thank God I am home today, cause I just saw Christina's comment and screamed! Ha ha ha!!!!
@ Mrs. A---totally agree that this belt is so dramatic with a busy pattern that it should only be used with solids or a print lighter and less busy.
@Lilly, I get to work from home for the next several days (yay) and I am not going to apologize for blowing this blog up and neither should you while on vacation! I'm learning a lot from other people and look forward to reading what everyone says whether I agree or not so blog on! LOL
(LOL)Thanks Janelle! and Yes, Christina's metaphors are the best! You should consider being a fashion critic for your area newspaper or a magazine or something!
Glad to provide laughs!
I do take Brook's point that without the belt, this ensemble might have looked a bit precious with the large floral pattern. That's another way of looking at it.
I have a mixed reaction to this outfit. I actually love the colors of this floral blouse/sweater. And they are great with Michelle's skin. I don't care for the belt on this outfit, and the collar seems to be too open with too much bare skin showing -- like it needs a necklace or something to balance it with the busyness of the blouse -- but then a necklace would probably fight with that busyness as well...
But then I look up at Michelle's calm, confident, joyous, enthusiastic face, and it overpowers my "not-quite-working" reaction to her clothes. Her face displays so much of what inspires and makes me feel good about her, that even the "not-quite-working" thing becomes part of what I love about her.
I think one of the things she tries to teach her daughters is not to fear to fail, because that fear would stop them from trying things. Maybe that's what I love about Michelle's "not-quite-working" looks. She is fearless. She encourages all of us to be fearless, to try things, even if we may not totally succeed. Isn't that liberating?
@ Willow--amen to that, well said.
I will start by saying that I love Mrs. O and most of the time I think she looks amazing.
This is not one of those times.
While I like the blouse, I echo the sentiment that it didn't need the belt and looks messy unbuttoned. However, I'm more puzzled by the way Mrs. O wears this, and all belts. Is this wearing of a belt so high on the torso that it's nearly at the bust line a fashion-forward thing? Because to me it looks SOOO uncomfortable. In the photos, I'd guesstimate that the bottom edge of the belt is falling just above where Mrs. O's natural waistline is. Why does she always wear belts so much higher than her waist?
Of course I'm very long-waisted myself, so to me this style looks like torture. Perhaps Mrs. O is somewhat short-waisted and thus, this look is comfortable for her? Or is it, like I said, a fashion-forward thing? Is she starting a trend?
FL Obama is breathtakingly beautiful!!
Oh! Mrs O looks absolutely beautiful! What a fantastic ensemble with rich colours. Her make up is immaculate. This is a breath of fresh air. This outfit seriously brings out a collage of spring flowers - lovely and uplifting!
Mrs O Admirer
UK
Bevi-
On the other thread you said: "“This Week with Barack Obama” blog there is a list of books that have been published about Michelle’s fashion and style...."
There are a million links on that website! Where did you see the list link? In an article or on a link on the left side or right side of the page - how far down the page, etc.?
When she looks in the mirror, she must be so dazzled by that gorgeous, glowing, flawless hair, skin, and makeup that she doesn't even see how strange these belts look! So my mind can't decide where to focus: my jealousy of her natural radiance or my complete confusion over the--in my opinion--problem with belts and proportion.
@Groovymarlin:
I mentioned this earlier -- I honestly think that the belt is hitting more at her actual waistline (a little above and a little below, since it's a wide belt). I think she is beautifully mostly all legs with a short torso.
I think this becomes more clear with the less-wide Alaia belt she also favors. Dollars to donuts she's not wearing that belt "high," she's wearing that belt where her waist is. And her waist isn't too far below her bust.
Anyway. I'm not trying to "swoon" but I like the colors in this blouse very much.
contrary to pretty much everyone else, it isn't the belt i don't like but rather the trim on the collar, sleeves, and bottom of the blouse. the blouse would be prettier without all that trim, and then the belt would look much better with it. i will say that i can understand a reluctance to wear a suit to an event like this; putting on a power suit & looking like you're "going to work" when you go and talk about work/family issues, almost seems bound to bring out the "oh horror she's touching on policy" chorus in full force.
i happen to love mrs. o's expressive face, it certainly beats the dazed xanax induced mask of previous first ladies; i hope she never ends up like that. i don't envy her constantly getting photographed from minute to minute; mid sentence, mid movement etc.
