Monday
Jul062009
Pretty in Peach
Monday, July 6, 2009 at 10:01 AM 
Photo by Stringer / AFP / Getty
The Os have deplaned in Moscow and Mrs. O is wearing a lovely peach ensemble, reminiscent of her white ensemble worn on D-day, and belt at the waist with a Sonia Rykiel belt. More to follow.
Update #1: Mrs. O wears a Narciso Rodriguez dress, paired with a Michael Kors collarless coat, both in a peachy coral hue. The first lady wore a similar combination from the same designers in white when she visted France last month.
Update #2: The little Os both wear J.Crew -- Malia wears a silk taffeta trench and satin ballet flats by J.Crew, while Sasha wears a twill trench and flats by crewcuts.
Reader Comments (141)
Please stop this ridiculous thread about the napkin..They both have napkins on their laps, when you look closely. It is customary to have a napkin placed on your lap while drinking. (If you look at the photo there are water glasses on the table)
They both look very lovely, but First Lady Michelle Obama stands out in her peach. This is a very nice color for her skin tone. I like the clear plastic belt, it gives her a unique look. She is obviously into belts, at least for today; but we know she is going to continue to dazzle us, so we just need to stay tuned and chill. Also new photos of them having dinner at the Russian’s President’s home.
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Michelle-Obama/ss/events/pl/050108michelleobama#photoViewer=/090706/481/505b41c65b3c4e64ae026595debcd7e5
Please stop this ridiculous thread about the napkin..They both have napkins on their laps, when you look closely. It is customary to have a napkin placed in your lap while drinking. (If you look at the photo there are water glasses on the table)
They both look very lovely, but First Lady Michelle Obama stands out in her peach. This is a very nice color for her skin tone. I like the clear plastic belt, it gives her a unique look. She is obviously into belts at least for today; but we know she is going to continue to dazzle so we just need to stay tuned. Also new photos of them having dinner at the Russian’s President’s home. This seems to be an informal occastion based on how the men are dressed.
I like the dinner outfit as well
@IVA,
I was fine with Mrs. O's dinner look when I heard how informal it was and saw Pres. M in jeans! Now that's a hoot---Pres. M looked like he was ready for some backyard BBQ. According to the Russian media, it was Medvedev's idea to have them dress down to look more relaxed together and friendly. Tomorrow, they have dinner at the Kremlin, which is far from a relaxed atmosphere.
I love Malia's hair and Sasha's flats! And as for Michelle's belts -- she can wear whatever she wants! And of course the POTUS looks very handsome, as usual. Agree with earlier poster that there couldn't be a better looking family.
Sign me up for Banish the Belts, too
On the napkin issue, if you look closely, both first ladies have one, you see it more clearly on Mrs. O, because of the color on her dress, the other first lady is wearing white.
I was looking through the pictures on the yahoo page of Mrs. Obama trip to Moscow and I can see that in picture 21 to 328 she looks like she's with child. If she's not that peach dress is not doing her beautiful body no good. Just my opinion....
Yes those are large starck-white napkins over both the first ladies laps during a brief lunch. The dinner-wear of all was just right for the occassion.
The entire family looks gorgeous. The casual dinner wear is just fab. President M in jeans are just too cool. Mrs O looks beautiful and I love the necklace.
The HPost slide shows both women have napkins on their laps and seem to be enjoying each others company.
Mrs O is going to wear these belts because she likes them, she will cover her arms in the summer and leave them uncovered in the winter because its what she likes to do. She is an extremely confident woman and that is one of the characteristics about her that make her so very appealing to me.
@ Janelle - I certainly don't hate the outfit, I'm just not feeling it too much - something about the pants and the shoes. I often wonder about the fact that there are probably situations where her and her outfits aren't photographing well, and everything probably looks better in person.
Yes, Pres. M looks very relaxed and casual in his jeans. I got a kick out of him in the pictures - I don't know why he always looks so funny to me with his large knotted ties, and now in his jeans. I didn't know he had planned a relaxed evening specifically...good idea for the two leaders to develop a personal rapport. He seems to really want a good relationship with our President. Maybe he wants to rival Sarkozy as Obama's international BFF!
