Thursday
Jul092009
Sunny Delight
Thursday, July 9, 2009 at 10:22 AM 
Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto / Getty Images
First lady Mrs. O visited Palazzo del Governo in L'Aquila, Italy this morning with other G8 spouses. The medieval city was hit by a powerful earthquake in April 2009. As Mrs. O surveyed the damage, she said, ''I'm very moved. I and my husband have been very struck by what we're seeing and we'll try to do everything possible to support you."
Dressed in a yellow floral Liz Claiborne cardigan and chartreuse pleated skirt, Mrs. O brought a ray of sunshine. Fittingly chosen, Mrs. O wore a beaded brooch from Italian fashion house Moschino at her collar. Update: We've confirmed that Mrs. O's skirt is indeed J.Crew's cotton sateen Gateau skirt in chartreuse.
tagged J.Crew, Liz Claiborne, Moschino
J.Crew, Liz Claiborne, Moschino
Reader Comments (169)
Personally, I am glad she chose to observe Catholic tradition by donning the veil.
Not for religious reasons or pro teachings of the Catholic Church, simply a sign of respect for the tradition.
I have to think politics is much like raising a child; "You pick your battles!" If she had not worn the traditional dress with a veil as all of the other first ladies did while visiting the Vatican, it would have been front page news. For What? And Why? It was a politically sound move, you would have gotten much more negative response than positive.
Many people have stronger ties to their religion than they do for their politicians. Disrespect of one's religious traditions will sway a voter even if it is the spouse and not the elected official. It may upset some of your constituency if you went along with a religious dogma in order to get along, but it won't sway their vote. Besides, a core belief and practice of this administration is about opening, not closing doors.
Now on to Ghana....
Ghana pics up on Yahoo!
There is video on the BBC website now (bbcnews.com) of the arrival in Accra, Ghana. The video feed is blurry but from what I can tell, Mrs. Obama is looking very elegant in a black, sleeveless dress, double-strand pearls and upswept hair.
A great gallery of Obama/Vatican pictures
Michelle in Ghana
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/10/ghana-excited-for-obama-v_n_229532.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/10/ghana-excited-for-obama-v_n_229532.html
The Huffington Post has a few pictures up of the arrival.
Here's the family arriving in Accra Ghana: http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/88974227/AFP
BBC video of the arrival in Ghana
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8145121.stm
The Obamas' audience with the Pope was for them as President and First Lady of the United States, not as private citizens. She dressed absolutely correctly. To do otherwise would have subjected her and the President to criticism. Why do that?
Some commented on her veil. It looked very much like the elegant veil that Jacqueline Kennedy wore for her husband's funeral. Translucent black silk rather than lace.
The black version of the Moschino "big bow" blouse is silk satin rather than cotton as the white one was. Nonetheless the blouse is rather tent-shaped, shirred at the back neckline, intricately folded at the front. Narrower at the top than at the hem. Lots of fabric to deal with at the waistline. On the runway, the blouse was tucked into a slim skirt and a wide belt sat at the waistline.
Moschino also did it in longer length and various fabrics as a "tent" dress.
As someone of the Catholic "tradition," I found the veil kind of weird. It's not a lace mantilla or other shaped head covering, but looks rather like a piece of chiffon cut straight from the bolt. Those who thought she looked like a nun weren't exaggerating at all. I put it down to her not being Catholic and being familiar with that look. I wish she'd taken a page from the young Latinas here, they know how to work that veil! I'm not sure but wouldn't a black church lady's hat have fulfilled the protocol? Speaking of which. . . the Jackson women at the memorial. Kathryn Jackson must have laid down the law. There wasn't a hint of color on the stage or in any of the front rows, yet everyone looked incredibly smart.
As someone of the Catholic "tradition," I found her veil a bit strange. It's not a lace mantilla or other shaped head covering, but looks rather like a piece of chiffon cut straight from the bolt. Those who thought she looked like a nun weren't exaggerating at all.
But I myself put it down to her not being Catholic and thus not being familiar with that look. I wish she'd taken a page from the young Latinas here. They know how to work that veil!
I wonder, wouldn't a black church lady's hat have fulfilled the protocol? Speaking of which. . . the Jackson women at the memorial. Kathryn Jackson must have laid down the law. There wasn't a hint of color on the stage or in any of the front rows, yet everyone looked incredibly smart.
The veil absolutely works especially in Italy where the older (traditional) women prefer those to the smaller, lace versions which sometimes beg the question what's the point? If the point is to cover up, then cover up! And the veil does just that...
My sister actually wore one very similar to Mrs Obama's when she had an audience with the Pope.
The lace mantilla's are of course lovely too and are a huge favorite of catholics in and from Spain and the Phillipines;
But thank God for options!
I read in this article that the Jackson clan were all wearing Versace. (Wouldn't mind seeing Mrs. O in Versace!)
Seems to me like a hat would have done, but I saw a picture of one of the G8 spouses wearing a veil over her hat, which struck me as a belt-and-suspenders moment. But I don't know. I assume that they're being told what is appropriate or expected, maybe there's some reason to wear a hat and veil.
Lace would have been pretty. Oh well. Maybe a shorter mantilla would have looked wacky with her updo so that's why she went with the longer veil?
Wikipedia weighs in on the use of veils when having an audience with the Pope.
Hey Christina...thanks for the photo gallery. I had not seen all of them yet. Sasha's feet at the end was just too cute and real. I have a child and can so totally see this happening.
Alsace...where are you? glad to see you back!
@ Alsace if she wears a lace mantilla or church hat, they might say she insults the italians. She can't win either way.
She wore a veil and its done with. She ain't gonna be wearing it anytime soon again.
For those who asked,yes, both a lace mantilla or hat would have fulfilled the head covering requirement. I am perplexed though, why would wearing a mantilla be insulting to the Italians as the above poster suggested?
I like her Ghana look; however, I would have preferred metallic jewelry to her pearls. It would have given the outift an ethnic flair.
@ Nora the point is Michelle Obama never wins. If she did not go over veil the top they will complain, if she does just a lace mantilla they will really complain. If she does a hat they will complain.
Its not the Italians who will be offended but the "they " i refer to see is our press who have a thing for oversensationalization of things. "they" would insinate she offended the italians. A lace mantilla or hat will not do it would be said she is insulting the italians, hence better just go over the top veil.
DocP couldn't agree with you more. But - it's done!
The First Lady has good looks and good bone structure, with the carriage and personality to carry off well-tailored clothes, however, quite frankly, her choice of clothes is appalling and quite unbefitting her position. She appears now to be pandering to the media. She needs to get honest advice on her dress code. May I suggest Dame Oprah Winfrey help her out.