Friday
Aug212009
Summer Seersucker (Updated)
Friday, August 21, 2009 at 10:49 AM 
Photo by Win McNamee / Getty Images
The Os returned home yesterday after a weekend spent in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Arizona. Mrs. O looks ready for Martha's Vineyard in her seersucker summer dress. We love!
UPDATE: Wonderful news! Thanks to a tip from "aw", we have confirmed that yes, in fact, Mrs. O is wearing Maria Pinto's Eula Stripe Maggie dress! We are delighted to see Maria Pinto back in the first lady's wardrobe rotation. The cut and fit of a Maria Pinto dress is always flawless.
tagged Maria Pinto
Maria Pinto
Reader Comments (86)
How I love thee, let me count the ways!!
Beautiful family and very fresh summer dress.
Mrs O looks lovely but - my goodness that family are beautiful up and down and all around aren't they????
I like the slightly extended shoulder - not quite sleeveless, not quite a cap sleeve. And, as always, she looks wonderful in a v-neck.
Smart-looking, cool. Seersucker aka plisse (with an accent over the e) goes in and out of fashion. (Except for men's jackets and shirts, finely striped in blue, which go on and on.) Too bad as it is a great summer fabric.
The only thing that you have to get used to is its slightly rumpled look. Trying to press it really spoils it.
Good Vineyard look.
Without a clear view....but the dress looks like eyelet to me, not seersucker
I love how there matching again. Barack with his navy blue suit and red tie and Malia with her nautical shirt. Michelle and Sasha are matching with their dresses with similar color palates.
Ah, the wondrous power of Bo!
In the above picture, the President has reverted back to his serious and realistic world-on-my-shoulders mood while the First Lady and Malia have spotted Bo. In the picture on the link below, the President performs his perfunctory homage to the press with a forced grin while Sasha, too, has gotten a glimpse of Bo.
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/President-Barack-Obama/photo//090817/480/f5dcaa730d46459690ff6305e20e033d//s:/ap/20090818/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_health_care_overhaul#photoViewer=/090817/480/71ed7d8df7fe4690837f044b3edd51cc
Then we have this precious picture of the President reacting to Bo with a wonderful smile. Picture is enhanced because it also catches the First Lady. Wonderful photograph.
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/President-Barack-Obama/photo//090817/480/f5dcaa730d46459690ff6305e20e033d//s:/ap/20090818/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_health_care_overhaul#photoViewer=/090817/480/f5dcaa730d46459690ff6305e20e033d
Then finally when you go to the first picture in this series on Yahoo, you have them altogether fussing over Bo. Interesting photo story.
@ Sharon Nelson - Thanks for narrating the photo story, it is an interesting sequence. I was so busy looking at Mrs. O and the girls, and I didn't really do more than glance at the President, and after you mentioned his look, I went back and took a closer look, and yes, he's got that serious face on, something he didn't have through much of the weekend. That's kind of sad.
I love Mrs. O's dress, I think it is seersucker too.
@ Mrs. T
If you could please find out who makes the white dress the First Lady wore in this photo that would be great.
Thanks, Sharon Nelson. Sensitive and well-written observations. You must be a writer. Do you have your own blog?
Thanks, Mrs. T. and everyone at "Mrs. O." Your blog is my favorite elegant indulgence.
Love the way the kids still hold hands with mom and dad.
What an absolutely lovely family!
God bless, guide, guard and protect them all and give the President the strength, wisdom, discernment and grace to defeat every evil in all the various forms it's being manifest and overcome every horrid stuff that's been thrown at him...
Mrs. O looks rested and her physique is amazing - very well complemented by the dress.
AUDREY: HUH?!! Could you restate your comment a little more clearly, please? Thanks!
Ms. E--
I've written on the side some in the past and even had a few things published but not on a national level. Spend a number of years honing my writing skills. Haven't written for quite some time so I
Amen to that, Audrey. Thx.
@ Christen-Sounds llke Audrey was saying a prayer for out leader and his family, and what a lovely one at that. I'll add my Amen to that as well.
Asereht: I think that's great, but I had a very hard time understanding what Audrey meant after "the various forms.....".
Magnifique robe comme d'habitude: cette couleur lui sied à merveille. Quelle belle famille !!
