This Evening's (Thakoon) Dress
Thursday, September 24, 2009 at 7:24 PM 
Photo by Jim Young / Reuters
The President and First Lady are hosting G20 events in Pittsburgh this evening, posing above with the President and First Lady of Indonesia.
Mrs. O is dazzling in a Thakoon Resort 2010 Collection frock, as seen here. The silk plisse fabric is an ikat print in gray and pink, ruched asymmetrically through the bodice of the dress. This distinct technique of construction and surface embellishment has been a trademark of Thakoon's in recent seasons - and it's working fabulously for the first lady this evening.
Mrs. O has accessorized the look with a single strand of long pearls, pearl earrings, and her hair swept into a low chignon. Pink heels add a pop of color to complete the look.
From the New York Times:
At 6:15 p.m. Mr. and Mrs. Obama stepped out of the Phipps Conservatory, underneath an awning to greet their first guests. Mr. Obama in a dark blue suit, Mrs. Obama in a taupe, pink and green patterned cocktail dress with straps. Pink patent leather two-inch heels. Hair pulled back in a full, bouffant faux ponytail. Long pearl necklace, pearl earrings. No stockings.
Mr. Obama: “Where’d my First Lady go?”
Mrs. Obama: “Right here,” stepping beside him, as it started to drizzle.
Later in the evening, First Lady Mrs. O hosted a dinner party for the G20 spouses at the Pittsburgh home of Teresa Heinz Kerry.
Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson
P.S. A glimpse at our favorite and remarkably fashionable first lady friends:
Image by Jewel Samad / Getty Images
Thakoon
Reader Comments (110)
Thank you, MichelleToo. Could not have said it better myself. I don't always agree with Mrs O's fashion choices (though this dress is lovely and suits her) but I hope I show a modicum of respect for her individuality and self-assurance. Comparing her with others is a pointless and futile exercise - what many of us love about Mrs O is her ability to remain true to herself, emulating none.
This is a miss for me. Half of the pictures made her look bottom-heavy and pregnant (although she is most likely not). The Color is too pastel for fall and most of the other First Ladies outshone her. The long pearl necklace distracted from the sweetheart neckline of the dress. And Pink shoes? I don't know. The red draped floral dress she wore to the medal ceremony a week ago would have been a knockout here. It photographed better, plus it fit her so very well.
@ MichelleToo:
Why bring up Carla Bruni's past as a barometer for her good taste in fashion? Just because someone has a checkered past does not mean they cannot dress well or do not have style. And whatever happened to second chances and not judging on appearances and the likes? Perhaps we should extend to the other first ladies the same courtesy and respect we give to Mrs. O.
Nora,
I bring up Carla Bruni's past because Barbara's post seemed, IMHO, a little like she was comparing more than simple fashion choices. If Barbara had simply compared Carla Bruni's lovely lbd with Michelle Obama's (IMHO) lovely pink dress, I would not have brought up anyone's past. However, Barbara's post seemed almost as though she were saying that Michelle Obama is not in the same class as the women she names in her post. I know she didn't say it, but the way she worded what she said, it is easy to see that even if she didn't mean to do it, she compared not just fashion style, but fashion sense and yes, a sense of decorum and class. That is why I took umbrage with her post, and especially Carla Bruni (who I think is a brilliant, brave and fierce woman). I just don't think that it is fair to put Carla Bruni on a pedestal, especially given that she has to work extra hard to dress conservatively. She can't take the same risks. She can't express the same sense of whimsy that Michelle Obama is able to express. And if you don't like something Michelle Obama wears, that's one thing, but to make it seem like she isn't in the same class as Carla Bruni or Jackie O or whomever is beyond the pale in my book. And you might not like that Thankoon dress, but I don't think that one can argue that it looks as though it is ill fitting or cheap. And I don't think that anyone "outshone" her.
I hope that clarifies why I brought up what I did.
I think she looks great.
That poster who is called michelle - could you stop posting in capitals please? It looks like you're shouting, it's unnecessary and it's a leetle bit in yer face.
I'm not a fan of this look. Michelle herself looks pretty and glowing, but the dress is not my favourite.
Re comments about Sarah Brown looking thinner - no she doesn't look thinner, she's just getting her clothes right for a change. It makes a helluva difference!
Nora, Pregnant really? LOL, Black Woman................well we tend to be curvier in certain areas. Ask God why? She may "appear" bottom heavy as you put it, but pregnant? Geez.....
It seems this dress is too casual. It doesn't look formal at all. I don't like the straps. I agree with many of the others...the fit is off.
I am responding to the comment about Obama needing a new stylist! She definitely needs help from someone other than who has been dressing her. Really, we American women want to see her in off the rack dresses from J Crew or Banana Republic? Whatever happened to the idea that American women want to emulate someone with some actual couture style and taste? Jackie Kennedy Michelle is not.
Peggy,
Guess what. SHE IS NOT Jakckie Kennedy. LOL, and thank the Lord she is not Laura Bush. SHE has never compared herself to Jackie O, so why does everyone else? I am an Amercian woman and I want to emulated Michelle Obama bc you know what she has her OWN style. Go Michelle! Break the Mold! It's your birthday, break the mold! Geez.