Christina,
I know you've said this before, and you certainly could be right. If so, however, I think her outfits would look much better without the belts altogether.
@Mrs. G -- I'm with you!
Oh, I'm definitely not arguing whether the belts are good or not! I just think she wears them high because she has a high waist.
I echo Willow above -- to talk about clothes is one thing, but to me she is, overall, such a cool lady. And I don't mean "she's a cool lady so I can overlook her clothes," I mean she's a cool lady and her flats, cardigans, skirts and yes belts are all a part of the package that I enjoy.
Well I quite like seeing the floral with the "Drop And Give Me 20" belt (as it will henceforward be known). I like the contrast. I'm also quite happy seeing the top unbuttoned. There's a nice collar/hip balance with it undone, for me. The proportions are right.
Love the issues she's talking about - it's time this was sorted out all over the world. Time we stopped choosing between work and family and chose both. Time all parents had equal opportunities to go to work and not worry about quality childcare.
Go Mrs O.
Re the suit thing - I think it would be great if the suit disappeared. Women only wear suits because men do. Men only wear suits because it's a way of appearing in the office that is unmarked. But while a man in a suit is unmarked, a woman in a suit never is. Go figure. So the death of the suit, for me, equals the beginning of real equality in the workplace.
@ Posh Tater,
That's what I'm talking about. Name it and claim it. Let's give props to Christina for the words and to you for the idea of the "Drop and Give Me 20" belt because only a woman of power and strength can wear it. Also, I predict it will be a favorite of Mrs. O's this year, so we all might as well face that fact---love it or not. It is quite a powerful belt. Love Michelle.
I love the fact that women have the liberty of a great deal of variety in our wardrobes! I love dresses, skirts, pants and even suits. I personally wouldn't want the suit to die because I don't think the structured power suit is the only suit option. There are so many soft, feminine, unstructured jackets that a suit can be quite feminine and sexy (I think).
I like this look because this is Michelle style and no else. She wears clothing how she wants and does not care what others think. She looks happy I notice in no matter what she wears.
You guys....I cannot stress to you enough that those big belts are meant to be worn high, and not necessarily at your waist like a normal belt. And think about it...those belts are so wide that your butt would make the belt ride up.
Christina - I look forward to hearing about your signature style too. Mine is probably black. I am always wearing something black, and it's a shame because I've been told I can pull off many different colors. I just love wearing black though.
Iva:
I respectuflly disagree.
Wide belts are meant to be worn on your natural waistline. Again, this is Mrs. Obama natural waist as she is "short waisted".
I can't imagine anyone wearing a belt higher than your natural waistline as that would be not be comfortable.
Just saying.
Forgot to add:
Also, I have worn wide belts and my posterior does not make the belt ride up. It stays where it should, on my waist.
Thinner belts have a tendency to not stay at the waist. They tend to move around, but not wider ones.
Just my humble opinion.
I wanted to add another thought. I think I've heard Michelle say things like she wants to live her life with gusto and have a good time doing it. She also has a great sense of humor, having grown up in a home where her parents encouraged humor about everything.
I think she just loves putting on clothes that please her and going out the door with gusto, even with a sense of humor about things that may not work.
She works hard to look good for special occasions, but I think she enjoys being more relaxed about what she puts together on a daily basis.
We all love her for not being a Stepford wife. Wouldn't the pressure to dress perfectly every day feel like a straight-jacket to such a spirit? It would to me. I love her imperfections! (Stated with a victorious, rebellious, and mischievous smile.)
Regarding the wide belt discussion and it's correct placement. I think there is no right or wrong way to wear them. Depending on the outfit and the look you are trying to go for, you can wear it either way. The important thing is that you place it in a good place in relation to your body type.
@ Post Tater - I find your viewpoints on suits to be quite extreme. "Women wear suits because men do?" I beg to differ. I like to wear suits when the occasion allows because I actually like them and how I look in them. My husband likes me in them too. I think that every single time that I have come home in a suit, it turns him on and makes for a fun evening. I know, TMI.
You know what? I like this look very much. She's great and yes, I ditto the comments of others regarding her skin. Her skin is flawless - it glows so radiantly. I know that if she were ever to reveal what skin products she uses that company would get a major boost in sales.
Mrs A:
Again, I tend to disagree.
Belts are generally worn at one's waist (not above or below).
