Thumbs Up for the Ensemble Too
Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 8:33 PM 
Image by Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
As the President addresses a joint session of Congress this evening, First Lady Mrs. O is debuting a new and modern take on the skirt suit. Mrs. O's jacket features bracelet length sleeves, detailed seam work that radiates from the neckline, and a bow tie closure (adorned with a signature jeweled brooch of course). While bows and brooches have long been staples of Mrs. O's wardrobe, the kick pleat skirt and warm, dusty rose hue are new and quite flattering features.
We also should observe that Mrs. O has chosen a jacket with sleeves for this appearance - of note, only because it was a sleeveless dress worn for the President's first speech to Congress in February that gave way to "sleeve-gate". Those who were arm-adverse should be happy to see Mrs. O embrace sleeves for this occasion. And lovely sleeves they are!
Designer TBD. Update: Mrs. O wore a Moschino bow front pique swing jacket with matching skirt. Her rhinestone, pansy brooch, shown in more detail below, is Sonia Rykiel.
Image by Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
Moschino, Sonia Rykiel
Reader Comments (116)
Love, love, love Jill Biden's outfit.
Beautiful!! Great color for her skin tone!! :)
Lovely squared. Leave it to Michelle to throw on a skirt suit and make a vivid statement. She chooses colors like no other. And the pleats! When she hugged her guest , I noticed the back of the jacket was pleated as well. I must know who designed this outfit. Again, absolutely beautiful.
That's a nice color for her and that broach was too cute. The outfit looks like Moschino.
I saw her walk out this evening ,and sadly, instead of being excited about the address all I could think of was, 'I want that jacket!'
The bow was just perfect, and the pleats in the back made it all the more lovely.
Does anyone know who the designer is? Leads would be appreciated.
If I could even afford it. - lol.
What a fresh, delightful take on the skirted suit! Great color. Totally interesting and creative design. I think we all just knew that Mrs. O could bring her own personality to the suit. She looks fabulous. Love that brooch, too.
Two thumbs way up from me.
I loved th color, but HATED the style. Its too darn conservative, and blah. I don't like when she dresses conservative, its not her. She should leave that to the older wives. I stil love Chelly though.
Lovely color, matronly cut and fabric. Great makeup.
Mrs. O looks fresh and stunning! I luv it when she wears a new color! That brooch is to die for. Bows and Pleats oh my! A+ outifit! Now is it just me or is that a baby bump I see? Maybe it's wishful thinking on my part.lol But what do you guys think?
the color was awesome... i dont think i've ever seen or noticed that color before now. her make up was also flawless - go Mrs. O!
The suit is a bit old for her. But, she looks great as usual. I guess she didn't want her arms or her outfit to outshine her husbands message. Love the Obamas. Obama 2012
That warm pink is lovely on Mrs. Obama, altho to my eyes she looks a bit pear-shaped in the suit. Is she perhaps preggers?!?
Fabulous...looked more pink on TV than on the pix on this website where it was more coral. Regardless, it was lovely.
As someone who posted here about the lack of structure of Mrs O's attire at the Kennedy funeral, I should add that tonight's suit at the Congress answered that criticism. However, I definitely do not feel that a suit is the "be all and end all" for all formal events. I would have been just as happy if Mrs O had worn a tailored sheath dress to Congress tonight. But to repeat...she was fabulous as was.
Another issue: it appeared that all the Democratic women had agreed to wear bright colors...or was it my imagination? Were Pelosi and Clinton in identical pantsuits?
Love the color of the suit.....maybe a bit conservative but with a flair only Mrs. O can pull off,
I may not be able to afford the jacket but I will most definitely have one made, I couldn't wait to get an up close look at this outfit.Two thumbs up to Dr. Jill she looks absolutely stunning.
Mrs.O didn't "bare arms" but a beautiful fashion statement all the same.
When I read yesterday that she said fashion to her means fun, i finally got it today. She is beautiful but I also see the fun side too. Is that an American flag colored pin? She is too funny..,.. She is definitely having fun, saying ok now i will go all the way super conservative and then put that big bow for you. Take that. Love it
Jill looks awesome too... I love it but men married to women who just take risk in their clothings. Its fun
She looked stunning. I loved the color and I love the brooch in the middle of the bow. Isn't she LOVELY!!!!