On a quick substantive note, so far I'm feeling good about this visit, especially Russia allowing us to use their territory for our mission in Afganistan. Anything that makes that war easier for our military is a good thing.
This was just put up on politico.com
MICHELLE IN RUSSIA: FLOTUS will headline a couple events on her own during her husband's visit to Moscow, although she will not speak publicly.
Her first solo outing will be on Tuesday after POTUS's speech to the New Economic School at Gostinny Dvor; she will visit an orphanage and hospital, her office said. The plan is for FLOTUS to meet with kids, nurses and administrators there and watch a short presentation and performance.
FLOTUS and Russian first lady Svetlana Medvedeva will then attend a dance performance at a local theater with kids from the orphanage and about 500 students who are enrolled in similar programs.
She will not deliver formal remarks at either event, her office said.
I don't think I've ever seen little girls in trenches before - adorable! Michelle is flawless. Everyone needs to lighten up re the belts. She looks GREAT!
@IVA--I feel you on the photographs vs. TV looks not always meshing for Mrs. O. I saw the TV coverage of the dinner outfit on a Russian link before I saw the photographs. Her outfit looked very dressy on TV for some reason. The blouse under the cardigan had an almost metallic shimmery sheen to it. It could have been lighting, but I do know it looked totally different on the photos.
In the pictures, the blouse and cardigan look like a set. Are you saying they were different? Sometimes I hate the fact that all we get are pictures of her, since I can sometimes tell that her outfits have interesting patterns and colors that don't always come through in picutres.
A related story: I was recently looking at pictures of POTUS and one close up showed his tie up close as well. When I was looking at the other pictures that weren't close up, I thought he was merely wearing a blue tie. But in the close up, my goodness there were all sorts of designs and even some white in the tie. I was surprised because for the few pictures before the close up, I thought he was wearing a boring old blue tie.
So I'm pretty sure that we don't get to really SEE her outfits, with all of the detail and special little added touches. Oh well, the pictures we do get to see are better than nothing!
@IVA,
On TV, the blouse and cardigan appeared to have distinctive textures and slightly different white to off-white colors (similar to the coral she wore today with the jacket and dress in slightly different hues). Maybe it was lighting, but the blouse had a rayon/silk look with sheen on TV and clung to her body and had a very nice evening look under the cardigan. The sheen of it reminded me of the material of the black/white Isabel Toledo dress she wore to dinner in London with the Browns/Buckingham Palace. I could see no details of the fabrics in the photographs though but looked very nice on Russian TV. It's a shame those subtle details can't always be picked up---like on POTUS' tie. Here I was thinking he keeps wearing the same old ties that all men do!
I like this look, and peach is a nice color on Mrs. Obama. She's 2 for 2 so far on this trip!
It's nice to see Mrs O in the springy color. Again, being from the south it is interesting to me that it is so cool and windy this time of year in another part of the northern hemisphere. I'm in agreement about the belt but am beginning to think it may be part of her security, as in giving off the bat signal in case she gets into trouble. I just know that the brooches must have some sort of tiny tracking device in them. Or is it just my mind going into overdrive. I'm just trying to justify the belt. Anyway, can't wait to see more fashion.
Re the "too many belts" and "not translating well on TV" issues. . .
All of these are professional styling issues which could be easily handled without any danger to Mrs. O's personality or ability to project a look that she wants.
Like a broken record, I keep going back to the comment made here by RickyDee, who was probably the most "insider" voice we've had so far:
"Needed: A stylist with experience managing a full staff and an excellent knowledge of protocol, long range mix of styles and designers, accessories, and how fashion translates across the various media. Mrs O is lovely, but is making the normal near sighted mistakes that one makes when moving into the “Bigs.” This whole sleeve flap is because several sleeveless projects rolled out the same week." [bolds mine]
Every time I have re-copied this comment here, it gets greeted by the usual naive chorus of "Mrs. O doesn't need a stylist, she has great taste."
And I have to say once again, the professional costuming issues involved in dressing at this level are not in opposition to "personal taste." They are what makes "personal taste" capable of being perceived as the wearer intends.