Mrs T, Saw you on the Today Show discussing the Mrs. O "shorts" non-issue. Good Job. BTW loved the top you were wearing.!
Thanks Ms. P! The top is J.Crew. :o)
Good job on the Today Show Mrs. T! Seems like Robyn Givhan didn't have it in her to effectively play the contrary role. You, on the other hand, were fantastic. Like Mrs. O said, people's obssession with what she's wearing and it's "appropriateness" are having a personal problem and says more about the individual than about Mrs. O.
And I loved your top too!
Iva, I read about that Today show crap on another blog. I cannot believe they're trying to make an issue out of the woman wearing shorts while on vacation. That's just mind boggling to me. There are some serious issues taking place in this country and around the world and a news program dedicates a whole segment to discussing the FLOTUS wearing shorts while she's on vacation. Un-freaking-believable.
Mrs T, I missed you this morning. Please post a video as soon as you can. I'd personally would love to put a name with a face!!
Thanks everyone. Here is a link to the video:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/32473914#32473914
Personally, I think it's fantastic that the Os have been so sharing with what was really a personal vacation moment. The criticism is absurd. And as I said, I can't imagine what could possibly be more appropriate than shorts given the setting...
Video is in press section above posts.
...just saw Mrs. T on TODAY show, here is the link...congratulations on the book, can't wait to order it...
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/32463036#32473914
Regarding the shorts....I have not worn shorts since high school gym class. It is a personal choice; I do not feel I look my best in shorts and I find them rather uncomfortable.
I am registered on Mrs. O, but have forgotten my password....cheers to all
What a handsomely dressed family! :)
Robin Givhan was HORRIBLE on the TODAY SHOW, she did not make any sense. "she allowed herself to be photographed like that" her opposition to flotus wearing shorts was crazy. I loved when Mark called her out on the whole shorts issue, she got mad when he said he was trying not to be sarcastic. Anyway, Mrs. T was great, loved the outfit, you put Robin in her place. Robin is a FLOTUS HATER!!!
Mrs T good to see you on the show, you looked stunning and thank you so much for sharing the link with us.
Casimira I quite agree! I've worn them maybe twice since school, at the behest of other people and I've hated every minute of it. I can safely say that the chances of me ever wearing 'em again are slim to zero. If I had legs like Mrs O, things would be very different!
Magnifique comme d'habitude (wonderful as usual) sorry my english isn't good but i am addicted to this blog
Mme O est fabuleuse, belle et gracieuse, libérée elle suit ses envies et s'habille sans complexes !! Vive la Reine Michelle
Saw you on the Today Show! Good job.
Michelle Obama looked totally appropriate on vacation with her clothing choice. Nothing "short" of perfection!
WICKED IN WHITE...
Mrs. O is rocking this summer. I think she is looking fit and in shape more than ever, and this dress only amplifies her stupendous figure. This is what I call sweet revenge - after the Moscow Summit and that picture with her and Sarah Brown in the garden, Mrs.O is inflicting some serious hurt on all of us who criticized or were rather obsessing over her weight gain (true or not). This I can appreciate!
As per Ms. Givhan, I've was never sold out on her. Her thoughts and opinions were all open- ended, and it left you thinking....Huh? And for someone who's style of dress is so Mrs.O-like, you wonder...
Thanks Asereht for decoding what was a rather straightforward prayer/wish on our Presidents behalf for the ever loving Christen.
Shorts in your own backyard; of course....on a photo shoot as first Family, not so much!
After all, there was Air Force 1, the presidential limo and invited photographers; an official event,
not a private family vacation.
Audrey....you're welcome....despite a word or two that may have confused others, I felt your intent, and your sincerity, immediately.
Audrey....you're welcome. Despite a word or two that may have confused others, I felt your intent, and sincerity, immediately. Again, Amen!
@char
A photo shoot girl please...... She was on VACATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!The press goes EVERYWHERE with the President even to parent teacher confrences. Its her body so she wears what she damn well pleases. Your post makes no sense what so ever. You must not be American, because you obviously don't understand how an American presidency works. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS PRIVACY!!!!!!!!!