SHE WORE A SUIT!! I wonder where the suit crowd is, she wore one, that should make the women on here happy. People were having a fit over her not wearing one, but now she has one on. However, I hate when she dresses conservative, its so blah. I love the color though. This is a present to the women at MRS. O. Tell the First Lady, thank you :)
Hair and make-up... on point! Suit, great color! But, I'm with several others, it's very matronly and so not her! It's a nice suit, don't get me wrong, but I just think it's more appropriate for a 60 something year old. She still looks pretty though.
The BROACH!!!! Omg, it hit perfectly with the entire ensemble. Love the pleats and the makeup was divine. She was glowing tonight. I was stunned as to how radiant she was looking. One of my fave looks thus far.
Love Mrs. O and generally like what she's wearing. This time? Not so much. She's too young and fit to wear Barbara Bush's dress.
It looked much "pinker" on my television than it does in any of the photos I've seen. What kind of fabric is it, I wonder?
Interesting choice. I'd like to see more photos . . .
LOVE MRS OBAMA SUITE AT LEASE IS NOT BLACK AND SHE COVERD UP VERY WILL SHE LOOKED GREAT THE SUITE IS NICE. I CANT WEIT TO GET THIS ONE TO LESE THEN SHE BUY IT. IF IS A OLD ONE
I laughed out loud when I saw Michelle, conservative and dowdy, not even Mrs. Robinson would look good in that dress, take that, all those who were catatonic in January when she showed up sleeveless. Pretty color though, and I still love her.
I fall into the "no white before Memorial Day or After Labor day" old fashioned crowd. I agree with many that the suit was too matronly...but I also would consider this outfit, as well as the Inauguration ensemble, to be "Easter Sunday" colors.
Since we are past Labor Day, I would have liked to see forest green, orange/red or some other "fall" color...and sleeveless really looks better on her.
I've said before: she needs a new stylist and one who checks how each outfit fits, photographs or appears on TV. No more print dresses, etc for "formal occasions" or White House events (like the first reception and Prayer Breakfast).
All that said, I love Michelle Obama and think she represents American professional women (and mothers) extremely well.
INSPIRATIONAL ORIGAMI
The detail in this jacket reminds me of the neckline of the coral dress Mrs. O wore on her visit to meet the Bushes at the White House. But you know what I like most about this suit, it's so unconventional! Pleated skirt, pleated skirt, bracelet sleeves, a bow and a brooch. C'mon, this could have easily been a fashion overkill, but instead, she killed it.
Once again I am amazed by Mrs.O ability to be unassuming and smart. I bet she knew everyone was expecting another sleeveless number, then snap! Always expect the unexpected is what I say...
Cheers!
I have been searhcing high and low for pics of Mrs. O's suit. I loved the color, the jacket and kickpleat skirt. Could you please post more pics. I am just in love with the outfit.
Isabel Toledo?
That's my guess and I'm stickin' with it.
Our First Lady has the most lovely skin, wonderful bone structure and perfect hair. She looked beautiful in her rose-colored outfit. So cute, so pleated. I thought her bow was adorable as well.
I was looking for the text to Ted Kennedy's letter (to President Obama) and found an extra bonus.....the back detail the First Lady's Jacket. I think she hit it out of the ballpark tonight!
Here's the link;
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_kennedy_letter_text
The First Lady looked amazing tonight. The color, the richness of the detail in her suit - it was stunning. I loved the obvious moment the president and first lady had at the beginning of his speech, and I loved the end of the speech when Vicki Kennedy looked over to Mrs. O and said "that was magnificent!" Yes he was.
Mrs. O can pull off a suit like nobody's business -- she looked great in this. I agree that it looked like she was having fun with the "traditional first lady outfit" but with the details and color and special touches that only she can do. Loved it.
And Jill Biden -- is she gorgeous in that navy and white?? I got to meet her on the campaign trail and was so impressed by her warmth and humor as well as the fact that she is absolutely beautiful. What a couple of role models for females in this country!
Loved the outfit and the BACK of it was gorgeous!!!
she does look preggers. But either way she looks gorgeous
She is breathtakingly lovely - I love this woman and her husband. May God continue to bless, protect, guide and direct them.