@ Janelle - nope POTUS' ties are probably much more varied than they appear to be from tv and pictures!
I tell you, we have one fly and beautiful first lady, and first family. I love the colors, the coat, the dress, AND YES THE BELT!!!!!
@Alsace:
Who is your stylist? I doubt you have one because everyday women don't have stylist. And that is what Mrs. O is and has always been.
And I can appreciate that she is not going to compromise herself so she can fit into a First Lady straight jacket like her predecessors.
Keep on doing what you doing Michelle. I personally have never followed the style of a first lady as close as Michelle, so she must be doing something right.
Or this site wouldn't even exist.
NO STYLIST NEED APPLY!
I like Mrs. O dinner ensemble as well. And for those that think its not formal enough.....did you look at the pictures, the Russian President HAS ON JEANS!!!
So clearly this is not a formal dinner. And I personally like it!
Tired of stuffy WH protocols! Long live the queen for breaking protocol and embracing our First Lady publically!
Mrs.Obama's outfits are just beauitful. The girls girls are so cute. Are those Crewkids Trenchcoats. Sasha's little pokadot flats are so cute. Maliea Is looking very grown up. With her outfit and simple black flats. Maliea looks like she may have cut her hair. The girls are growing into beuitful youmg ladies.
The President was looking very chic.
Mrs.Obama's outfits are just beauitful. The girls girls are so cute. Are those Crewkids Trenchcoats. Sasha's little pokadot flats are so cute. Maliea Is looking very grown up. With her outfit and simple black flats. Maliea looks like she may have cut her hair. The girls are growing into beuitful youmg ladies.
The President was looking very chic.
@ Alsace with all due respect i disagree with you. The professional taste turned Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton into Old women who got lost in clothes. Majority of the public in the US and around the World and this site alone, do not see a problem with her clothes or how it translate.
The reason anybody is concerned about what she is wearing is or translates is because "we" have chosen to put her on a pedestal of fashion. Thus, in doing so you will end up with clothes you like or dislike.
If i had to follow everything Laura or Hillary wore daily, in the states and around the globe I will be lost. Laura Bush, Hillary wore the "designers" and it was not worth the money spent in terms of fashion. And like Hillary as said fashion is not her thing. If there was a site called Mrs. Bush or Mrs. Clinton I am sure you would have posted the same thing so I know you are speaking from a point of neutrality.The reality is individuals will Hate or love or dislike or like what she wears. The level of microscopic view means this is what you will get. I loved some of what Laura and Hillary wore and disliked some. That's life. We have various of first ladies with their individual style and not with stylist unless they feel the need.
The fact that they are so normal has given even Medelev's family a level of comfortability to wear jeans and be comfortable having a dinner. My point of view is it is her money, she gets to wear what she wants and what "her" and "her staff" based on the information they have deem appropriate. I just think in this day and age, i read newspapers from around the globe everyone is excited to have someone NORMAL and reachable. Her clothes say "hey, i am approachable"
So I understand your point of view but disagree with you because i view it from a different perspective. Love u though
[Comment edited - referred to previous comment which was offensive and has now been deleted]
Is the "dinner outfit" the outfit with pants? I'd like to see a closeup of the jewelry, it looks nice.
Considering that Medvedev is wearing jeans, it seems like Mrs. O is doing right to wear pants. But I don't know if we're talking about the same outfit.
As for the napkin, yeah, it's just a napkin. Both of the women had one draped across their laps, that I can see.
[Comment edited - referred to previous comment which was offensive and has now been deleted]
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/06/jill-biden-looking-fly-on_n_226473.html
Jill Biden, looking excellent visiting the troops.
It would be nice if the site had a stay logged in option.
Jill looks so nice! She has a great figure and that sheath dress really shows it off, and I love the yellow espadrilles.
@Briana,
Thanks! But I have to repeat -- a stylist would not change Mrs. O's style of dress. Mrs. O would still always be in control. A professional stylist would simply execute Mrs. O's desires so they were perceived in the way she intended.
