En Route to India
Friday, November 5, 2010 at 11:28 AM 
Top: Kevin Lamarque / Reuters, Bottom: J. Scott Applewhite / AP Photo
The Obamas are off to India! Following an overnight flight, the president and first lady will begin their tour of India tomorrow in Mumbai, where they will honor the victims of the Mumbai terrorist attacks. Also on the schedule are a business summit, Diwali celebrations, and, of course, dinners with Prime Minister Signh and his wife Gursharan Kaur.
Leaving the White House this morning, Mrs. O wore a floral blue dress paired with a textured camel-colored coat and knee length black boots. Compared to ensembles worn at the start of previous overseas trips (see here), this outfit doesn't have the same level of formality. Perhaps the first lady is consciously trying to avoid perceptions of extravagance? Or just traveling in comfort?
Regardless, there is bound to be exciting fashion in the days ahead, which will almost certainly pay tribute to Indian culture in some form. On Monday night there will be a state dinner in Delhi, which may be a prime occasion for Mrs. O to wear another of her fabulous Naeem Khan gowns. Yes, there are "three or four amazing" others, per this November 2009 WSJ interview. Or might Mrs. O honor her host nation by wearing a sari?
Whenever Mrs. O travels abroad, a passage from one of my favorite books, Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years, springs to mind:
"Jacqueline Kennedy used clothing as theatrical device, dressing in subtle complement to her host nation. When she visited Versailles the Parisian couturier Givenchy was given due credit as the the author of her fresh but regal ensemble. For a trip to Mexico Cassini created a collection of outfits for her in appropriate "sun colors." And for the tour of India and Pakistan Jacqueline Kennedy assembled a wardrobe from various fashion houses with the panache of a costume designer. Its vivid palette was that of Mughal miniatures, and the reflective fabrics conferred an additional brilliance."
Mrs. O is setting a similar legacy with her thoughtful, carefully planned fashion choices during travel abroad. In a country with its own rich fashion heritage, it will be exciting to watch how she dazzles India.
A detailed schedule of the president and first lady's itinerary: [WSJ]
A few thoughts on what Mrs. O might wear in India: [WSJ]
Update: Mrs. O wears a Moschino sunburst print dress above.
Moschino
Reader Comments (26)
That coat looks REALLY special! I hope we can get a better view of it!
Can't wait to see Michelle's traveling wardrobe and the debut of a new gown. She always kicks it up several notches when traveling.
Knee-high boots comfortable? She had better change to compression socks on the plane to avoid dvts.
The only word I can use to describe this outfit is "bizarre."
Wow! What a beautiful ensemble. I want to know where I can buy that dress, coat, and boots.
Mrs T. there is a correction to be made. In India the President holds the first citizenship and not the Prime Minister. Therefore, Mrs. Kaur is not the First Lady. Our President Mrs. Pratibha Patil, is the first lady.
This outfit is a total disaster ,,,,, what the heck happened?
Mrs. T--Your second WSJ link is a very nice interview with you which you don't point out. You are way too modest.
The first link, however, is very sarcastic and practically makes fun of this important trip that the president is making and does a poor job of setting out the agenda. To get a detailed agenda each day go to whitehouse.gov and click on the President's Schedule. It does not report ahead of each day and does not give the First Lady's agenda.
I found an Indian press article that gives a fair amount of detail for the first 2 days and tells where Michelle is going, but not what she will be doing when the President meets with the CEOs.
http://www.newkerala.com/news/world/fullnews-77733.html
On fashion, I like each piece separately very well, but not sure yet about putting them together. I'm not a good judge of fashion and usually when I feel that way at first, the outfit grows on me and I come to like it.
@Sharon - It's the Wall Street Journal afterall, heaven forbid President Obama is given due respect or credit for anything.
I love the way President Obama holds the First Lady protectively as they walk towards the plane. It's always so lovely to behold.
She's just gotten off the plane! SHE LOOKS AMAZING!
I am with Mrs. C. Although I do like the blue top (or dress), that deliberately wrinkly coat has got to go! The color of the coat is less than flattering on Mrs. O., unlike the top.
Icon or no icon, now THAT is a fashion statement. Designer(s)?
Here's what she wore touching down in Mumbai:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1327192/Michelle-Obamas-Mumbai-chic-First-Lady-makes-mid-air-outfit-change-India-arrival.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
Can you ID the dress?
This is a peculiar combination, and knee high boots (photos at HuffPost show that they hit about mid-knee ) are not comfortable for long flights. Some wear boots to avoid having to pack them, but this is certainly not a consideration here. So I am stumped. The rather "housedressy" dress is certainly comfortable - but some knit pants would have been more so. The coat is meh. Messy looking.
They do not fly commercial, so the issues the rest of us have to consider are off the table. They fly in luxurious walk about comfort. Can move about, change clothes, wear what they want when they want. So when I see a strange outfit like this one, I wonder.
The coat is hot. You need to see a closeup. Very nice. Hope the obamas have a lovely trip
Here's the coat from the rear - not a good look on anyone:
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0fuL5SlcyLdK2?q=michelle+obama
Here is the arrival photo - much better:
http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/13001/slide_13001_176522_large.jpg?1289050846686
More photos from the landing:
http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/13001/slide_13001_176529_large.jpg?1289051776150
http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/13001/slide_13001_176520_large.jpg?1289051880006
@BeeGee, you project authority, but in my mind you lack substance on the fluidity of fashion. Darling, why be so rigid?
The crumpled coat grabbed my attention right off the bat. Is Junya Watanabe responsible for this piece?
Wasn't BeeGee the same person who raved about the ugly green sweater some woman was wearing?
I'm with you Dasie, and what if she took the boots off once on board. It's Air Force One, she has to wherewithal to make herself comfortable......
@A., I'm not sure, but she once proclaimed that one of Mrs. O's dresses was an inch from elegance. At that point, I rendered her commentary gibberish.
Not loving the pieces together but I love the boots and I adore the coat. Nommy. I'm sure the boots are the ones from the day after the Inauguration Ball...... Mrs O wore a skirt with a ruffle around the hem (in black) and her hair up, and these boots. I'm sure of it. (If I'm wrong...... sue me.)
This is worse than that horrible outfit she wore in London! (the orange aprony thing) I know there are many of you who would defend her if she wore a potato sack, but get real folks! She represents our country and frankly it is embarassing to see her in some of these outfits. She needs someone with a critical eye to say no sometimes. You can still like someone and give constructive advice.
I love the boots. They are so chic looking and not at all First Ladyish. She makes her own fashion statement. Michelles sense of style is that she wears what she likes and haters be damned!
Does anyone know who makes the boots or jacket? I love them both!
I`m also thinking Junya Watanabe about the coat, definitely Asian-inspired. Wrinkly coats especially are huge in Japan right now!!!
I dont get the coat at all. The boots? I thought they were leggings--meh. The dress is brilliant in its color and flash, but its needs structure. Without some lining or heavier fabric, that dress will always look slept in.