Dressed for a Super Chef Battle
Sunday, January 3, 2010 at 12:27 PM 
Image via Food Network
We're excited to see First Lady Mrs. O this evening, as she makes a cameo appearance on Super Chef Battle (an Iron Chef America event). The episode airs tonight, Sunday, January 3 at 8PM EST on the Food Network. For a video preview, click here.
Per the Washington Post, Mrs. O will reveal the secret ingredient in the competition, which can be anything from the White House kitchen garden. White House executive chef, Chris Comerford, is participating in the challenge.
For the appearance, taped earlier this fall, Mrs. O dressed in a bold mix of colors, wearing an orange Liz Claiborne dress, topped by a aquamarine Moschino cropped cardigan, and a Hattie Carnegie flower pin from the Carole Tanenbaum Vintage Collection. Coordinating aquamarine pumps completed the look.
Reader Comments (74)
What a pretty, fall palette our First Lady chose for this occassion. As one who enjoys the contrast and play of colors, patterns and its combinations; she always looks visually, balanced in my eyes. She has the waist-line to carry off many different looks. Whether she's styling an empire waist line, cinched waist, wide-belted (reminds me of a Japanese obi), dropped waist or sheath (a hint of a waist, to no visible waist-line), she adorns it well. Very creative in her color pairings. Black, brown and navy blue aren't the only colors that exist on this earth! I say experiment and wear them...DO OR DON'T!
Note: I was a Howard Johnson (1 in our neighborhood, too) waitress one summer until fall, during my high school years. The waitress uniforms were a small turquoise-check on a white background, and the apron was white with a turquoise trim, which I proudly wore. This was an across the board, standard uniform, regardles of the restaurant's locale. The color orange was in the 'logo' only. Veteran waitresses would wear the pretty laced hankies over their left pocket with their name tag securing it in place. I recall white or white with turquoise lace trim, never a solid orange. Corporate was very strict during those years. Thus, Mrs. Obama, our First Lady, doesn't resemble a Howard Johnson waitress, at alll! Such a 'CRASS' statement! By the way, if I had dressed like that, I would have gotten even better tips! Eventhough, I did pretty well for a high schooler among the other adult waitresses! LOL!!!
That ensemble is cute, feminine and flirty. How anyone can find fault with it is beyond me but I appreciate that everyone is entitled to their opinions. Michelle has defined fashion for middle aged women - tangerine and turquoise ? Who would have thought it could work.
Michelle inspires me. I went sales shopping during the Christmas break and got killer bargains because "safe shoppers" are avoiding bright clothes and shoes.
Hmm... I have a similarly cut orange dress, and a similar turquoise cardigan. I would've NEVER thought to put the two together, but now I can't wait until spring/summer to try it out, as well as look at all of my clothes with a fresh eye! That's what I love about our FLOTUS - she inspires me to rethink what's in my closet and to have fun with my clothes. Hit or miss, it's never boring! I've spent my entire lifetime being bored and disconnected from who's in the White House so this is new and fun!
Many have commented over and over again on whether combining bright colors is a "hit or miss" for the FLOTUS. What I would like to know from those who are so quick to point out ("IMO") that a particular bright color combination is a "miss", are you speaking for the FLOTUS or are you reflecting that a particular color combination would not look good on yourself. It would be very helpful to the rest of us if you would clearly state what you mean. The FLOTUS wears what she feels comfortable in regardless of what your opinion is. On the contrary, if you feel that her choices wouldn't work for you, then that's o.k. because your individual likes and dislikes may not be hers. So to get on this blog and disparage her for the audacity of wearing color combinations you don't approve of is ludicrous, because I can guarantee that for every one who disagrees with her selections there'll be twice as many who agrees. I've said before and I'll repeat again, critical analysis requires more than just being critical. It requires context and subtext, which is what this blog is about.
And another thing, as for who looks good in bright colors, singly or in combination, remember that darker skin tones and ethnicities can do no wrong wearing bright colors. In the FLOTUS's case, it's augmented with her fantastic smooth skin tone and complexion. I also suggest that you do some research among the Indians/Pakistanis, Caribbean Islands, Central and South Americans, etc. to name a few ethnic groups for you to gain some insight in the use of color and how it complements the various skin tones and hues in these groups. So if you're Caucasian and cannot entertain wearing bright colors that shouldn't preclude anyone else from doing so successfully! Now that's a HIT!
