Thursday
Jun252009
Trimmed in Lace for the Luau
Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 7:57 PM 
Photo by Mandel Ngan
We *love* Mrs. O's choice of dress for tonight's White House luau. Her lei seems to coordinate with the purple floral print of her dress. And what is that peek of orange fabric at the neck? Plus the lace trim... This is one of our favorites of recent weeks. What a delight of a dress!
We have a hunch that this may be another Tracy Feith creation, showcasing the designer's trademark mix of prints and texture. Click here to see a similar version of the Spirit dress by Tracy Feith.
tagged Tracy Feith
Tracy Feith
Reader Comments (93)
Plaid or not plaid, this is a great house dress aka muu muu for a Hawaiian luau. Here is a side view,
http://www.daylife.com/photo/01TUasT1Hg7dJ
quite extraordinary. Can't afford to buy it so I will make one for myself.
I'm sure the girls walk the dog, but we will never see it unless one of the parents are with them (most likely the Pres) because the press are not allowed to just snap pics of the girls freely. Also, she wouldn't need a bag on this pic because the dog had been walked earlier (video on politico) and as far as the other pics of her walking the dog; maybe the bag is in her pocket because you don't know if a dog is going to poop every time you walk it.
Marabout40: I am sick and tired of your nasty, sarcastic comments to other posters. Take it elsewhere. The O's DID say the girls would be taking responsibility for Bo...hasn't happened yet.
Great fashion topic, let's discuss Bo's pooping habits.....
Here's the dress at Tracy Leith's website:
http://www.25park.com/spirit-dress.html#
Correction: Here's the dress at Tracy Feith's website:
http://www.25park.com/spirit-dress.html#
(Sorry about the misspelling. Also didn't notice the link to this website in original post.)
@ Lily O & Sharon Nelson, you guys are right on the posting of the pics before MJ's death.
The solemn look on both their facees must be about something else...And my bad on Desiree's surname - I also personally know a Desiree Roberts hence the typo...
Cheers!
Hi BeeGee, I've had the link in my original post since last night. Thanks!
@Christen @ Phyllis W:
I remember reading an interview from Michelle's brother not terribly long ago saying that Michelle always wanted a dog. Maybe she's not *letting* the girls take care of Bo, LOL.
I don't see why the whole family can't love him and help take care of him. And of course, the kids are just kids -- an adult has to be in charge. And also we don't know their life, other than through photos. So how can we possibly tell from a photo and a lack of a pooper scooper what the girls are doing or not doing? It just seems like a bit of a stretch to say that the kids are somehow being derelict because Mrs. O happens to be holding the leash.
Christen, get over yourself dear. Who appointed you moderator of what people say on this blog? How do you know what the Obama's are doing with their children? You have no clue. It's people like you and the poster I was responding to that bring the negativity to this blog.
i also expected to see the kids with the dog more, but i knew when i saw bo being introduced the press and saw mainly michelle walking the dog that she would be the primary caretalker/walker.
also the mumuu/housedress is very pretty for a luau at home. no its not for the fashionista museum, its a comfortable looking outfit she probably wont have to worry about getting barbeque pork on. THATS THE MEASURE of a good mumuu as far as i am concerned! lol! i like the lace, and i am glad flotus is not afraid of it. women dont wear enough lace especially in the summer.
"Are we not allowed to give honest opinions here?
boy would i like to bury that whiny line in a hole somewhere. if your views are being posted, why continue to say it?
marabout40 dear,
Check your posts you appear to be Ms.Snarky.
Time to get over yourself......IMHO
Bo's growing to be a very pretty doggie. I wonder if he is full-size or if he has a little more height to go.
ms stylist,
Muumuus are supposed to be above all comfortable. Skimming the figure is not comfortable. Remember their history, minister types got the Hawaiian ladies to wear them instead of going half au natural.
By the way, how does one register? I see the note to do so, but it is not a link.
Re this Feith dress (of which I am not fond), it IS an adaptation of one type of muumuu (see examples of its ruffle-shouldered inspiration here).
http://classichawaiianproducts.com/products.asp?cat=148
This is a long way from the original muumuus which were not native Hawaiian clothing (native Hawaiians were a pretty naked crowd who wrapped fabric and other materials around their odies). Rather, the muumuu was a creation of the missionaries who were trying to civilize the native Hawaiians while taking care of their own sensibilities. Modesty. Consequently the originals looked a lot like free-flowing, flounced American prairie dresses. Housedresses.
