Tuesday
Jul212009
Elegance Epitomized
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at 11:28 PM 
Photo by Getty Images / Pool
President Mr. O and First Lady Mrs. O hosted a celebration of country music in the East Room of the White House this evening, including performances from Charley Pride, Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss and Union Station.
Mrs. O has absolutely wowed in her white summer dress. She looks every bit the part of a modern first lady - and we do love the soft swept updo (or is it a new cut?). What does everyone think? More fabulous photos here and here.
Update #1: Mrs. O wears a dress by Michael Kors, in embroidered white cotton batiste.
Update #2: InStyle has confirmed that Mrs. O's 'do is simply that, not a new haircut. Click here to read. More detail from Johnny Wright here.
tagged Michael Kors
Michael Kors
Reader Comments (106)
For those of you who still think the first lady cut her hair, here she is with the same "do" when she visited the DOT back in February. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/02/20/2009-02-20_first_lady_michelle_obama_debuts_new_hai.html. As you can see from the article, It caused a stir then too.
She also wore the same style the night of the Governor's Ball when she wore that knock out black, sequined, strap-less, floor-length evening gown with the layers of pearls around her neck.
Two of my favorite pictures from last night are this one: http://justjared.buzznet.com/gallery/photos.php?yr=2009&mon=07&evt=obama-short&pic=michelle-obama-short-hair-02.jpg and this one: http://www.daylife.com/photo/03Wle0idnzcGy
See more pics and close ups at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/22/michelle-obama-sports-new_n_242462.html
I love, love, love this dress and the whole look. Perfect.
If this is a haircut, I like it on her, but her mom has the exact same cut.
My screen name says exactly how I feel about this look!!!!!
I LOVE the new hair. She takes my breath away. Sigh.
Very 50's elegant look. Thank you for not putting a belt on it!!!
hi!
Thanks operafanatic and willa for reading my comment on the papier broche post and for your words...
I trully admire mrs.o in so many ways!
I have her same type of body (not soo tall of course!)...upper body slim and with some hips, you knoooow... lol...and I normally dont like to wear skirts...only pants....but looking at her...she looks beautiful in skirts...very feminine! so I think I will try some skirts on me too.... :)
Let me say that I love this outfit...the hair looks very romantic to me, and i think the whole look is perfect for the ocassion, a relaxed evening with good music and the love of her life! :)
I hope she comes to south america some day!
Another POINT for the FLOTUS!
This dress epitomizes summer and she looks flawless in it! One of the many things I love about Mrs. Obama is that she wears the clothes; they don't wear her! And in terms of the hair, I'm leaning towards the "I'm going for a shorter look without cutting my hair" thought. It's pinned under. Old styling trick! We'll all know for sure in a few days!
Oh my exquisite First lady Michelle and ever dignified President Obama!
Woo-hoo! Be still my heart-
Once again, another runway look that looks better on MO than it does the anorexic model. Mrs. O actually fills out the dress. Also, I like how she styled it as opposed to the runway. On the runway, it's styled really casually and cheaply. She styles it really nicely and more glamorously.
Thank goodness she is not wearing a BELT.
Cute dress. It has a 1950s type feel, and reminds me of the old Jackie Kennedy photos. While I'm not really feeling the hairdo, it's alright. Mrs. Obama's makeup, as usual, is on point!
Love her, love the dress! The hair? Not so much. . .
NO belt. NO cardigan. She had me there.
Consider the beautiful crisp colour of the dress. Intriguing textured fabric. Ideal length.
Now notice her toned arms. Flawless skin. Sparking eyes. Thick, beautifully styled hair.
She's gorgeous and that's that. No complaint. Lots of admiration.
Do you, Michelle O!
She reminds me of something decadent from the Roaring Twenties. What a divine look on Mrs. O! :)
This picture shows how Mrs O dress sparkles.
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Michelle-Obama/ss/events/pl/050108michelleobama/im:/090722/480/ead6504929424aa6bac2285e42734b56/#photoViewer=/090722/480/0fa5e42440b84d78ab230f884bdd926b
I love it. It is just so crisp and summery. Her hair is cute too. They always look terrific. I hope they are having as much fun as they look to be.
Anybody who missed the health care presser can skim through the remarks and youtube:
http://www.obama-mamas.com/blog/?p=318
What a fabulous, elegant, dignified, glamorous, brilliant couple.
If Mrs. O would ever consider a new hair style, this would be perfect for her; it is quite refined and business-casual, with a flair for fun. However, the dress's neckline is very dowdy; a 'boat' or 'sweetheart'-neckline or V-cut would have been better.
Gorgeous as usual. I think the First Lady has nailed it AGAIN!!! Her dress is perfect. For those who dislike the look, remember, that one cannot look the same way ALL the time and Michelle is definitely a lady with VERSATILITY. SPLENDIFEROUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love the hair, the make-up and the mobile accessory...The President!.... LOL!!!
She looks stunning in this Michael Kors dress. As previously metioned by many, the cut, length and style fit her to the T. Thank you Mrs. T and team for bringing us her amazing style on a regular basis.
Janani
People magazine mentions the hair
http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2009/07/22/michelle-obama-debuts-a-new-cropped-do/
mrs-o.org mentioned on "Today Show" and MSNBC:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32086360/ns/today-white_house/
mrs-o.org mentioned on TODAY SHOW/MSNBC.COM:
"People posted information about her new hairstyle; the blog Mrs. O praised her updo and wondered whether it was actually a new cut.?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32086360/ns/today-white_house/
I ADORE her dress! Wow...she looks beautiful, but you are correct...very modern. I love it!