People with short waists, as some have blogged about, tend to wear their belts not at the natural waist because it truncates the body. In other words, it makes the torso appear short.
Mrs. Obama likes belts. It is her choice to wear what she likes.
Enjoy the evening.
if the beautiful blouse was buttoned probably, the belt might have a more striking effect....for now it looks a little disheveled. Her make up and hair as always is impeccable.
I agree with both JG and Mrs. T.....belts and how one puts them on, depends on the body type and style. Wearing belts on high or very low waist is better for fit women and we all know 1st lady is extremely fit and sexy for her age.
However, my problem with some of the belt choices FLOTUS makes has more to do with wearing it with the wrong outfit than wearing it 2 high on the waist.
The pictures of this events doesn't look as great as the video. She looks great.
Her hair and makeup are impeccable as usual. Crazy about the peachy-pinky lipstick. Love the lilac color camisole against her skin. It'd be great seeing more of that color in another outfit this spring and summer.
Not loving the blouse and the belt at all. The collar has a sloppy, dishevelled look and I'm not sure I "get" a wide, structured almost "biker" belt like that with a floaty, print blouse. Seems like she pulled together some disparate parts to make an outfit - but it's not quite happening. Hey, we all have our days and I feel our first lady is doing a fabulous job - which as much as we all love fashion - is the most important thing. Thanks Mr. and Mrs. O!!!
I just saw Mrs. O speaking at this event just now on CNN, and I have to say, it looked very nice on TV. I still hold to my comments based on the photos here, but on television as she was standing at the podium, the "Drop and Give Me 20" belt looked really nice with the print blouse....interesting. On TV, it didn't look have that busy look and the colors looked gorgeous.
Zizi: I'm glad to find that there are still some of us not fooled by the insulting digs camouflaged with some cheery "its all in good-natured fashion fun" dribble, constantly taken at Mrs Obama under the guise of "honest fashion criticism"-
Fashion blog it may be, but clearly Mrs A and those who concur with her do a pretty good job of lobbing well caliberated and measured insults at the first lady even if cunningly wrapped up in a bit of lighthearted and flippant verbage-
Style and fashion remain infinitely subjective; Dissecting the first lady's (or any other person's for that matter)physical attributes in explicit and vulgar terms while declaring her a "dishelled mess", will never be acceptable.
The guilty parties have steadily convinced many smarter regulars here that it is ok to have a dissenting opinion and that their mostly rude and borderline insulting posts represent that contrary opinion...
How unfortunate, because there can and should never be any justification for this sort of over familiar, contemptuous and presumptuous messaging especially on this blog that purports to celebrate this remarkable woman-
There are a ton of blogs out there that cater more to the Nancy, Mrs A, Mara, BeeGee mindset...
To turn this last haven of decent and upbeat Mrs O sharing over to the snarkers, would not only be a shame, but quite a loss-
Thank you Mrs T., Zizi, Toi, Bevi, Christina, Posh Tater, IVA, Janelle, Willow, Tia, C., LayoG and all the other wonderful, lovely and positive people with absolutely no agenda or ulterior motives; who consistently make this an uplifting blog worth returning to...
Right now, I am not able to have a thorough discussion about where the wide belt is to be worn, (and it's not that important either) but my understanding is that these belts are supposed to be worn high - kind of replicating the high-waisted pants which have recently come back. I'm not suggesting you wear them right under your bust, but I've been told they are to be worn higher than you'd wear the normal-sized belt that you'd loop in your pants or jeans.
"disheveled mess"...
Michelle's words today from this event:
http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2009/05/michelle_obama_120percenter.html
Mrs. Obama's skin and hair --- always so pretty and she has an extraordinary glowing skin. She has good make-up and hair style artists highlighting her great assets. The blouse print is lovely and brightens even more her smile and glow. I like it very much - she can show very well her toned body!
But the belt (Oh - the belts...)is not a good thing here - my honest opinion. I read other bloggers here, mentioning the same thing.
Just too busy of a belt - too wide - too chuncky - for the nice soft, springy and pretty floral blouse which is also buttoned with contrasting collar and sleeves trims.
She wore this blouse and belt in Europe, with the big bow blouse and under a jacket! Just too much - even when all of the pieces are pretty - separately; not combined.