There is, in general, a misunderstanding of the role of the stylist. Stylists do not give orders. They execute the client's desires. If Mrs. Bush or Mrs. Clinton seemed to be ruled by their stylists, it is because they had no taste of their own and put themselves in the stylist's hands. Mrs. O would never do that. She is always the director of any show that she is in. For her, having a stylist would be like having a secretary---a way of getting it done.
Count me among those who feel that Mrs. O could be more Mrs. O with a stylist than without. Especially with two kids to raise and an almost full-time First Lady agenda to carry out. Ikram has been handling a part of this job, but I think she is a business woman, a boutique owner. She is not the specialized "media" stylist that Mrs. O needs.
And that's about all I have to say on this topic. I KNOW I have a minority point of view here, so best not to belabor it. I do see each outfit at the level of photography and video she receives as a project, one that requires a distancing from the act of "dressing up." And I know that many feel that if Mrs. O gave up that spontaneity, she would have less fun, and that her fashion would be less joyful. But I feel that, in the long run, she will feel relieved and have MORE fun.
I did NOT mean for my comment about her clothes not translating well in SOME photos to mean I think she needs a stylist. Please, please PLEASE let's not have this thread go there.
I was merely lamenting that I believe many of her clothes probably have details that we'll never see because a photograph cannot capture the details, like Mr. O's ties.
I think the entire family looks fabulous! I am surprised, honestly, by the ongoing uproar regarding the belts. They add definition to the waist and character to an ensemble. They have long been a signature of Mrs. O's style and by all accounts, appear to be here to stay. We should accept and embrace the belts!
@IVA, I do not see a discussion about the need for a stylist as somehow "going there," to a place that is necessarily either antagonistic or unproductive. But I do see that there may be no way the discussion can be conducted with the subtlety needed for it to be properly understood in this venue.
As I said above. . . "I KNOW I have a minority point of view here, so best not to belabor it. I do see each outfit at the level of photography and video she receives as a project, one that requires a distancing from the act of "dressing up." And I know that many feel that if Mrs. O gave up that spontaneity, she would have less fun, and that her fashion would be less joyful. But I feel that, in the long run, she will feel relieved and have MORE fun.
@Jay, as a white, conservative, Republican woman, who voted for President Obama, I am embarrassed for you and your friends if you are truly, factually black. You voted for him because he is black! and your friends are embarrassed by her typical black ostentatious style; are you serious??? Sounds like you are embarrassed about being black, period. Perhaps you should read your post again, perhaps you did not say it the way you really intended to....
@ Alsace, Janelle, Willow, IVA, all the ladies, you all sound pretty sophisticated? Are you black? Am I missing something here? Am I misunderstanding Jay.
I am heading out on a six week trip to Asia and will not have time to post and will frequently be out of internet access, but I am glad I am going to miss postings such as yours, Jay. whoosh!
The belts, indeed, are very much here to stay, Mrs. T.
I personally don't have any issue about Mrs. O and a stylist. I'm not so sure she doesn't have one. But considering that "Stylist-gate" has come up many times now over these past several months, I just think, what more can be said? Some folks think she needs a stylist, and that's okay. Some folks think she needs to wear fewer belts, and that's okay too. What else can be brought up on that score?
I guess I would feel differently if there were new folks to the board expressing these points of view, because new people aren't aware that this is an issue that's been hashed out pretty thoroughly.
And, Alsace, I don't mean to put you on the spot, but you've quoted RickyDee a handful of times that I can recall. I'm not knocking that person's opinion, but I'm not sure why that particular comment should be more meaningful than anything you have said, anything I have said, or anything anyone else has said in any other thread. It's just another poster who had another opinion, right? Or do you know RickyDee off the board so you know he or she has more insight because of some professional background?
I guess what I'm saying is, knowing that "Rickydee" has asserted Mrs. O's need for a stylist doesn't really move me one way or another; that statement is not any more or less well-argued than any of your own perceptive points stated in your own words.