I come in the middle of the shorts debate. I'd have no trouble with Michelle in knee-length shorts, or something cut a little more conservatively, maybe the same short just a few inches longer. She's in great shape and people of all ages wear shorts. I just don't think these did her any favors.
Jackie Kennedy wore shorts on many occasions while at the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port, and there are photos that document that.
She NEVER, but NEVER, wears hosiery! And, as far as I am concerned...if a woman hadn't the good taste to wear stockings, when she has tea with the Queen of the United Kingdom...she is HOPELESS!
I find this trend of women who go barelegged to be tantamount to women who wear neither bras, nor foundation-garments...when they need to. Michelle eschews girdles, too!!! It looks more like she is "on the stroll", than the wife of a leader of a nation!
I am unashamedly and unapologetically "old-school", and have NEVER seen American women look worse, than they have for the past few years! My fashion-icon was Jacqueline Kennedy, and her impeccable sense of classicism...appropriateness...and, timeless elegance...
Michelle Obama looks better than she did on Inauguration Day...[Editor's note: A portion of this comment has been deleted]
OMG, I can't believe people are still ranting and raving about those shorts. Come on. Yall trippin'. If I were her I would have wore white shorts and a cute ruffly top but the same length.
http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/shorts/solids/PRDOVR~15025/99101730647/ENE~1+2+3+22+4294967294+20~~~17+4294967132~15~all~mode+matchallany~~~~~short/15025.jsp
http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/shirtstops/camisblouses/PRDOVR~14834/ENE~1+2+3+22+4294967294+20~~~17+4294967201~15~all~mode+matchallany~~~~~ruffles/14834.jsp
This outfit would be cute on her. But anyways, let the shorts go.
@ Paula
Don't let your "old-school" attitude turn you into a bitch and a racist. Michelle's inauguration outfits were very tasteful and nothing she wore made her look like "kitchen help". You can state your opinion without being rude and condescending. Meeting the Queen and going hiking on the grand canyon are two different things and her wearing shorts here cannot be compared to her outfit meeting the Queen because this was personal time.
Also your fashion icon was not photographed as much as the Obamas so who knows what she would have worn if she were to go to the Grand Canyon (if she were to even go). I like Jackie but all she wore was 2 piece suits and shift dresses. Wow. There is nothing ultra-fantabulous about suits and shift dresses.
Matt should have taken a page from Barney Frank's book and asked Robin Givhan this question, "on what planet do you spend most of your time?"
Ms. Givhan was given a national platform to squash "shortshortsgate," yet she chose to be ambivalent and grapple with the sight of a first lady wearing shorts descending the stairs of Air Force One. I wish Robin and all the others (haters and prudes) could reveal this legendary book of rules they want Michelle to live by. I want to see it with my own eyes.
For Paula
Reading your post left me with my jaw on the ground and a racing pulse at the vitriol you expressed toward the first lady of our nation. My immediate reaction was to fire off some response that was just as full of hate as what you wrote., but I decided that might have been your intent all along so I chose to take a deep breath and rise above it. I do not know you—and I consider that a blessing—but I have one question I would like for you to consider.
Who has displayed the worst sense of classiness? Mrs. O because she did not meet your personal code of approval and offended your sensibility in her choice of dress, or you and your hate filled comments that would reduce her to being a streetwalker or kitchen help, simply for doing so?
Please do not remove past posts-yesterday you had a picture of Mrs. O in shorts-why isn't the picture available today? Did you think that she did not look appropriate?
CC, I never posted a photo of Mrs. O in shorts, so you must be thinking of a different blog. I absolutely thought the first lady looked appropriate. At the time of purchasing photos I had no idea that there would be such debate. And honestly, I didn't find the shorts hugely exciting from a fashion perspective. It seemed quite clear to me that it was a moment not about fashion as we tend to celebrate it (from an asethetics and design perspective), but about very practical clothes necessary for hiking the Grand Canyon in mid August. Considering the faux debate that has ensued, maybe it would make sense to feature a photo in support of Mrs. O's choice.... I'll add it, though I'm kind of hoping we just move on...
This dress is sexy and classy - I also would love to know the designer.
Paula, your racism is barely veiled. Please take it elsewhere.
Oh Paula...THE VAPORS, THE VAPORs...somebody fetch me the smelling salts and a mint julep!