Hi IVA - long time. You still speak for "absentee regulars" like me you lovely angel you. Stay kind and positive.
What an absolutely beautiful suit and brooch. Great colors, too! I think this may be the first time I have seen Mrs. O. wear a skirted suit, and it looks so good on her. I love that she sat next to Victoria Reggie Kennedy....both such strong, inspiring women. Who designed that gorgeous brooch?
Lovely color but I am afraid cannot say so about the cut of the jacket
The First Lady was stunning in the perfect shade of pink skirt suit. It can be very chilly in the House Chamber and the sleeves were a most appropriate length, both for comfort and appearance. Absolutely lovely - picture perfect.
Mrs. T, you've GOT to show the back of that jacket!!!
Totally fabulous surprise.
I think we should leave the "baby bump" and pregnancy speculation to the tabloids. These are not posed photos, and we all know that anyone looks different, depending on the camera angle and a lot of other factors. Let's stay above the tabloid talk.
I love the way she chooses colors; and when she does choose to wear a suit, I love the fact that she always finds fresh, original styles.
If if anyone has a link to the First Lady's entrance, please share. I would love to see the "suit" in movement.
I would really really appreciate it.
My first post as I could not help myself -- how can anyone mention conservative in anyway in regards to Mrs. O and her suit --- she totally rocked that suit!!!
I loved it, and Jill Biden looks great too. Sometimes I think ppl focus too much on Michelle and Forget how much of a fox Jill is! lol
I thought the style of the suit was a bit frumpy. But it was a gorgeous color.
When I saw Mrs. O's outfit last night I hoped I'd see it here this morning. I really like the color (dusky rose) - very flattering. The sparkling pin makes the neck bow less severe.
Clearly, Michelle has the ability to be a positive distraction for the President. He was talking about something...I think it was health care. I was too busy trying to find pictures of Michelle to see what she was wearing. I loved the purple outfit she wore to his last congressional address. However, I'm sure she wanted to avoid the negative publicity of baring arms this time around. I think the suit was meant to look a bit matronly on purpose to quell the skeptics. She spruced it up by picking the right color to balance the matronly feel. She is a splendid First Lady.
I liked what all the ladies, Mrs. Obama, Mrs. Kennedy and Mrs. Biden were wearing. Age appropriate and fashionable. Their clothes fit.
More women would benefit from watching TLC's "What Not To Wear". Embrace you as you are. I know right now we cannot all go out and buy new clothes or wardrobes but we can get pieces to mix and match with current pieces we do have and still look stylish yet comfortable. I made up my mind long before seeing Mrs. Obama that I would leave my home every day looking like I would meet someone for the first time and I wanted to make at least a good impression on the outside until they got to know me on the inside.
Kudos!
This isn't conservative at all. When does a jacket automatically = conservative. The color and cut is very cute. I can't really see the bottom though.
make up and hair - great. Color of suit - very nice. Style/cut/design of suit - matronly is an accurate description. Clear miss.
I absolutely don't like this entire outfit. Which is, at least, a first!!!! Every aspect of it is a thumbs down for me.
The colour is not as fresh and warm as the Russian coral outfit so it feels a bit grey to me. The shape is stiff and boxy, it looks restrictive and uncomfortable, conservative and dull. The high neck makes me want to tug at my own collar to get it away from me. The tailoring details are a "nice try" at making it look fresh but it doesn't work. The jacket also looks a leetle narrow for Mrs O's fabulous shoulders. Even the brooch made me go "eeuw". I hope all the suit lovers are happy.... and I hope we never see it again!
Dr Biden looks absolutely wonderful today and I really love that blue top.
(Pregnant comments: YAWN. No. She's already said the campaign was their third child and that they were done with having children. Enough already.)
Well, I really liked the color. The whole suit seemed "over-fitted" (i.e., too small) to me and didn't do justice to her figure. Brooch OR bow, in my opinion, would have been sufficient; to have worn both looked claustrophobic. The tailoring detail is exquisite, but, again, fewer details would have made more of a statement. The suit, to me, wore Mrs. Obama rather than the other way around.