I just have to ask: @ Alsace...how do you know she DOESN'T have a "stylist?" I put that word in quotations marks because she could very well have someone that plays that roll that isn't a "stylist" in title, who also isn't Ikram. Therefore, if asked, she can honestly say she doesn't have a stylist. Afterall, there was only one article (that I recall) that did not have one quote from Ikram or anyone in Mrs. O's inner circle, indicating that Ikram directs a designer to make certain pieces, ships the pieces to Ikram, and that's all she wrote. While Mrs. O has said she picks her clothes out, she has never ruled out that she has absolutely no one on her team that could serve the role of a stylist.
This is what gets me about this stylist debate. It assumes NO ONE but Ikram helps her plan her outfits for these types of events. It assumes no one alerts her to proper protocol, or prepares her with information about her counterpart's style and personality. It assumes that she's just out there with Ikram, figuring all of the optics out. That could be the case, but it also could be that she does have someone (or a team) that she consults with, but ultimately she retains her independence. Ultimately, maybe she'd rather just wear that sleeveless dress she's been wanting to wear, as opposed to worrying about "too many sleeveless dresses in one week." I bet she knows her belts ride high due to her high waist. But maybe, she's accepted her body type and realizes she doesn't care that some people find that ill-fitting.
My point is that, just because she's got moments that don't flow, outfits that don't wow or don't fit the way some think they should, doesn't mean she's out there all alone with Ikram figuring this out. She could very well have a person that plays the role of a stylist, who says, "Michelle, no more belts." And maybe our Michelle, says, "I don't care, it's just a belt."
I love the outfit MO wore to dinner at the M's. Casual, but a little bit special with that high wattage necklace. And what I love most is her long black slacks. It's a gorgeous line on her - long and lean - no breaks with belts, crop pants, whatever. She is an elegant woman and she looks sensational here.
I thought Mrs. M's dinner outfit was reminiscent of MO's 10 Downing Street skirt and cardigan - same feeling. I know Nora didn't agree with me, but I still think Mrs. M's double brooch (not "broach" btw) on the jacket was as much MO's influence as Chanel's. Chanel did and does show a ton of accessories with all pieces, especially jackets - but I still think MO's style has kicked up the sartorial fun a notch for this international political crowd.
Love the coral and the shape of the dress and duster, hate the belt, of course. Less belts, more tailoring! As for the dinner outfit, I really like it. It fits perfectly. The pants are perfectly tailored and I think the whole ensemble is chic.
@ the other jenna: that silly post by Jay is gone now, so, no worries. Have a great trip though!!
Edited to add: After seeing all the pictures at this link, I know why Mrs. O wore flats. That Medvedev is one pint-sized dude.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Jackeens/421
I really enjoy watching all of the fashion choices that Mrs. O makes in her outfits. I am and I think many others are intrigued by HER fashion choices. I do not think I would be so interested in what a stylist might come up with. I want to watch how, our FLOTUS, a 45 year old community conscious wife of a busy husband, mother of two active girls, with a whirlwind social calender and deep pockets, decides to wear fashion. We are following the fashion of Mrs O, what and whom she is wearing.
To all of those who do not like the belts and the sweaters, it is so irritating, annoying and aggravating to keep hearing it. May I make a suggestion, in the chat room please set up a thread for How I hate belts or Why I hate the sweaters or Mrs O needs a stylist or What's wrong with this outfit, or what I think the fashion of Mrs O SHOULD BE.
Seriously, I love you guys...but if your opinion is consistently contrary to Mrs O's fashion choices can you just go ahead and discuss such negatives in your very own banish the belts chat room thread. Because I desperately want to Banish the people who want to banish the belts. And no I do not think everyone has to like everything that Mrs O wears I am just saying if you do not like the belts and the sweaters and her individual fashion choices why are you following Mrs O, what and whom she's wearing. Hello, she is wearing belts, she is wearing sweaters, she is wearing what she finds attractive. It is aggravating, literally I could scream, figuratively I could break the screen.
Regarding her arrival outfit, I love peach!!! I also appreciate the way Mrs O prefers to keep her fashion choices simple and somewhat uniform. As usual she did it again... combining designers. Mrs O seems to really want to make her own statement out of the individual pieces in her wardrobe. The peach and coral tones go so well with her complexion. I think she looks very well put together. The girls of course look fabulous. I guess it would be asking to much for the POTUS to put on a dark brown suit, so that he does not clash :).