I think some have gotten too used to the "harsh" controlled look that many female power brokers wield.
I believe this is why Mrs. O wears cardigans, skirts and dresses as opposed to suits. Wearing traditional 'power clothes' would make her look like the exec she is and that would be too threatening to most people in this country. I think she's softened and feminized her style to look more like the Mom-in-Chief and less like Executive.
MICHELLE OBAMA DID NOT CUT HER HAIR SHE PIN IT UNDER OR TUCK IT IN HER HAIR IS STILL THE SAME WAY SHE ALWAYS WEAR IT LONG AND IN A BOOB.
I think this is the prettiest I have ever seen Mrs Obama look. The shape of the dress is very flattering. Personally I think the loose empire fit is so much more flattering that the high-riding belts she wears.
The tucked under hair is lovely and sets off her gorgeous eyes.
When I showed the picture to my husband he said, "Wow, I never realized how beauitful she really is.'
I predicted a similar hairstyle way back in January when speculating about possible ball gowns.
I agree 100% with TROPICALMAAM. Hurrah! You said just what I would have said.
I do love the dress, and would enjoy wearing it (with short sleeves). But it's not exactly what I'd expect the First Lady to wear.
The sleeveless dresses make me uncomfortable. When I was a younger woman, living among the Chinese in Singapore, I was told to always wear sleeves. It's too provocative to always be showing your armpits.
Mrs. O please clarify! Set the record straight!! Style.com is reporting this as a haircut!! Is it an updo or a cut?
Wow! Our first lady has mastered the art of simple elegance. I am enjoying this site and the inspiration that it inspires through first lady Obama.
So pretty! And for anyone who's lived in DC in the summer, the humidity makes it very hard to have longer hair; styles simply don't hold. If it is a cut, it's a perfect one.
I was classified as a non-member in my last post. Why? I did sign in.
Anyway, I predicted this hairstyle last January. See my blog post at:
http://winnowings.blogspot.com/2009/01/first-ladies-gowns.html
Mrs. O is dressed very fashionable most of the time, but there are two dresses I would really like to not see her in anymore; the one is the flowery dress that she returned in from Africa and the other one is the red and black dress she had on the night of the outcome of the elections. Those dresses really do not compliment her and they make her figure look fuller than she really is.
I wonder why so many people are saying this is a haircut when we've seen MO with an updo before.
Mrs O is totally, outrageously beautiful in this adorable dress. Your President looks like a man a'smitten - and with good reason!!!!
April- well thank God "this here is America Jack" (Coming to America) and not Singapore. The only way people are offended when sleeveless is worn around here is if you're a woman sporting a bush, have bye-bye arms, or you smell like onions! Anyway, Mrs Obama looks so radiant, gorgeous, and superb! Proud to call her my first lady! God bless America and the Obama family!
Touche, mrso2! You've hit the nail on the head. I do believe that it does have larger implications that she chooses to dress the way she does. If you go back to the campaign trail pictures, she was wearing "power suits" and "business dresses" until the "for the first time in my adult life I am proud of my country" flap. It does seem to be a calculated move to a certain extent to present herself more in the Jackie Kennedy fashion icon mom-in-chief mode than in the Hillary Clinton 2 for 1 role. Notice how her approval ratings soared since she became more of a "background" first lady. Unfortunately, this is a sad commentary on sexism in America that many of us cannot handle the intelligence of a first lady who is just as accomplished as her husband if not more.
That being said, the dress os pretty. Love the fabric, the do, not so much. And yes, it does have a 1950's feel to it, wehich is I guess what she was going for. The dropped waist is a little childish, and funny enough this is one dress where I wish she would have kept the belt ( I know, crazy, right?) Overall, pretty summer ensemble. It reminds me of a "breath of fresh air"
They both look amazing. Michelle looks glowing! So lovely!
Great sparkle here
http://justjared.buzznet.com/gallery/photoitemfull.php?yr=2009&mon=07&evt=obama-short&pic=michelle-obama-short-hair-08.jpg
I just love thwm both sooooo much...wow they look so ggod together!!!!Michelle is such an inspiration to me
April, times do change. And Mrs. O is not living among the Chinese in Singapore (I'm assuming that is a more conservative culture than our own.) I also don't see where she's showing her armpits and that its "provocative" (armpits as an erogenous zone? Ew), but, that's neither here nor there.
The Other Jenna, that's the best picture I've seen in terms of highlighting details of the dress. I'd love it if folks who thought it was too plain or that it needed a little "something" would take a look at your link and see if they still think the dress is too blah.
After looking at beautiful Michelle, the Trendshop.com adds on the right always scare me!!! I do not feel lik clicking on those horrid faces :(
the other jenna & Christina
Thanks for the photo! That is a nice shot of the dress. I can see all her bracelets better too.
All I can say is WOW, the first lady pulled out another Yellow ensemble, it's classy yet very sexy
She looks great New pics on yahoo & getty
She looks Fabuuuuuuuuuuulous. Mrs Obama, get every color of this suit...This is perfect. You're a beautiful, tall, sexy and confident woman. I could never imagine myself pulling out an all yellow suit! WOWWWWWWw
LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT
Pulling off..(.I meant lol )
Mrs. O is so beautiful in yellow today...ouch...hurt my hands....can't type:) But very sunny and beautiful this afternoon. And wearing my favorite accessory of hers, the bangles.
Love her hair here. Think looks elegant. Love the dress, too.
And what a couple! I expect everyone in the room to turn green with envy when they walk in.