I know that she wants to dress with pretty pieces and some of them casual but -- how gorgeous she looks when she keeps it simple - straight lines - like last night's
dress and the gorgeous strapless Governors' dinner dress.
But who knows how all these pieces look "in person". Pictures are sometimes very deceiving.
Some of these busy outfits detract a bit from her beauty and her enviable toned body!
I love the fabric of the printed blouse - I loved it when she wore it in Europe and at that time we couldn't even see much of it peeking out from under the Alaia jacket.
As far as the belts: I like WIDE belts especially black 'leather' ones. I am just hoping that Michelle will add another 10 or 20 of black ones to her closet so that there will be a bigger variety, my only dislike is when she wears the same ones within a too short of time frame.
The belt she wore with the printed blouse looks like it is 'fabric' and has a lighter color than the blouse trim and 'in my opinion' a leather one would have looked better with dark black trim of the blouse.
Michelle's hair in the photo looks great! Much better than the 'covered right ear helmet/cap up-do' she had at the TIME100 event.
There was an old film awhile back on TV, I can't remember the name of it, but in one scene on of the actresses 'always' had a photo taken of herself before she went out of the house and if she didn't like how the outfit looked she changed clothes. I think that is a good idea for anyone that is in the public eye.
@ Leah D - Hi Leah - I am a total blog idiot. My apologies to you for not being explicit. That site is like a black hole in the universe. Yikes. I can't believe I make a living working via internet. Here is the link:
http://eastwingrules.blogspot.com/search/label/Biography
You scroll down about halfway and you will see books that "revolve". You can click on any book and you will get a little link to Amazon with the price of the book.
Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Bevi
From now on, I am going to quote Christina and Posh - They got the moves!
I like Michael Kors and hopes he gets his props from all the media after this little mistake in identification. Does anyone think that the White House would approve of a Project Runway challenge with a ball gown for Michelle as the topic? Or is that too bush league? It would be kind of interesting with Michael Kors as a judge.
I do have to say, I had a delightful exchange with several posters in the dead of the night with Alaia as the topic, and I learned a great deal. So the little mistake was good for me!
Lily, I was thinking the same thing..I think she wears the belts so high because she is kinda flat chested or should I say small chested..so I thinks she wears them high to get a boost..lol.
So pretty. It really works on her. I'm loving the fact that she wears belts higher up. It really works on her. I also love that she's a First Lady who wears makeup that we can see. Most wore makeup that you couldn't really see.
I dont think anyone's waist is way up there. But having the belt there makes her waist look smaller.
Okay, I didn't want to go there because I thought these pictures were kind of intrusive. But, they exist and they're on the web, so...
Remember the paparazzi shots of the Obamas in Hawaii, after the election? Remember Michelle's bathing suit?
http(colon)//bossip(dot)com/67627/part-ii-of-the-obama-family-getaway/michelle-obama-in-hawaii-1/
Do you see the natural curve in her torso? It's just high. I always thought that one's waist is the narrowest part of the torso, right?
I don't wear pants or skirts on my own natural waist because if I did I'd have them pulled up really high and I'd look like Ed Grimley. I prefer them to fall more around my hips. And you can see that she's wearing the pareo down around her hips, too.
But for wide belts like what she favors, it's probably more comfortable to wear them at her natural waist. Which is high.
But Audrey, how can you tell someone's so-called ulterior "motives"? You have no idea who is who on the Internet, for all you know all those Mrs. O lovers you mentioned might be staunch right-wing conservatives who just happen to appreciate Mrs. O and the way she dresses while the others that you disagree with can be the most pro-Obama people ever who just don't identify with Mrs. O's style. Call me crazy, but I do not think we should infer hidden meaning to other people's words and call them “snarkers” or any other derogatory name. Sometimes, we should just take what someone says at face value. From your posts, I know that you are indeed a loyal and staunch Mrs. O defender, and that is very admirable. You certainly do have the right to your own opinion in thinking and saying that a poster could have been more diplomatic about a critique, but to chase them away and imply that they are "insulting" Mrs. O's character or physical attributes is simply disingenuous. The stated blog is not to simply "celebrate" Mrs. O, as you put it; is to “to chronicle Mrs.O’ s look, while providing fashion commentary and information.” And truly calling an outfit and not Mrs. O “a disheveled mess” is a legitimate fashion criticism and in no way impugn on Mrs. O’s character. I may not like the comment, but I should not hate on the poster either.