By the way Alsace, good to see you in the place!!!
WOOOOOOOOOOW, MrsO looking fabulous! I Love everything (even the black kitten heels that dont go with that awesome coral dress+duster combo).....and the adorable girls, cuteness personified !!!
More, More, lets go to Italy already (I'm over Moscow, no offense LOL)
I'm addicted to this site.
I just think Mr. O sometimes likes to wear her belts a little high waisted . If you compare the two pictures, her outfit before take off, she had it right on the waistline and her mid air outfit, she had it high waisted. Remember the high waist belt was in vogue about two, three years ago. I think she liked to so many she keeps wearing it any way.
My question is what happened to Maria Pinto. I thought she did a good job with Mr O cloths, they fit her like a glove.
They look lovely, btw if Michelle wants to wear a belt then its no one else's business.
I love the Peach ensemble...sans the belt. Got to go with ALSACE on this one. It's a gorgeous suit and I can just picture it with a fabric belt coordinating with the top of the dress. IMHO the
plastic look of the belt makes the suit look less sophisticated. However, I think MO likes to add her own funky touch to clothes and she seems to do it with belts. So, If she's happy, then go for it!
The girls just look too cute!! Love the trench coats on them.
MO never looks jet lagged. She must be a good flight napper. Her make-up artist is fantastic!
I think the peach color Mrs. O. is wearing looks great on her. That said, the plastic belt cheapens the whole outfit. I wish Mrs. O. could catch a glimpse of what the belts do to her from the rear....not flattering in the least, especially when she wears a full-skirted dress as in yesterday's outfit.
@IVA, Excellent points! Can't say any more than that, as I've already said too much. This is one topic that wears me out.
@Boazwife. Thanks! I just couldn't keep away during a trip. But am also going stir-crazy with my work. Mrs. O is a great escape from real life.
By the way, I LOVE that the girls do not have their hair straightened for this appearance. I have a feeling Malia put her foot down. That's my kind of girl!
A little nip and tuck is all this outfit needs to maintain the integrity of the look and remove the little distractions like the bunching. I noticed that the fabric pulled up under her arm whenever she lifted it to wave and that's inevitable with the belt over that duster. Same as when she wore the white version in France. Altering the duster so that it's cut to be worn the way she likes: open with a belted detail AS PART OF the duster would eliminate the problem IMO. It would also help smooth out the line of the entire outfit.
Also, count me in as one who had brooch envy looking at Mrs. Medvedev next to Michelle, thinking how perfect it would have looked if Michelle had worn one of her gorgeous signature brooches as the only piece of jewelry on this monochromatic oufit. It would have rocked.
Here's a video from dinner. All 4 of them were awkwardly cute right at the beginning when the Obamas got out of "the Beast!" I have a stupid grin now from watching it...I just love our First Couple.
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=3906861&cl=14356703&ch=4226716&src=news
@Alsace--I love Malia's twists as well. She's been wearing them on and off for years, and she shouldn't stop now. It's a part of who she is and what she liked prior to coming to the WH. The godmother does Malia's twists and braids (I think her name is Kaye Wilson). She's on the trip with them now and is often with Mrs. Robinson and was with them in London. She is often a backup for Mrs. Robinson in caring for the girls. She's in the photo slideshow at H.Post wearing black as they are departing the WH to Marine One this morning and was with them departing for Camp David. I read in an article during the campaign that Mrs. O doesn't have the patience to do the twists/braids, but Malia loves them and her godmother will fly often from Chicago to D.C. on the weekends to do them for her. So when we see Malia with her hair styled that way, we know Ms. Wilson was in town to do it. Mrs. O is one smart lady to bring her support system with her so she can breathe a little easier and keep her girls grounded and happy--it takes a village.
@IVA - thanks for that great video link! They did kind of have that "blind date" interaction at first---LOL! I had a good chuckle at Mr. M with those flowers.
I love the peaches and corals with Mrs. O's skintone and the girls look great! Of course, our President is as handsome as ever.