So everyone here seems to have been a little bit right!
This quibbling over what the girls do is rather silly. We will never see the girls walk the dog nor do we see Michelle walk the dog unless she slips up as she did that Sunday when the President came back from golfing while she was out there. Want to bet that we'll never see her again?
From what I read: The President during one of his Father's Day events said the girls make their beds, walk the dog, feed the dog and do their homework. I take him at his word.
The First Lady said they all have scheduled times to walk the dog. She takes the dog out first in the early morning and some during the day. The girls take their turns, too. The President takes him out last in the late evening 9:30 or so. I take her at her word.
Mrs. O radiates beauty in most everything she wears and does! I love watching her. She's an amazing woman.
On the Bo issue - speaking as a woman with a dog she is madly in love with, I think there is a chance Michelle simply does not want to give him over to someone else much of the time. In interviews, she sounds completely besotted with Bo, which is pretty much the point of having a dog, right? Everything I've read points to her being a consistent voice in terms of her girls taking responsibility for various chores, including dog walking duty. (The president is on the schedule too - remember the NBC interview when he said he was out there the last thing at night "pickin' up the poop. ") They may have a schedule, and this walk occurred outside of it. Maybe it was an unplanned appearance at the luau.
He is adorable - not as adorable as my little darling of course . . .
I have the feeling some people are posting from work on a Friday afternoon; otherwise the discussion about the dog wouldnt be in such detail. Mrs. O looks nice, the dress looks like what I took to the hospital for the last baby.
Operafanatic,
I don't even know why they brought up this "walking Bo" conversation because this was not a walk for him. I guess they figured it was luau, they all are outside, everybody is fascinated with Bo, so they thought it would be cool to bring their dog to their luau. It was a family affair. I agree with you, Bo is pretty adorable.
Bo is adorable, high spirited, but that fits this family well. I, too, think Michelle dearly loves him and has alluded to it in interviews and I think she handles the bulk of the training. Sometime after everyone else is in bed, the President takes him for a walk. Michelle said that once she is asleep, she doesn't care when he does it--Just don't let Bo have an accident inside. I think the President is pretty fond of him, too. Now that the girls are out of school, they may walk him more.
Dogs are wonderful creatures--your little darling, too. And they ask so little and love you no matter what.
On this dress. Colors are lovely and she looks great. She and the President kind of match. But I don't like the lace--anywhere.
Bo is very cute!
Shelly
Briana, are you from Hawaii? I enjoyed your reaction to the dress
@ the other jenna not originally an hawaiian, got family there and just excited about the whole luau. I guess i was just excited that folks get to see that there is more to hawaii than just an hawaiian t-shirt and just maybe people would be curiious to learn more. Sorry if i was too happy. By the way u are too funny with the "pooping habits."
By the way, leave BO alone folks. We cannot be in their daily business like that. If you want to see if the kids walk the kids then folks can stand in front of the whitehouse to check everyday or write a letter. They are attending a function and it is appropriate for mom or dad to walk the dog there, instead of the dog pulling the kids. Gosh, folks just nitpick stuff or anything.
Have a great weekend folks and enjoy life every second.
This is off topic somewhat, but we are always looking for new pictures and I didn't want to post somewhere that people might not see.
If you are not familiar with www.michelleostyle.blogspot.com, check it out. It has some of the best - and largest - pictures I've seen. If you ever wanted to see how her makeup is done, this is the place for you. (Serious eyeliner, top and bottom!) There is also lots to read, and apparently they archive pretty far back.
Have fun!
No, Marabout, YOU are the negativity. I was NOT saying anything other than the O's did say the girls would eventually take responsibility for Bo. I know the girls are still young, and of course, he is a family dog and no one person's responsibility at this point. I was not insinuating in the least that they have the Secret Service or anyone else picking up after their dog. I have three kids....I know how long it takes for them to take responsibility for a pet. Marabout, you read TOO MUCH into other people's comments and are unnecessarily bringing sarcasm into your every comment. You are also very patronizing. You must think that using sarcasm makes you sound oh, so intelligent. It doesn't.