For all those that think this color combo odd or garish or loud or off in some way . . . an ANNONCEMENT: You've have a gorgeous brown-skinned African-American for your FLOTUS. I share Mrs. Obama skin tone, maybe darker, not sure. While we come in every hue, browner tones really wear bold colors well. That's why some of Mrs. Obama best compliements on this site are for very colorful, striking outfits that complement her coloring. Pastels and pedestrian neutrals have their place, but It irks me that the FLOTUS color choices are spurned because it's not what you're used to seeing on her Anglo predecessors. Different skintones, differents hair colors, different heights, and different body types. Different is not bad, less, substandard or a flaw of character or a people group. It's just different, and that's OK. (Laura Bush looks fantastic in pale, ice blue, but I don't. No big deal. I don't need Mrs. Bush to wear Royal Blue because I can.)
I love Kente cloths and the vibrants colors employed in their design. And our sisters from the African continent are beautiful when they wear them. I believe that our FLOTUS can wear almost anything well, but she is radiant in vibrant color.
Embrace diversity, folks.
Love Michele but don't care for these colors. They seem more appropriate for her girls.
Not sure who was comparing Nancy Regan to MO - but that person just needs to "say no" to whatever it is they are doing.
Happy New Year !
Very well put jestina. I've always found ways by either accessorizing with bright colors or wearing the brightest, most colorful sweaters, etc. during the fall and winter months. The winter months atmosphere is usually so dreary, that I have always used color as my pick-me-up.
I, personally, choose to CELEBRATE our differences collectively, instead of constantly honing in on how long someone wore their hair in a certain hairstyle or not; thoughts I didn't entertain during my grade school years nor even in my college years. I had more constructive thoughts to contemplate; as I do now, since my time and words are of the utmost valuable to me. If there's something that I don't care for, in terms of fashion; means it won't work for me, and very well may work for someone else. I have no problem nor fear when it comes to stating what I don't like. Yet, beating a loud drum by making continual, uncouth remarks about what Mrs. Obama is wearing gets real old, fast! I can affirm or not my view with decorum.
We must always change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves; otherwise we harden. -Goethe
I refuse to become stalmate in my life and in my views. Thank you Mrs. T. for allowing me to comment.
Ugh! me no like.
As mszonian524 and kentashi have so eloquently stated upthread, some of the comments about the First Lady's color combination actually betray ignorance about the vibrant and complex melded colors that brown and black people wear around the world. I come from West Africa and our fabrics and decor feature sophisticated color combinations such that I barely realized that Michelle's dress combo was supposed to be a big deal. It isn't. You just need to look at Asian, Middle Eastern, North African, Sub-Saharan African, Caribbean, and Central and South American cultures to realize that the tangerine/teal combo is very common in jewelry, architecture, and fabric colors. This dress sang Moroccan mosaic ambiance to me. No surprise.
You all just need to whip out your color wheels from art class to see that this is a perfect complementary warm color scheme (red sits directly across the wheel from blue and when yellow is added to both you get turquoise/teal sitting across from orange). The silky shantung texture of the dress plays off nicely with the matte softness of the cropped cardigan with matching shoes.
How anyone can find fault with this color combo against the smooth buttery glow of her brown skin is beyond me. Dark skins enable sophisticated color blends to really pop. And that's what the majority of this earth's population does; wear color abundantly!!!
Not that she asked me, but maybe just some turquoise jewelry and not the turquoise shoes and sweater would have been better.
This makes me wish I had cable again.
@CMB Not much of FLOTUS...it was a good show, to me anyway because I watch that show occasionally. The WH chef Cristea Comerford and Bobby Flay won. Mrs. O was glowing, she of course greeted the chefs and told them the secret ingredient (Anything from th WH garden). U thought she would actually eat the food but she was only on screen for about a minute. Needless to say the Food Network Chefs were smitten with mrs. O
What an elegant and dignified First Lady we have!!! How lucky are you America to have snagged this wonderful First couple. The whole world is envious and in awe!!
I was being diplomatic by using IMO because I find neutrals much more elegant on ANYBODY. I love her when she wears the colors I like on her: neutrals and rich jeweltones. This color combination just isn't elegant on ANYONE, and that's my opinion. And that is my taste; we all have our individual tastes. So do I enjoy looking at it? No. Do others like it? Obviously, yes. I don't think this wonderful blog is meant for posters to cut each other down. Each of us is entitled to an opinion; I am stating mine, as I am sure that you have yours on her ensemble. I don't like it--with metallic bronze yes, with turquoise no. It would be good to wear with a group of children in the primary grades. It also has a look that is almost from the islands--like the plumage of a exotic bird.
By the way, I would LOVE to see Mrs. O in bronze metallic--very complementary to her lovely skin. She is blessed with beautiful skin and hair. What a classy look that would be on her. And worn with her pearls!
On and on with the bright colours...
This site is filled with a bunch of Maybury residing GRANDMAS!
Coming from one fan of vivid and vibrant colour: She looks FAB! And would totally rock the streets on NY on a spring day, especially Sunday brunch.
zizi - Thank you so much for enriching us with your West African approach to color and for offering your knowledge of fashion and color from around the world. I'm grateful to you and to mszonian524 and kentashi for the education you offer to those of us with white skin who tend to choose more subtle hues because we don't have the vibrant skin tone to carry more vivid colors.
I think some of us white posters are so accustomed to seeing the always-before white First Lady in more traditional fashion and color that we think this black First Lady must stick to that mold. I'm grateful she doesn't. I admire her greatly for wearing the colors a fashion-forward black woman would wear. It encourages all of us to take a fresh new look at color in our wardrobes. What a liberation and validation it must be for the millions of black women and children around the world!
I think that embracing the first black First Lady means embracing and being enriched by the color combinations not usually chosen by white women. I think it's entirely refreshing and delightful. There are so many reasons to celebrate this original, authentic, fun-loving First Lady.
Loved the dress color, but OMGoodness what are they doing to her waist? This dress looks like a June Cleaver on drugs - the huge high waist and stiff pleats do nothing for her figure - especially in shots from the side during the show. Also, the proportion of sweater to dress is off given the tremendous contrast in color. Mrs. O is a gorgeous woman and works hard on her body; I think her dressers should choose more carefully.
I think African-American women look gorgeous in African-cloth fashions--I used to have an incredible book that even interpreted what the symbols stood for. I think it's something that only a Black woman could pull off, since it's a reflection of their ethnicity. The fabrics are handwoven and colored, and many of the dyes come from natural elements. Sometimes I see older Black ladies all dressed up for church in their African-style ensembles, complete with appropriate headwear (such as turbins).
I think Michelle would be lovely in some dresses that incorporated these symbols and colors into their design; like, the dress could be in a Kente cloth, or the shawl or jacket could be in that print.
Someone posted earlier that orange's complentary color is blue on the color wheel, and that's exactly right. I still don't find it an attractive combination; just as I don't like red and green except at Christmas. But that's me. Personally what I like in fashion is when a person dresses for their skin color, hair color, and body type, and then choose something that makes you look at their FACE first and then the outfit; like, the person wearing the clothes rather the clothes wearing the person.
I just LOVE this website, and it certainly has revived my interest in contemporary clothing. I loved the lemongrass color on Mrs. O for the inauguration; it complemented her skintone so well. I personally think it would've looked fantastic with boots (like the way she wore her Narcisco camel-and-black ensemble in Oslo). Black books and longish black gloves with that glittery pin on the collar woulda upped the ante, for my taste. I love her in deep, rich colors and in orange and very deep purple and garnet, and I love her especially in neutrals (my personal favorite).
I used to like Mrs. Laura Bush in her darker ensembles (which complemented her hair color), and I loved Condaleeza Rice's long black coat and boots, and in her suits for her Secretary of State look. But neither of them was "fun" in the way that Mrs. O is--I LOVED her dress for the NATO summit dinner and wish I could find one like it! (The black Alaia dress with the little bolero-adorable and looked so good on her !!!) I like her choices much more than Carla Bruni's--in pictures of the two together, you look at Mrs. O first.
She is SO fun to talk about and admire !!! I can't wait to see what she wears this year!
Regarding vibrant colors it is not only the First Lady but also if you look at The Queen of England she wears bold and vibrant colors. In fact if you observe European Royalty they also dress in vibrant colors similar to Michelle and African American women.
@zizi,
I'm with you a 1000% girl. Great commentary, and educational, too.
@ Willow,
As a white woman you should not be afraid of color. Many white women wear bright, vibrant colors with style and attitude. I suggest you try a few pieces first, a vibrant scarf, for example to combine with one of your more pastel outfits. If it works for you, then you can step off the ledge and add other pieces to your repertoire. It could be fun! Also, I'll say the same to the much darker sisters out there who are also afraid to wear bright colors because someone along the line told them they were too dark to wear bright colors and should stick with pastels. That's nonsense; step out of your comfort zones and try something radical like a killer pair of stiletto heels in red, or a cashmere sweater or pencil skirt in bright jewel tones. It's time to go shopping, girl.
This is not a current picture. The show was taped months ago, so that is why her hair is down. Must say I love these colors....it makes me feel happier just looking at Mrs. O. Mrs. T. posted this pic some time ago, and those colors looked great then.
What's with all of the commenters using caps recently? It's like fingernails on a chalkboard!
I think she looks lovely in the outfit. Not many people can pull off these colors but somehow they look great on her. She's always seems to be able to put together outfits that look comfortable but not too casual. It's a delight for me to see what she wears.