Regarding the weight issue...in some parts of the country being stick thin just is'nt a priority. Women actually have curves and thighs and meat on their bones and they dont freak out if they gain a few pounds. In certain parts of this country any sign of fat is a moral judgement against women. Judging from the hula dance the president likes what he sees. I just can't get caught up in the unhappy cult of perfection. I honestly don't study Mrs. O's clothes to look at the so called fit. Perfection is boring.
I like that the dress is easygoing and stylish. Seems something that anyone might wear to a Luau. But I most like that Malia is wearing braids and a not too fussed over outfit. Seems that they get to be kids as much as possible.
FollowingTheFirstLady.com
....I love Mrs. O....but this reminds me of the robes & aprons my grandmother made and wore around the house....I am hoping that underneath is a fabulous orange dress perhaps?
I shouldn't be off topic, but simply because the dog was for the girls, doesn't mean that other adults can't hold the leash while they are walking. Also, most dogs are somewhat regular in defecating, so perhaps he had already gone.
People, people, people. Leave her thighs alone! She is a black woman and we have thighs AND we are proud of them. They are not a "problem" for us. It is part of "our" beauty along with the"butt" so give her a rest. She is a perfect black and proud to be black woman.
This dress has summer and Hawaii written all over it. Who is it by, and where can I find a muumuu that looks as interesting and comfortable as this?
BTW, I really love that Michelle is nothing like previous first ladies. Could you see Laura in a muumuu...lol.
Michelle Obama looks great most of the time, but this outfit looks like a house dress. Actually I thought it was until I read that it was a dress for the luau.
@Christen I also would like to see Michelle in something other than a cropped pant. I don't think the cropped pant looks flattering on her but she seems to love them. Longer is better.
I actually like this dress because it fits the occasion. It would be horrible if worn anywhere else. I hope she doesn't repeat this outfit until the next luau. Bo is gorgeous and getting so big. The President was in such a great mood. The whole family looks fabulous. I think the luau was a wonderful idea. Desiree Rogers seems to be doing a great job. Tracy Feith has a new line at Target. I looked at the pieces and they were cute. Next up, I really hope to see Michelle in Rodarte very soon. Imagine that!
Sorry but this is awful. Looks like a nightgown, so many choices out there . . . hard to believe she chose this one.
For goodness sakes, this a luau. I think she looks comfortable and adorable. The girls look so happy to be included and they look sweet. I love the picture with Bo, Mrs. O and Malia. Again, they look so happy. I have not seen one picture of Michelle when she looked stressed. I don't know how she does it. She is perfect as First Lady. I'm so proud of her.
We all know no matter how well intentioned we are, mom ALWAYS ends up taking care of the dog/cat/bird/goldfish/hamster or else the poor things would die from starvation and dehydration, they would never get walked and they certainly would not have clean yards to walk in. It just is what it is.
I think someone earlier on said it best.....this dress is "old" Hawaii with a modern little kick. I like it on Mrs. O. even though it would never work on me. Looks like something easy to wear while entertaining or hanging out at the house. Why shouldn't Mrs. O have a chance to do that like all the rest of us? She still brings it with her beautiful makeup and hair and those amazing upper arms that I envy sooooo much!!
It doesn't look very flattering or beautiful to me but since I have no idea about muumuu's ect. I probably can't appreciate the appropriatness of this dress. And anyway, the dress looks really comfy and uncomplicated and I guess if you are always in the media and everything you will appreciate if you have the possibility for once to wear something like that.
For those complaining about her dress, I'm from Hawaii, she is wearing a customary casual dress that MANY Hawaiians wear. That is why the shape is so round, most Hawaiians are LOL
But seriously, go into any neighborhood in Hawaii and you will see plenty of people wearing a dress like that. I wouldn't be surprised if she actually ordered it from the Island
Mahalo, Laura! I love the acceptance Hawaiians have of any person's race, religion, skin color or size. I'm sure they love both of the Obamas for their acceptance of the same.
You know she has said she is no fashionista, and I think sometimes she really wants to "let down her hair' as it were, and just be relaxed and simple. This certainly looked as though she walked out of her bedroom to go into the kitchen to prepare breakfast for the family... . Every day would not be a perfect dress-up day..... she does have bad days, and must be allowed that.
Ugh. the dress is ugly and isn't flattering. Get rid of the lace, for crying out loud.
The people who like this dress are either blind or crazy. It looks like a giant mumu. Plus, the white lace around her hips makes them look wider than they actually are.